Peter Bedding Posted December 26, 2012 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Part One The first line into Newport was the Cowes and Newport Junction Railway (opened 1862). This original station was situated a short walk to the north of the Town Centre, and adjacent to the west bank of the Town Quay. Subsequent railway expansion (to Sandown, to Ryde, and in due course to Freshwater) caused the construction of major viaducts to east and west. Firstly, an extract from the early 20th century OS 25inch map:- From the Station Approach. The station buildings and offices were rather plain in a red Island brick. Despite this, however, the geography, the intricacies of the junctions, the viaducts, and the "water features" all created an unusual (if not unique) character. Next: From the Platform Side Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Bedding Posted December 26, 2012 Author Share Posted December 26, 2012 From the Platform Side:- A major part of the visual appeal (to me at least), were the sightlines that could be had beween the various buildings to a separate feature elsewhere. The station was close to the Quay. Next: More Photos of the Platform Side Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Bedding Posted December 26, 2012 Author Share Posted December 26, 2012 Some further photos of the Station Building, from the Main Platform side, and from under the Island Platform:- By the time I had started my survey, the station site had become host to the assets of the Loco Society. and the Steam Railway Society. The stalwart members of the preservation societies had to overcome considerable obstacles, before they moved to Havenstreet. And that was only the start. Some of the ex SECR and ex LBSCR stock can be seen, and amongst the "assets" may be seen parts of a 12 inch to 1 foot DIY kit for an O2. Just where would you start? Next: From the Loco/Carriage Shed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruffalo Posted December 26, 2012 Share Posted December 26, 2012 These bring back fond memories for me as I grew up there, leaving in 1963. I remember the steam operations and the old Brickwoods (which became part of Strongs of Romsey I believe) Brewery being in operation. When the tide was out, the Town Quay stank to high heaven! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Bedding Posted December 26, 2012 Author Share Posted December 26, 2012 From the Loco/Carriage Shed (remains by this time): Next: The Medina Viaduct Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Bedding Posted December 26, 2012 Author Share Posted December 26, 2012 The Medina Viaduct, and some warehouses: And from the other (Coppins Bridge) end: This passageway ( a public right of way ran through the viaduct arches from Coppins Bridge to the east quay. To be continued. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Bedding Posted December 27, 2012 Author Share Posted December 27, 2012 The remaining warehouses in 1976:- This final group of pictures are not of high quality, but they still capture a townscape that has now largely disappeared. I was standing on the new bypass, which at this point coincided with the trackbed of the viaduct. The land access to the buildings in the next three photos was from Sea Street, east of the Quay. From the Quay, looking westwards:- And along Sea Street towards the Quay, (and "The Dolphin" PH) And across "Little London":- I hope that the above views indicate part of the context in which the station was built, and operated, and may even help towards a scenic model (or two). I have oft regretted that I did not get as far as extending the survey to the west, out to the Towngate/Hunny Hill viaduct. and the further network of passageways, water way, mill pond, St Cross' Mill, and the old brewery. Some of this may be found (and illustrated) on line, but will be subject to copyright. Happy New Year!! PB Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
burgundy Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 Peter What a great photo survey! I particularly like the riverside warehouses which have, presumably, now been swept away? Best wishes Eric Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Bedding Posted December 27, 2012 Author Share Posted December 27, 2012 Peter What a great photo survey! I particularly like the riverside warehouses which have, presumably, now been swept away? Best wishes Eric Hello Eric, Yes, much has gone, and I would not wish to appear churlish if criticising the road "improvements". Progress has to have a price, and a row of decrepit, 2 centuries-old rat-infested warehouses that have outlived their time cannot claim to survive. One cluster of warehouses by the Harbour have survived, have been very sympathetically restored, and made into a tourist attraction (And I can testify to a nice restaurant). But many of my visual reference points have gone, and a dual carriageway looks like any dual carriageway. Ho hum. PB Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWCR Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 Hello I can remember the Brewery building burning down (the large building in the last picture) The dual carriageway was stationary with people watching the fire. As stated much off this area has gone. The other side of the railway viaduct had Newport Gas Works, also now gone. The whole station area would make a fantastic model but well beyond anything I have space for. Pete Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Bedding Posted December 28, 2012 Author Share Posted December 28, 2012 Hello I can remember the Brewery building burning down (the large building in the last picture) The dual carriageway was stationary with people watching the fire. As stated much off this area has gone. The other side of the railway viaduct had Newport Gas Works, also now gone. The whole station area would make a fantastic model but well beyond anything I have space for. Pete Hello Pete, I can't remember now in which year the Brewery burned down, but I can remember the scandalous rumours which spread as quickly as the fire! There did seem to be a time when redundant commercial/industrial buildings on the Island seemed prone to conversion to smoke. I agree with your implication that the entire station is just too big to model; one would have to invent a smaller version with a parallel universe history. That could be fun; cherry-picking one's favourite details from history or geography on a priority basis. I would start with Little London, a shortened Sandown line viaduct, and just a few warehouses around a water feature, and see where that story would lead. Some old Triang clerestory coaches might help the rolling stock problem. Some r-t-r O2s might spur further ideas. PB Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
burgundy Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 The whole station area would make a fantastic model but well beyond anything I have space for. Pete Agreed - three different liveries, two different lots of Terriers, two different lots of Beyer Peacock tanks, some really ancient carriages and the ratty warehouses in the background! Pity about the space. Best wishes Eric Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisG Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 My word! Having just joined RMWeb I searched for "Isle of Wight" and found this marvellous collection. I am building a model of Newport and these photos are a treasure trove......... Finding them has made my day. No! Decade! Chris Gardner Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Bedding Posted January 22, 2013 Author Share Posted January 22, 2013 My word! Having just joined RMWeb I searched for "Isle of Wight" and found this marvellous collection. I am building a model of Newport and these photos are a treasure trove......... Finding them has made my day. No! Decade! Chris Gardner Thanks Chris, your kind comments are much appreciated. At the time I took the photos, I was very conscious that "development" had already altered much of the landscape; many buildings were out of fashion, and were being demolished without regard to the record. Road improvements in the region of the new bus station required the demolition of a number or 18th century terrace cottages which had marvellous architectural detail. Gone! There is or was an online website detailing and lamenting the clearances of Newport's pubs. One particular sense of loss is for the network of footpaths, and mill-leats around St Cross Mill. This mill building is still there, but it is no longer in context. And even worse, I completely overlooked it when carrying out my photo session, and no one to blame but me All power to your elbow with your plan to model Newport; I would very much appreciate details of progress. PB Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium DLT Posted February 10, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 10, 2013 Wonderful evocative photos Peter, thankyou very much for sharing them. All the best, Dave.T Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Reichert Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 WOW! Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.