Published: Wednesday, 23rd September, 2009 12:28pm

First Class ... Wemyss Bay station is a 'grand affair'.

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An illustrated book full of historic postcards and photographs of the architectural beauty of Wemyss Bay Railway Station has been released.

"Creating an Edwardian Railway Masterpiece" - The Caledonian Railway's Wemyss Bay Station has been written and complied by Jim MacIntosh, a chairman of the Caledonian Railway Association.

To celebrate the occasion, the Friends of Wemyss Bay Station, who jointly produced the book with the Association, are having a book launch this Saturday from 10.30am-12 noon, when Jim MacIntosh will be present to sign copies of the book.

There will be live music on the concourse. There will be an opportunity to see the current exhibition of display boards featuring the Adopt a Station campaign of which the Friends of Wemyss Bay Station are a part.

While the first Wemyss Bay Station was built in 1865 to capitalise on its good position at the pier, the Caledonian General Railway decided in 1899 to rebuild it to be the spectacular site it is today.

Mr MacIntosh states in the book: "At a time of self confidence, with pride in its services and a flair for public relations, the new Wemyss Bay station and pier were to be a grand affair . The number of platforms and steamer berths would be doubled, the circulating areas increased and much of the exposure to the weather previously suffered by passengers removed.

"James Miller was the architect. When the new Wemyss Bay station and pier opened on 7 December 1903, the Caledonian Railway possessed the finest railhead on the coast, which instantly became, and has remained, one of the showpieces of Scottish and indeed British Railways."

Rare photos of the station's construction form an intriguing part of the book with revelations about the detailed building work including the building of the main screen wall which stretches around to the pier, and the major steel components, timber walls and decking being fitted for the gangway.

The front cover of the book graphically illustrates the expansive proportions of the main platform and the elegant sweeping curves.

During recent years, the Friends of Wemyss Bay Station group has been formed and has started running a second hand bookshop which is a focal points for activities, such as the establishment of containers with plants on the concourse, and holding exhibitions. The station itself has its own bar and cafe.