Train guard's station gallery is 'dream come true'

A railway conductor and artist, who once painted for the King, has opened an art gallery at a railway station on the line he used to work on.

Paul Mirfin, 51, worked for Northern Rail on the Leeds to York line via Harrogate for 23 years but took up painting during the Covid pandemic.

Since then, his impressionist oil paintings have become his main source of income and last month he moved into his own art gallery and studio at the Grade II listed Knaresborough Railway Station.

He said the location was a "dream come true - I've got art, trains, right in front of me".

Paul, 51, said the location for his gallery and studio was "perfect".

"People can come and look at my art and the people off the trains that have known me for years, they've been so supportive," he said.

"It's a real community space as well."

Originally from Sheffield, Paul met his wife when she was a passenger on the route he worked on.

The son of two artists himself, Paul and his family now live in Knaresborough.

He said taking up painting during Covid helped him with the anxiety he was experiencing.

"I picked up a brush and I realised that hours had gone by without thinking of anything because I was just painting.

"I put it on Facebook as 'this is my project' and somebody said 'how much?'"

Paul's new career also saw him commissioned to paint a work for the King in 2023.

"A gentleman asked to meet me in Harrogate and he said 'I want to commission you to paint a picture for my friend whose 75th birthday is coming up'."

Paul said the man had attended school with the then Prince Charles and had requested an image of a tree planted by him in Harrogate, which was now in full bloom.

He said the picture was duly "sent down to Clarence House" and he received a letter confirming its arrival and that he would receive another letter later.

"So maybe I'll be going down there."

Paul's art business is not the only firm based on platform two at Knaresborough Station.

There is a pub and antiques shop next door.

Northern, which owns the site, said dozens of stations across its network were similar and became "true community assets and destinations in their own right".

Alex Hornby, customer and commercial director, said the gallery was a "fantastic addition".

"We're really proud of Paul and his incredible talents, and equally delighted that he's decided to open his gallery at Knaresborough station."

As well as his gallery and studio, a number of Paul's works are printed on display boards opposite his premises, on platform one.

He is also offering oil painting lessons, but hopes his pupils will arrive by train.

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