wandering blue Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 At least Hornby, Bachmann or a.n.other will only have to make 1 plastic kit to suit every UK location: Make up your own mind if you like this national uniformity. Broke across the press yesterday: https://www.ribacompetitions.com/reimaginingrailwaystations/preferred.html https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/network-rail-and-riba-announce-railway-station-design-competition-winner From network rail site: Edinburgh-based architectural practice, 7N Architects, has won a competition to shape Britain’s future railways, Network Rail and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) have announced. The contest sought architects, engineers and designers from across the world to reimagine how small to medium-sized stations can improve the travel experience of the millions of passengers who use Britain’s railway. The competition attracted more than 200 entries from designers based in 34 different countries. 7N’s winning entry considers the needs of both passengers and their local communities. The station frontage includes an eye-catching clock tower, which serves a strong civic purpose as a local landmark and a natural meeting place for social activities. Beyond the station entrance, sweeping platform canopies - elegant and refined in feature - provide shelter for passengers. The modular station design can be integrated into a variety of locations that complement the local landscape. Panel members thought the winning concept had been cleverly pared back to create an open and flexible system which, with minimum component parts, would transform people’s experience of the station whilst aligning with Network Rail’s aspirations to be carbon neutral by 2050. The design cleverly incorporates the capacity to generate renewable energy to provide most of the station's power by using translucent photo-voltaic panels which provide shelter from rain and dappled shade. 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Nick C Posted May 12, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 12, 2021 Well, it'll certainly transform people's experience of using the station. Not for the better though! Apart from the tiny litle "bus shelter" on each platform there's no actual shelter there - that roof clearly wasn't thought up by anyone who has actually used a British railway station in winter, with a gale blowing along the platforms bringing horizontal rain... There's also no facilities for staff (presumably no staff - and with barriers, therefore impossible for many disabled people to use), no toilets, no catering outlets, no platform signage (the one on the roof won't be visible from on-train). If it were to replace the rural stations that have already been decimated to just a platform and bus-shelter it might be ok, but the drawing suggests it'll actually be to replace those fairly busy small-town stations that currently do still have some facilities left. So it looks like they've considered the needs ot both passengers and local communities, by totally ignoring them in favour of cutting cost... Though saying that, it does look like one group in the community are well catered for - bike thieves, with all those exposed cycle racks... 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium John M Upton Posted May 12, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 12, 2021 What a load of old cobblers... 2 2 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Welly Posted May 12, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 12, 2021 Very ambitious development proposal for the Widmerpool area! https://www.google.com/maps/place/Widmerpool/@52.8480297,-1.0675927,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x4879dad0bbbb67eb:0x66f3d5de9fe4e6f8!8m2!3d52.8427047!4d-1.0505485 I love the draft enchancement and crem chimney design of the new station.... 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nearholmer Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 (edited) My first reaction was that it doesn't offer shelter from the wind, but I think it might include a longitudinal glass partition/screen that should eliminate cross winds, I'm less sure about longitudinal winds though. A few things I like about it: the clear sight-lines with few "nooks and crannies" in which lurkers can lurk, which create a threatening atmosphere for a lot of customers after dark particularly; the "chimney", which is a really good "flag", giving the place a "street presence"; the way the passenger flow appears to work. Overall, it reminds me strongly of suburban stations on the Copenhagen S-train, which work really well for "board, alight, transfer-mode", which is what stations are actually for. And, to me, it looks like a concept drawing, showing the general form of the design, so I would expect it to be used as a "box of lego", with particular stations being configured to suit individual sites/needs. As to access for disabled users, its a legal requirement, so although it might not be immediately obvious, I'd be gobsmacked if it wasn't there. how JC can tell whether or not it has toilets in the version shown, I'm not at all sure. Edited May 12, 2021 by Nearholmer 2 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
APOLLO Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 If they are made of Aluminium I hope the roof doesn't collapse / blow away in a strong wind !!!! Brit15 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodenhead Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 Well I am just glad a place the size of Widmerpool is finally being reconnected with the national network. Such a large place as can be seen by the image and no trains currently. As a local though, I am appalled that this railway line will slice Widmerpool in two and only those in possession of a valid ticket will be able to use the solitary footbridge between the two sides of this great place. However, it will keep those stupid West Widmerpoolers and their Segueways apart from the much fitter East Widmerpoolers on their scooters. 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nearholmer Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 10 minutes ago, APOLLO said: If they are made of Aluminium I hope the roof doesn't collapse / blow away in a strong wind !!!! If ever any get built, it'll be interesting to see what the materials are. Given that it is stated to be environmentally sound, there might be a fair bit of wood and/or recycled plastic in it. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Kris Posted May 12, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 12, 2021 That is one ugly station. It looks like they took their inspiration from the Hornby stations from the 70's. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wheatley Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 WeIl this was Network Rail"s 'concept' for Kirkstall Forge, lots of sleek modern glass screening and a funky covered atrium thing. https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/planning-permission-sought-for-new-station-at-kirkstall-forge ... and this is what we got: content://com.android.chrome.FileProvider/images/screenshot/1620854192738264936046.jpg Bision beams, tin cladding and a bit of B&Q powder coated fencing. And a few block pavers, there's posh. 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BernardTPM Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 (edited) 2 hours ago, Kris said: That is one ugly station. It looks like they took their inspiration from the Hornby stations from the 70's. Do you mean the 'modern' range from the 1960s? I was thinking much the same myself. Hornby went back to old-fashioned in the (later) 1970s. Edited May 12, 2021 by BernardTPM 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Co-tr-Paul Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 Triang TT. T25...... !!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SZ Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 I've not seen a contemporary structure that looks better, there is something of the West Coast Modernisation about it. The disability access stuff will make it look hideous of course. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Railpassion Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 Somehow I think we've been here before. It didn't end well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsforever Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 What a waste of money not fit for service ,did anyone notice the bus in the background looks like an lt Leyland National. Its not April Fools Day is it ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatB Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 In many ways I quite like it, and think it has a great deal of merit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wombatofludham Posted May 13, 2021 Share Posted May 13, 2021 1 hour ago, lmsforever said: What a waste of money not fit for service ,did anyone notice the bus in the background looks like an lt Leyland National. Its not April Fools Day is it ? Looks more like an Optare Excel (1995-2004) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optare_Excel But is more likely a generic modern low floor impression with a pod for the batteries/hydrogen/bionic duckweed just used to illustrate integrated transport. I like the design, simple, attractive, and with Covid likely to be around for the foreseeable, the medics advise plenty of fresh air and ventilation is one of the best defences against catching it. I'd rather have an open station with no dangerous places for thugs to hide, plenty of ventilation, space to move away from other people (not a people fan) and if you are going out in the winter, you should be dressed appropriately. Don't forget, in the 1980s and 1990s many PTEs, and other agencies investing in new stations, were only allowed to open unstaffed wooden platforms with an Abacus bus shelter on them as the Government thought railways outside London and Intercity were a dead duck and should be replaced with privateer buses costing the taxpayer nothing. That attitude in Whitehall hasn't completely gone away despite what the spin might lead you to believe. At least this, especially if it can be made as a kit of standardised mass produced parts to reduce costs, creates a positive impression of modern rail travel. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Classsix T Posted May 13, 2021 Share Posted May 13, 2021 Damn, I had "urine", "graffiti", "cctv" and "guano" for buzzword bingo... C6T. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted May 13, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 13, 2021 Lego has got a lot to answer for! Mike. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Kris Posted May 13, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 13, 2021 7 hours ago, BernardTPM said: Do you mean the 'modern' range from the 1960s? I was thinking much the same myself. Hornby went back to old-fashioned in the (later) 1970s. Those are the ones. I'd not realised that they were so old. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nearholmer Posted May 13, 2021 Share Posted May 13, 2021 Be interesting to hear what those who condemn it would build instead. Designing a station that pleases customers, and functions well, without costing a fortune to build, and keeps well, without spending ten fortunes on maintenance, is no easy job. 2 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busmansholiday Posted May 13, 2021 Share Posted May 13, 2021 5 hours ago, wombatofludham said: Looks more like an Optare Excel (1995-2004) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optare_Excel But is more likely a generic modern low floor impression with a pod for the batteries/hydrogen/bionic duckweed just used to illustrate integrated transport. Looks more like a left hand drive MAN Lion's City (A21) to me. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted May 13, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 13, 2021 There appears to be no room for staff to put all their stuff either although there is a gate line so it must be a staffed station. It does make you wonder if the people on these boards have actually stood out on an exposed platform in the winter? Even in the covered booking hall at our station it’s freezing in winter as it open at both ends, the auto doors being almost permanently open as people pass through and mill around. The staff comfort is provided by a radiant heater on the wall above. Funny that the station managers all retreat to their office 90% of the time when it’s cold . . . 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium phil-b259 Posted May 13, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 13, 2021 26 minutes ago, Nearholmer said: Be interesting to hear what those who condemn it would build instead. Designing a station that pleases customers, and functions well, without costing a fortune to build, and keeps well, without spending ten fortunes on maintenance, is no easy job. Some of NSEs rebuilds were pretty good. Abbey Wood https://www.kentrail.org.uk/abbey_wood_2.htm Headcorn https://www.kentrail.org.uk/headcorn_2.htm Sidcup https://www.kentrail.org.uk/Sidcup 2.htm Lee https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lee_Station_-_geograph.org.uk_-_49888.jpg Oxted https://www.derekhayward.co.uk/OxtedtoEastGrinstead/Oxted-Station-Oxted-Viaduct Sanderstead http://rhaworth.me/tq/05/tq3262_296.jpg Dorchester South http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~owend/interests/rail/stnpages/dorchestersouth.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BernardTPM Posted May 13, 2021 Share Posted May 13, 2021 9 hours ago, Co-tr-Paul said: Triang TT. T25...... !!! Southern style Art-Deco, complemented their Merchant Navy perfectly. Raised clocks have often featured in station design because it is a good idea. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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