AN HISTORIC railway station that was to get a new lease of life at one of the world’s leading museums is still in storage after two years.

The former unused station at Raglan was officially handed to the National Museum of Wales in 2012 with the intention to rebuild on their site at St Fagan's.

Since then the dismantled building has remained in storage at a secure location. A spokesman for the museum has said that, while the project is a priority, it will not begin until after an £11.5million redevelopment of St Fagan's: Natural History Museum is completed in 2019.

The Victorian station was opened in 1876 as part of the Pontypool to Colesford line, helping the transfer of iron ore from the Forest of Dean to furnaces near Nantyglo.

Although not primarily for passengers, Raglan was used as a passenger station until 1955, when it became less viable and officially closed.

It retained many original features, such as deep casting iron rainwater gutters, wrought iron brackets for paraffin oil lamps and the platform canopy.

For years Monmouthshire council had looked at refurbishing the building, which was hidden within a council yard off the A449, but plans proved too costly at £85,000. Railway enthusiasts also approached the council but none produced a plan to remove it.

A deal was struck with St Fagan's and experts from the open-air museum want to display it there for visitors.

Councillor Bob Greenland, Monmouthshire council’s cabinet member for leisure and tourism, said: “We’re very much looking forward to seeing Raglan’s railway station recreated within the grounds of the St Fagan's National History Museum.”

“Although it will not be exhibited until the museum has been redeveloped it will be well worth the wait and St Fagan's will be a wonderful setting for such an iconic Victorian building. I’m sure the museum’s many visitors will be impressed by Raglan railway station and may be inspired to come to the area to view the castle and Monmouthshire’s many other attractions.”