THE World Cup winning Wemyss Bay station has been presented with plaque after being named the nation’s best loved railway stop.

The iconic travel hub was presented with a plaque by broadcaster and historian Tim Dunn to commemorate its recent win in Rail Delivery Scotland and Community Rail Network’s World Cup of Stations 2023.

Wemyss Bay surpassed 47 other stations in several rounds of public voting to claim its title.

The ScotRail-managed station won the award through its remarkable achievements including its outstanding volunteer work, the development of a vibrant and colourful community garden and the establishment of the station bookshop which resonated with voters, earning them widespread admiration and support.

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Local politicians, rail officials, volunteers from the Friends of Wemyss Bay station group and members of the public all came along to watch the plaque be handed over.

Mr Dunn, who made up the shortlist of 48 stations that was put to the public vote, told the Tele that he had known the station’s stunning architecture and the hard work of its volunteers would resonate with voters.

He said: “Choosing those 48 stations was tough work, volunteers up and down the land do incredible jobs making spaces for people who need it.

“It was a tough job, but Wemyss Bay had to be in there.

“I’d been here before I’d seen the dedication of volunteers and listened to them first hand.

“They built a bookshop from scratch and the café as well.

“It is because the volunteers and the staff work so well together that everything works here.

“Wemyss Bay was designed for people but today it’s looked after by people.

“You can see looking around that this station isn’t done on the cheap, people have put love and care into it and it’s the heart of the community.

“This is the heart of Wemyss Bay, you’ve got a bookshop, a café, a bar, a transport interchange and you’re right on the edge of this electric, sustainable railway network to the rest of the country.”

The Wemyss Bay line opened in 1865, with the station being designed by James Miller in 1903 for the Caledonian Railway.

Its interior became renowned, thanks to its sixty-foot clock and circular glass roof.

Since 2009 the station has been looked after by the Friends of Wemyss Bay Station group, who run a hugely popular bookshop at the rail stop and have funded several restoration efforts.

Founding member of the group John Yellowlees was one of those who came along to see the plaque presentation.

He said: “This is the latest in a series of accolades for the station, Sir Simon Jenkins in his book about British railway stations recognised this as the finest and it was on the front cover.

“If you go to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe there is a railway station there with pictures of the finest stations in the world and Wemyss Bay is one of them, that is surely global recognition.

“This shows terrific ownership and what otherwise would have been empty rooms here are functioning spaces, places to linger and enjoy.”

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Also in attendance was ScotRail’s community development executive Tracy Stevenson, who said she was delighted to see the station perform so well.

She added: “It’s a real credit to the area, it’s a credit to the station staff and the volunteers here.

“I’m really chuffed that they won, they came second a couple of years ago so for them to get the world cup of stations this year has really just sparked enthusiasm and excitement for the station all over again.”

Inverclyde MP Ronnie Cowan said he was delighted by the station’s big win.

He said: “We don’t always appreciate what we’ve got on our own doorstep and we’ve got some iconic buildings in Inverclyde - whether it’s the big crane, the town hall building, the Free French memorial or Wemyss Bay station.

“I think Wemyss Bay station is the only one to win a world cup so far though.

“It’s genuinely recognised by railway enthusiasts almost all over the world that Wemyss Bay is this unique and quite magnificent station.”

The area’s Holyrood representative, Stuart McMillan MSP, also welcomed the good news.

He said: “It’s a wonderful achievement for Wemyss Bay, for the station and for Inverclyde.

“People locally know that Wemyss Bay station is an outstanding facility and location.

“To have this accolade voted for by the public is just wonderful and I’m really pleased for the Friends of Wemyss Bay station because they’ve put so much effort in over the years since 2009 when they were formed.

“I’m really pleased for everyone involved with the station and it’s great for Inverclyde.”