Photographic Survey

[cary hill]

Leicester Station. 6th May 2013. A quick anti-clockwise (starting from the southern end) circuit of the station perimeter, whilst waiting for my daughter who had missed her connection up North.

 

 

Approaching from Tigers Way - note the ornate bridge parapet stonework and Midland Railway monogram.

 

 

Impressive Midland Railway "Heraldic Shield", the central feature of the ornate bridge parapet. It features elements taken from the Coats of Arms of six (now) cities once served by the Midland Railway. I would have liked to have included a picture of the whole parapet but traffic volumes and excessive street furniture intervened.

 

 

1892-94 Grade II Listed station frontage and port cochere. Note the infamous "Blue Tower" of Leicester in the background, apparently the tallest blue building in the East Midlands. At least the sky matches it for once.

 

 

Inside port cochere.

 

 

Interconnecting lobby between the port cochere and booking hall/retail space. The glazed tiling/brickwork is a surviving reminder of the style/patterns also used on the long demolished platform buildings

 

 

View from port cochere looking along platform 1, with the booking hall wall to the left.

 

 

Untidy rear wall of the port cochere showing the special excursion/football special exits, now tastefully blocked off, with the stairs removed on platforms 3 and 4 but re-instated on platforms 1 and 2 for use when an earlier station refurbishment was taking place. Note how the recently added First Class Lounge blends in seamlessly with the older architecture.

 

 

Platform 4 - left to right - First Class Lounge, main passenger footbridge, parcels bridge and lifts and the start of the "new" platform buildings - a fine example of the  "BR Nadir Bland" architectural style.

 

 

A slightly closer view of "new" platform buildings.

 

 

Goods avoiding line, DMU sidings, alternative footbridge giving direct passenger access from the carpark and Swain St. bridge. Note the abutments to left of the bridge, now returning to nature, which once supported a footbridge giving direct pedestrian access to the northern ends of the platforms from Swain St. The footbridge was probably abolished before 1930.

 

 

Looking down from Highfields towards the Swain St. bridge street level girder work and, on the right, the footpath which led to the locally famous "Birdcage" observation point. Is there a slightly darker patch of brickwork on the left marking where the footbridge street exit once was?

 

 

View north from Swain St, bridge, with the brown PSB bunker, centre middle distance, stabling point to the right.

 

 

Looking south from Swain St. bridge - left to right - Goods avoiding line, DMU sidings and platforms 3 and 4.

 

 

Looking south from Swain St. bridge - platforms 1 and 2 - apologies for the girder bridge appearing in some shots - my climbing and balancing skills are in rapid decline it seems.

 

 

View north under Swain St.bridge from the carpark. The wooded area, just beyond where the retaining wall ends, marks the former location of the "Birdcage" which used to give a good view of proceedings. I think the grey painted tank traps may have supported some of the pillars holding up the "Birdcage". "John" Merrick aka "The Elephant Man" had the misfortune of living for 4 years in the Union Workhouse, which was formerly situated to the rear of this location.

 

 

View North from further down the carpark. The other set of defunct footbridge abutments can be seen to the right of the Swain St. girder bridge

 

 

Looking south from the carpark. The Peco sleeper spacing tool has clearly not been used correctly here and there appear to be other issues.

 

 

A view of the redundant abutments which once supported Upper Fox Street bridge. This bridge marked the northern extent of the shorter original Campbell Street station platforms. It was replaced by Swain St. bridge, which is some 200 feet to the north, during the 1892-94 rebuild.

 

 

Former Parcels buildings on Station Street with some classier Midland remnants apparent to the rear. The covered drinking area of the pub appears to be 1892-94 rebuild judging from the cream and red brick elements. Note the white signage above the door -  "The Thomas Cook Bar" - not sure how that sits with his early "Temperance" excursions from Campbell St.

 

 

Parcels office block on the corner of Station Street/London Road - probably added sometime after the main 1892-94 rebuild.

 

 

Domed station clock - reputed to be the only surviving entirely hand wound clock on a British railway station - I wonder if it's true.

 

 

Approach from the south - much duller without the signal box and crossovers of days past.

Edited May 13, 2013 by cary hill

[Ceptic]

If you're looking for 'Basics'....then, look no further...

 

Holton Heath 11/05/2013. Ex - L&SWR. Opened* April 1916.

 

Photos taken on the trip back from the Swanage Railway's Diesel Gala.

 

Station approach.

 

Up platform's facilities.

 

Footbridge and Down platform.

 

Looking NE, up the line, towards Poole. On the left is the Holton Heath Trading Estate, now occupying most of the site of the, once, Royal Naval Cordite Works, a few buildings, of which remain.  The Works had it's own narrow gauge system, with both the locos' wheels, and the track, being made of brass. to minimise sparks.

 

* The station was originally built, solely, for use by the plant's employees, not being opened for public use until July 1924.

X marks the spot where the 'Holton Heath' signal box once stood. This box controlled the Up-side reception sidings and the access to the works.

 

 

Edited May 15, 2013 by Ceptic

[Ceptic]

Lancing - Ex -LB&SCR.  Opened 1849.

 

Plenty of poles about, but none carrying the 'Double arrow' and station name.

The existing part of the original station building, still, with it's 'Snapped' flint walls.

The contrasting extension was added in 1893.

 

The eastbound (Up) platform, now bereft of any substantial building. In the last photo, the approaching unit is approximately level with the connection to the one-time Lancing Carriage Works, which curved away, in the down direction, to the SW. The Works covered an area of some 66 acres, with it's southernmost extremities barely 150 yards from the coast / beach.

 

Edited to add more pics.

 

Lancing signal box.

Still carrying it's NSE branding.*

*At one end only.

 

And finally....What greets the weary commuter, upon his /  her return home ?...... Once, the pride of Lancing.......'The Luxor'.

Now, not quite, 'Cinema at it's Best'

Edited May 20, 2013 by Ceptic

[cary hill]

Results of a flying visit to Nuneaton (formerly "Trent Valley") Station, whilst waiting for ATS to attend to my car.

 

 

View of plain frontage, clock tower excepted, roughly north to south

 

 

Station frontage from a slightly wider angle.

 

 

Northernmost extent of the main station building. Just a small fan of short sidings for "infrastructure" use remain here as a reminder of the former goods shed and sidings.

 

 

Looking towards London from the "southern" end of Platform 1 with Leicester Road bridge blocking the view.

 

 

Looking north, taken from the same position as the previous photo, note there are a number of ageing "gricers" populating the platform ends. I assume the attraction was the passing through of a half dozen loco hauled freight services in just over half an hour, rather than the Pendolinos.

 

 

Northern end of Platform 1 with a parked "infrastructure" vehicle in the short sidings. There is another one travelling north in the distance.

 

 

Looking north from the end of Platforms 2 and 3. Note the embankment on the right carrying the Birmingham - Leicester line down from the flyover bridge, which is just discernible in the distance.

 

 

Three phases of station building :

 

 

Platform 2/3 buildings in red brick.

 

 

Platform 4/5 buildings in buff/cream brick.

 

 

21st century platform buildings of Nuneaton (slightly) Higher Level Station - platforms 6/7 for Birmingham NS to Leicester (and beyond) services.

 

 

Freight descending from the flyover.

 

 

Footbridge looking over to Platforms 2/3 from Platform 4.Note gricers still lurking about.

 

 

Footbridge looking across from Platform 1

 

 

Interior of footbridge. The new extension to Platforms 6/7 is on the right.

 

 

Looking north from the "new" footbridge.

 

 

Busy moment from Platforms 6/7 as a Birmingham bound service heads for the flyover on the left, whilst a Leicester bound service arrives on the right, meanwhile one of the WCML freights causing gricer excitement can be glimpsed on the far left. 

 

 

A slightly odd access ladder on the footbridge steps up from Platform 1

 

 

A similarly odd ladder at the top of the stairs, although I suspect this one gives access to the station clock.

 

 

View from Leicester Road bridge looking north towards the station. Apologies for the odd colouration on this one.

 

 

View from Leicester Road bridge looking south. Leicester lines on the left beginning to diverge from the WCML centre and the Bedworth and Coventry line branching off to the right.

Edited May 22, 2013 by cary hill

[Rivercider]

There are some fine surveys of interesting stations on this thread. 

Me and Mrs Rivercider visited Looe last week and I wondered how to find six views of this little station.

 

The Liskeard and Looe Railway opened for freight in 1860 and for passenger services in 1879. At the 1923 Grouping it was taken over by the GWR

I think the original station was a few yards to the south, the line then continued to sidings, run-round and the onto the quay.

A view from the car park, 15/5/2013

 

A view from the road, 15/5/2013

 

The end of the line, the Police Station, I think, stands on the site of the original station, 15/5/2013

 

153382 on arrival off the 12.15 service from Liskeard, 13/5/2013

 

The 09.04,  arrival at Looe, (153305), 15/5/2013

 

An alternative to a running in board opposite the platform, 15/5/2013

 

cheers

Edited May 22, 2013 by Rivercider

[roundhouse]

Kingswear (For Dartmouth) in South Devon

 

Taken early May Bank Holiday 2013

 

Looking over the station roof towards Dartmouth

 

Looking down onto the platform canopy

 

The station roadside and the attached hotel whihc is currently closed and for sale

 

Under the train shed

 

Looking towards the signalling centre

 

Under the platform canopy

 

The platforms

 

 

 

 

Edited May 24, 2013 by roundhouse

[Banger Blue]

Reading TMD in the lower triangle.

 

Once the new Train Care Depot has opened across the other side of the GWML and the whole Turbo fleet moved across, the way will be clear to demolish the old shed. This is occupying the area where the new freight chord will be built to enable eastbound freight trains from the B&H / Basingstoke lines to directly access the relief lines. 

 

Class 150 150002 in the maintenance shed for (I believe) GSMR fitting.

 

 

Maintenance Shed (Roads 4 & 5) 150 sat on Rd 5

 

 

Maintenance Shed (Roads 1,2 &3), Main servicing shed, A&B exams etc

 

 

Maintenance Sheds, Wash Shed & Underframe Clean Facility

 

 

 

 

[The Stationmaster]

Kingswear (For Dartmouth) in South Devon

 

Taken early May Bank Holiday 2013

 

Looking over the station roof towards Dartmouth

kw1.jpg

 

Looking down onto the platform canopy

kw2.jpg

kw3.jpg

 

The station roadside and the attached hotel whihc is currently closed and for sale

kw4.jpg

kw5.jpg

 

Under the train shed

kw6.jpg

kw7.jpg

 

Looking towards the signalling centre

kw8.jpg

kw10.jpg

 

Under the platform canopy

kw11.jpg

 

The platforms

kw9.jpg

kw12.jpg

kw13.jpg

When did that signalbox arrive - anyone know?  It would also be interesting to find out what it's for if anyone has any idea?

Edited May 24, 2013 by The Stationmaster

[The Stationmaster]

Reading TMD in the lower triangle.

 

Once the new Train Care Depot has opened across the other side of the GWML and the whole Turbo fleet moved across, the way will be clear to demolish the old shed. This is occupying the area where the new freight chord will be built to enable eastbound freight trains from the B&H / Basingstoke lines to directly access the relief lines. 

 

Class 150 150002 in the maintenance shed for (I believe) GSMR fitting.

 

RG1.jpg

 

Maintenance Shed (Roads 4 & 5) 150 sat on Rd 5

 

RG2.jpg

 

Maintenance Shed (Roads 1,2 &3), Main servicing shed, A&B exams etc

 

RG3.jpg

 

Maintenance Sheds, Wash Shed & Underframe Clean Facility

 

RG4.jpg

 

RG5.jpg

The original 3 road depot (Roads 1-3) was built for the arrival of dmus in the area and dates from the late 1950s/early '60s (alas I don't know the exact date).  Subsequently a 2 road and much shorter shed was built on its south side for loco servicing and this was later substantially rebuilt as a 3 road building intended for on-track plant maintenance although I understand the ability to refuel locos was retained.

[roundhouse]

When did that signalbox arrive - anyone know?  It would also be interesting to find out what it's for if anyone has any idea?

Its relatively new and it controls the whole line from Paignton to Kingswear.

 

Dont know exactly when it was built though.

 

Ian

[The Stationmaster]

Its relatively new and it controls the whole line from Paignton to Kingswear.

 

Dont know exactly when it was built though.

 

Ian

Seemingly it is not a signalbox (which did seem a bit odd - see below) but an office block, it was built in 2011 - 

http://www.thisisdevon.co.uk/Steam-railway-firm-new-pound-200-000-headquarters/story-13154880-detail/story.html#axzz2UE0E4xSu

 

The line's signalbox is at Britannia Crossing and is sited there specifically to be immediately adjacent to the level crossing which has potential 'blocking back' risks by road vehicle's due to its position close to the ferry.  I don't have a picture of the exterior but here is the interior wall on which the control panel was mounted in September 2009 and prior to replacement of the panel by a new one which the Railway's staff had constructed in the S&T workshop at Churston

 

[roundhouse]

Interesting. Oh well, the person who told me didn't know as much about the line as I thought he did!

[John M Upton]

Billingshurst (LB&SCR)

Arun Valley between Pulborough and Christ's Hospital.

 

I had three forty five minute breaks there on Sunday thanks to engineering works from there northwards in connection with the Arun Valley resignalling project among other currently ongoing work.

 

The main station building is at the south end of the up side and is largely original:

 

 

The main ticket office entrance:

 

The end of the old station masters house I presume, rather odd wooden porch type addition here:

 

Narrow side entrance between the station buildings and the adjacent goods shed:

 

A view of the smaller attached building next to the side access:

 

The chimney stacks:

 

The roof platform side above the canopy:

 

There is a relic from Southern Railway days lurking up there which I am willing to bet many people have never noticed:

 

Adjacent to the station building and right next to the level crossing is the original signal box:

 

The signal box is doomed, the resignalling is scheduled to go live (with the dreaded yellow peril that is axle counters) late this year, when that happens the box is going to be removed which will allow the very narrow level crossing to be widened.  I believe the box has been snapped up by a preserved line so will live on somewhere.  The last semaphore actually at the station was on the end of the up platform but was taken out when the platforms were extended a couple of years back, there is however signals to the south of here but not for much longer.

 

Next to the station building on the north end is the small goods shed now in use by a tyre fitting business it would seem and complete with a grotty old container parked at the end:

 

There is a near identical design one adjacent to the down platform attached to the north end of the main station building at Pulborough as well.

 

Platform side of the station buildings which shows the ticket office, toilets, Key Card reader (not that anyone uses them!!) and the inner side of the Goods Shed:

 

A couple of views of the northern extension of the platforms added a few years ago which meant the station now accommodates eight cars rather than just the previous very restrictive four:

 

Three views of the interior of the ticket office including the clock which is the original dating from 1859:

 

The fairly standard design footbridge at the south end, four arms extend off the ends so it is quite substantial and potential to recreate with a bit of kit bashing:

 

The Railway Inn on the south west corner of the level crossing:

 

And some general views to finish:

 

 

[Thomas]

Llanfairpwll on the Holyhead to Chester line on Anglesey, or......

 

Entrance / exit to platform 1

Towards Holyhead

Platform 2

Towards Bangor and Chester, Llanfair PC box and crossing in distance

Entrance / exit to platform 2

 

 

[Thomas]

St Helens Central, Merseyside, on the ex LNWR line from Liverpool Lime Street to Wigan, St Helens Shaw Street until 1987.

The present station replaced the 1960's built station, and opened in 2007. The line is shortly to be electrified at 25kv.

 

 

 

 

Looking towards Wigan from Liverpool bound platform

 

Lift, waiting room and stairs to bridge

 

Bridge

 

Entrance to coffee shop

 

Coffee shop

 

Stairs to platform

 

Waiting room

 

Ticket office

 

Towards Liverpool

 

Towards Wigan, St Helens signal box under Corporation Street bridge

 

Lines to Liverpool to the right, former lines to Ravenhead, Sutton Oak shed and St Helens Junction to the left

 

 

Tom

[lmsforever]

Thats one good looking station an easy one to negotiate and very light,were do the lines to the left actualy go and are they still in place beyond the fence?

[cary hill]

After the World of Glass, the Capital of Rural Food. Melton Mowbray Station dating from 1848 on the Birmingham to Peterborough line.

 

 

Extra signage at the station extolling the local food specialities.

 

 

General view of the station looking west towards Leicester, taken from the (1984?) pedestrian footbridge, which crosses the tracks in parallel with the Burton Road bridge. 

 

 

General view of the station approach from the same footbridge. Note the "gated" track crossing from the former goods yard which continues into the Pedigree Petfoods site immediately to the left of this picture. A sad reminder of the short-lived period when Pedigree Petfoods used rail transport for some of their production. There was also a level crossing in the this area until 1900, when the road overbridge replaced it.

 

 

View of the pedestrian footbridge and 1900 road overbridge with some "underneath the arches" commercial activity. The arch on the far right has the track to Pedigree Petfoods factory passing through it.

 

 

Another view of the arches. Apologies for the "bus on a bridge" cliche, but no trains were passing at the same time. Note the buffer stop cunningly disguised as a shrub on the extreme left.

 

 

View of the station building frontage - architecturally mostly in the "Leicestershire railway bland" style as usual, apart from the Portico, which was bolted on the front of the 1848 building in 1879. This was added in response to the opening of the GN & LNWR Melton North Station, which was considered to be a much more handsome building at that time.

 

 

Closer view of the Portico.

 

 

A view of the recently and attractively restored paltform canopies, looking towards Leicester. 

 

 

View of Platform 1 passenger accomodation looking quite presentable with only a couple of minor architectural bodges apparent. The canopies and their upper supporting walls date from 1871 and replaced the original overall roof, which apparently collapsed in 1861.

 

 

A view in the opposite direction.

 

 

A view showing the recently installed replacement footbridge span, which has apparently been styled to match the original 1897 design of the steps up on either side.

 

 

General view of Platform 2.

 

 

"Backstage" view of Platform 2, There used to be a wagon repair works to the immediate left. One of the buildings still survives, now it is completely hidden by mature trees, but is just visible on Google Earth.

 

 

Access ramps for wheelchair/pushchair passengers.

 

 

Looking under the pedestrian and road bridges towards Peterborough. The passing loops are still in situ and Pedigree Petfoods site is to the left of the tracks.

 

 

Looking towards Leicester showing the access, behind the signal box, to the three remaining sidings and a former loading dock. The surviving telegraph pole looks odd.

 

 

Rear of the signal box.

 

 

Rear of the signal box with some of the inset trackwork evident.

 

 

Four views of the remaining goods yard trackwork which now appears to pass through an overflow car park. Hopefully no "Weymouth Quay bouncing" will be needed here.

 

 

The end of the long loading dock.

 

 

The end of the short loading dock, not sure what the Imperial Rising Sun treatment of the stops indicates - probably graffiti ?

 

 

Gratuitous shot of a busy time at Melton, although the trains don't hide anything of significance, looking towards Leicester.

Edited June 12, 2013 by cary hill

[cary hill]

Market Harborough Station (1884 rebuild) on the Midland Mainline approximately midway between Leicester and Kettering.

 

 

Station approach looking East. The retaining wall once had the LNWR cattle pens immediately behind it. Note the surviving bridge abutments, which once supported a wide bridge over Rockingham Road. This carried the LNWR Northampton and Rugby running lines, a bay line and most of the pointwork giving access to a rather cramped goods yard. The goods yard was cramped by St Mary in Arden's Church and Graveyard to the North, which nibbled away a triangular piece of land, and this resulted in a fan of shortish sidings, despite the pointwork being on the bridge. The brick arches carrying the Midland Line over Rockingham Road and the River Welland can be seen in the background.

 

 

A closer view of the abutments. Note the piece of "civic art" in the foreground - at the bottom right a sculpted representation of the station building can be seen, and the top left portrays the locally well known 1614 Old Grammar School on its wooden stilts.

 

 

A view of the mock Queen Anne style Grade II Listed Station Building looking North across Rockingham Road. The River Welland is alongside this walkway to the right hand side.

 

 

A closer view of the attractive Station Building facade, with apologies for the circling taxis which seemed determined to block the view at all times. The small landscaped embankment and trees roughly mark the alignment of the LNWR Northampton/Rugby bay which would have been to the immediate left.

 

 

Booking Hall with the ramp to Platform 1 in the background.

 

 

Looking down the ramp towards the booking hall.

 

 

The rear of the wall of Platform 1 to the left, the rear of the Station Building centre and the Platform 1 ramp to the right.

 

 

The southern end of the Platforms with the stairs from Platform 2 down to the subway on the left.

 

 

Looking South towards Kettering and London with the lines curving away and the access line to the stunted "goods yard" to the left.

 

 

A view along both platforms taken from the top of the subway stairs looking North. It is difficult to imagine the earlier full length canopies which once existed as the platforms are now virtually denuded.

 

 

Looking from the Northern end of Platform 2 towards Platform 1, which is littered with a motley collection of low rise brick montrosities, greenhouses, garden sheds, bus shelters and cycle sheds/racks. The stand of trees on the right marks the jutting "point" of the triangular plot of land occupied by the Churchyard, which inconvenienced LNWR slightly.

 

 

Looking from the Northern end of Platform 1 across to the shorter Platform 2, which is sports only a small brickbuilt waiting room and a red vending machine for the use of London bound passengers. Note the higher height of the extension in length to Platform 1 and the slight 'S' curve also evident along it.

 

 

Northern end of Platform 1 looking towards Leicester and the North with the line beginning to curve away again. Note the surviving bridge abutments and loading bank brickwork and also the old yard lamp.

 

 

Close up view of the bridge abutments which once carried a long girder bridge over 10 or 12 tracks. This gave access to the Midland Goods Yard down the brick built ramp also seen here. Access to the Goods Yard from the East via a narrow lane remains poor to this day.

 

 

A look over the wall from Platform 2 reveals this lonely ballast wagon parked in a stub siding just beyond a modest "ballast bin".

 

 

 A view of the former Midland Goods Shed from the northern end of Platform 1

 

 

A view of the former Midland Goods Shed looking North.

 

 

A composite of pictures showing the remains of the former LNWR Platform brickwork and surface, which once formed one face of the central island platform. As can be seen it has been seamlessly and tidily integrated with the new platform buildings and carpark (not). 

 

 

A composite of pictures showing what I think are remaining examples of the lighting for the former Midland cattle pens at the top and various views showing some of the remaining inset trackwork and extent of the former MR goods yard.

 

 

 

 

 

[roundhouse]

Branksome, Dorset. Just West of Bournemouth central and the junction for the old Bournemouth West line. Somerset and Dorset trains used to pass through here until the line closed in 1966.

 

Station forecourt which is at high level to the platforms

 

The bicycle  rack next to the main entrance.

 

The footbridge from the ticket hall which is unstaffed of a weekend

 

The steps down to the Up platform from the footbridge

 

On the platform looking West towards Parkstone and Poole with the main road going over the bridge

 

Looking East towards the footbridge

 

The West elevation of the main station building showing the unsympathetic alterations

 

Under the shortened up platform canopy

 

The down side showing the steps up to the footbridge

 

Looking East towards the junction. The line to the left is the main line to Bournemouth Central Southampton and London whilst the line to the right once went to Bournemouth West station which closed in 1966 but now only goes to the maintenance depot.

 

Looking back Westwards towards the canopies. These had just been shortened on my first visit here just after the line beyond here had been electrified. Until electrification to Weymouth in the 1980's, the third rail finished just West of this station to allow third rail stock to reverse into the depot.

[Rivercider]

Here are a few views of Teignmouth taken earlier this month, June 2013. 

Teignmouth was opened by the South Devon Railway in 1846 and amalgamated into the GWR

it was rebuilt in 1895 in a style popular at the time and is similar to Torquay and Weston-super-Mare.

 

A view from the roof of the Teignmouth Heritage centre across the road.

 

The main station buildings on the down side.

 

Viewed from the bridge at the West (Newton Abbot) end looking towards the coast.

 

A view from the west end of the up platform looking towards Exeter.

 

cheers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cary hill]

Barrow upon Soar Station on the Midland Main Line between Leicester and Loughborough. The first station was opened by the Midland Counties Railway in 1840 as "Barrow" and was renamed "Barrow upon Soar" in 1871. It (optimistically?)became "Barrow on Soar and Quorn", when the rival GCR line opened Quorn and Woodhouse Station in 1899. This station was completely demolished following closure in 1968. A new station arose phoenix-like from the ashes in 1994, although those ashes appear to have been blown 300 yards south and nearer to Leicester during the intervening 26 years.

 

 

The approach road down to the old station. The Midland Counties station building once stood approximately where the "green container" is and signal box was just beyond the station building. The goods yard sidings formerly curved off to the left of this view.

 

 

Looking North towards Loughborough from High Street bridge and  the site of the original station.The "green" footbridge is a recent replacement (2008) for the former Midland Railway wrought iron lattice footbridge which once gave access to the central island platform. In the early hours of 1 February 2008 the original footbridge was knocked off its pillars and onto the tracks by a Network Rail subcontractor's lorry, which, following a ballast delivery, still had its tipper section in the raised position. A Class 158 set was derailed by the footbridge debris but stayed upright and only one serious injury resulted. The hazard markings on the new bridge indicate where the impact which demolished the original bridge occurred.

 

 

Some of the surviving fancy wrought ironwork forming part of High Street bridge, Unfortunately the ornate ironwork parapets were replaced years ago. 

 

 

Looking North from Melton Road bridge (the highest of the bridges in Barrow) towards High Street bridge.

 

 

Looking South towards Leicester with Melton Road bridge and the new station accessed from Grove Lane Bridge just beyond.

 

 

The station viewed from Melton Road bridge with evidence of the "school-rush" on the southbound platform.

 

 

The unassuming station access.

 

 

I fear Ivanhoe will never make it from here in time for the jousting tournament at Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

 

 

View from the footbridge looking North

 

 

 

 

Views showing the modest facilities available and the fast lines looking South. Note the "faux" Midland Railway style slanting fencing.

 

 

Looking from Platform 1 across to Platform 2

 

 

The brickwork of Grove Lane bridge appears to be suffering.

 

 

Looking South towards Leicestershire's answer to the Eden project Biomes.... if only....

 

 

Looking South towards Leicester with two fine French owned businesses in view. The "Biome" is part of Britiish Gypsum's large plant situated to the East of the tracks.The grey buildings to the right form part of the Lafarge Barrow railhead where the products of their Mountsorrel quarrying operations arrive by conveyor for rail shipment.

Edited July 12, 2013 by cary hill

[cary hill]

Loughborough Station on the Midland Mainline 11 miles North of Leicester. The first Loughborough station was built by the Midland Counties Railway in 1840 a little to the South of the present station. The "new" station pictured here is the 1872 Midland Railway rebuild following the quadrupling of the line. The station building is Grade II listed and the station retains its Midland style awnings albeit cutback. The station received an £8m facelift and was officially "opened" in May 2012 just in time for the British Olympic Team's pre-Olympic training camp. The famous "Brush" works forms the backdrop in some of the photographs.

 

 

Station approach looking over what was part of the goods yard.

 

 

Station buildings

 

 

Station frontage

 

 

View northwards looking down from Nottingham Road bridge along the recently extended (northwards) Platforms 1 and 2.

 

 

View northwards showing the shorter Platform 3 built in 1993 to coincide with the introduction of the "Ivanhoe Line" branded new local stopping services. The "back" of the typical Midland Railway waiting room can also be seen.

 

 

View south from Nottingham Road bridge.The trees and bushes on the left indicate the alignment of the GCR embankment and the "new" bridge will presumably once again cross the Midland tracks just beyond  the platform ends.

 

 

View south from Nottingham Road bridge, this time showing the disused southern ends of the platforms, I think these were TOU on H & S grounds in the early 1990s.

 

 

The southern end of the platforms. Note the lower level and limited width of the "platform" beyond Nottingham Road bridge.

 

 

 

Views of new footbridge and lift towers. Much more convenient and practical than the old footbridge and barrow crossings were.The "join" between the original platforms and the new extensions can be seen where the brickwork "changes" colour.

 

 

Station buildings and awnings Platform 1

 

 

Waiting room and awnings Platform 2

Edited July 23, 2013 by cary hill

[cary hill]

Sileby Railway Station, Leicestershire, which serves a large dormitory village situated some 6 or 7 miles North of Leicester on the Midland Main Line. The original station that formerly occupied this site was built by the Midland Counties Railway in 1840. It closed on 4 March 1968 and no trace remains at platform level. The present minimalist station was opened on 28 May1994 as part of the much-vaunted but now sadly truncated ''Ivanhoe Line" project. 

 

 

Approaching the station entrance in King Street.

 

 

The access steps to the Northbound platform which utilise the old entrance to what was the Southbound platform of the original station. The "new" station is served by the Slow Lines.

 

 

Looking down the steps to street level note the worn glazed white tiling. I think the tiling is a remnant of the previous station access from street level.

 

 

Looking down the steps to street level from the new steps giving access to the new Southbound platform.

 

 

View of the the ramp access to the Northbound platform and the bus shelter.

 

 

View South towards Leicester. The platforms of the original station extended further southwards with a barrow crossing just before the road underbridge.

 

 

Looking North and down the Northbound platform ramp. Note the long Midland style lattice footbridge in the middle distance, which still spans (on the right) the site the former goods yard site,as well as the present day running lines.

 

 

View Northwards showing the short platforms and platform accommodation.

 

 

Closer view of the Northern end of the platforms.

 

 

Southbound Platform accommodation.

 

 

Station sign with the rather defunct "Ivanhoe Line" branding with the Grade II listed former Sharpe's Sileby Brewery in the immediate background and a hazy view of the Pre-Cambrian Charnwood Forest in the distance.

 

 

Edited August 2, 2013 by cary hill

[Ceptic]

Swathling. Ex-L&SWR. Built 1883.
A Southampton suburban station, between St. Denys and Southampton Airport (Parkway). Like St. Denys the mainline, at this point, is paralleled, in the Up direction, by a main road and the station's footbridge provides access to both sides of the road and railway.

 

 ... A Grade 2 Listed station with one or two quirky features.

 

 

 

Walking around the station's main building's RH side, to reach the Down platform. The Ticket Office is only open week-day mornings.

 

 

 

 

Looking across the tracks, southwards, from the Up platform.

 

Back to the Down platform, looking north.

 

Approaching the Footbridge.....but,.. what is this ?,...betwixt platform and footbridge ?..... A theme after my own heart....A Wildlife Garden !...

....Does anyone remember Chris Bains ?

 

On the footbridge and looking across to recent additions.....Which looks the longer lasting ?.....I wonder...

 

Looking North, with 158888 on a Southampton - Salisbury all-stations.

 

Looking across, from the footbridge.

 

Now, this is where the quirkyness begins. You may have noticed from the photos that there is very little behind the Up platform's shelter, other than trees. so, where would these doors lead in to ?, and where would these windows look out of ?

A false front ?, or a missing rear ?

 

Back,... to the Down platform's shelter and the main building, which are connected by a short, covered passageway.  

The passageway's access to the platform.

 

One might suppose, noting that the footbridge is set back, that this is was a left-over from an earlier down loop, but this L&SWR era photo proves otherwise.

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8046/8382082642_eb6da75c55.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.flickr.com/photos/robertfish/8382082642/&h=323&w=500&sz=62&tbnid=1CCvIhVoGEV3LM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=139&zoom=1&usg=__qwf4ndqlkqZifTDTYxMMwyAhCJc=&docid=V3qAq6zNgIP6nM&itg=1&sa=X&ei=7vsHUpuKJav24QSfnYDoCw&sqi=2&ved=0CEEQ9QEwBQ&dur=466

 

Carrying on, around the south side of the main building,...more false ? windows, on the south facing wall. alongside another access to both platform and footbridge.

And, on the front facade...

  

With this parting shot, Gentlemen, I bid you Goodnight.

 

 

 

[Southernman46]

Someone needs to do Tilehurst very, very, soon as it'll shortly be vandalised by the addition of 25kV clear, all access, footbridge and the removal of the original GW one................