Station Upgrades and 'Friends of.......'

[Mallard60022]

In a recent post somewhere on RMW, about Unions etc, that got locked thank goodness, I was unable to point out to someone, before the locking, the benefits of recent upgrades to Retford Station.

In brief, if I remember it correctly, the thinking of the poster was that maybe the 'Railway' generally is in danger of over upgrading things (infrastructure?) at large cost that may not be recouped or giving a good cost return for the amount of local use.

Well, at Retford (36E), the recent installation of a Covered and accessible walkway from Platform 1 to the Platforms 3 & 4 Low Level areas, including a Lift to the Sheffield bound Platform, have been completed. It is going to provide a huge improvement for passenger access and comfort and has been a joint project between NR and several Local Groups, including funding. It was and is a well planned and communally agreed project that has been a long time in the making. Usage on the Sheffield Lincoln/ Gainsborough Line is now catered for with newer and much more comfortable Trains and numbers are high and growing during the 'Commuting hours' and serves a large community of Students and local workers as well as 'casual users that favour a Train to Sheffield rather than a dreadful drive and parking nightmare at the far end. Even the Parliamentary Satyrday only services to Cleethorpes are popular, especially at school holiday time. There is also the now the 1/2 hourly services most of the day at 36E, with a fast limited stops and a slower all Stations service to & from Sheffield. Lincoln Services are hourly and run quite late too.

Yup, I agree that this line isn't a huge earner for the TOCs BUT it provides a brilliant and vital cross country service locally and NR rail and the ECLM OOLR recognise this.

Finally, as with many other Stations now, 36E has just started a Friends Of Group. The Station Staff have, for all the years I have lived here, been brilliant, friendly and top notch Professionals. The TOC's Staff on every stopper are also top notch and enjoy the brief atmosphere of Professional efficiency that exists here at 36E. Long may all the services here continue to blossom and perhaps a couple more stoppers to and from the Big City might just be a bonus?

Oh yes, Werrington Junction upgrade; bloody superb job and a credit to NR and partners. Waste of dosh? Nah, that is an example of the railway developing in the UK and it isn't in the bl00dy South !

You ae welcome.

Phil