Passengers must not cross the line

[ejstubbs]

I've been looking at station layouts in the borders.  One that intrigued me was Stobo, which can be seen in a fair amount of detail on this 1908 OS map.  It appears to have two platforms (although an earlier edition of that same OS map sheet shows only one, and no loop).  However, there is no footbridge between the platforms.  Is this the sort of detail the OS would not bother with, or was it actually not that uncommon for access between platforms at smaller stations to be by crossing the line?  In the case of Stobo, it looks like this would be possible at the NE end of the platforms, under supervision from what looks like the signal box.

 

Unfortunately I've not so far been able to find any photos online of Stobo station during its working life, in order to verify whether or not there actually was a footbridge just not shown on the map.

[Fenman]

I've been looking at station layouts in the borders. One that intrigued me was Stobo, which can be seen in a fair amount of detail on this 1908 OS map. It appears to have two platforms (although an earlier edition of that same OS map sheet shows only one, and no loop). However, there is no footbridge between the platforms. Is this the sort of detail the OS would not bother with, or was it actually not that uncommon for access between platforms at smaller stations to be by crossing the line? In the case of Stobo, it looks like this would be possible at the NE end of the platforms, under supervision from what looks like the signal box.

 

Unfortunately I've not so far been able to find any photos online of Stobo station during its working life, in order to verify whether or not there actually was a footbridge just not shown on the map.

As a comparison, only the largest stations on the rambling Midland & Great Northern Railway had footbridges. The rest had either barrow crossings or were at right angles to an adjacent road where passengers could cross.

 

I guess it was much more economical, trains on country routes were slower, noisier, and not very frequent, and the value placed on life was less.

 

Paul

[LMS2968]

To the best of my knowledge, Chapel-en-le-Frith on the LNWR has never had a footbridge, right up to the present day.

[DaveF]

Most Settle and Carlisle stations didn't have footbridges, some still don't.  

 

Another example was (and I presume still is) Bottesford on the GNR Nottingham to Grantham line.  Also stations on the Midland line from Nottingham to Lincoln.

 

David

[roythebus]

Ham Street on the Marsh line has only just received a footbridge after a few kids were nearly bowled over crossing the line whilst using mobile phones. A lot of south eastern stations have staggered platforms with only a foot crossing.

[edcayton]

As did, and still does, Elsenham where the two girls were killed a few years ago.

 

Ed

[The Bigbee Line]

The footbridge at Rye, two stations from Ham Street, gained a footbridge as part of the run up for electrification (that never came).

[ElectroSoldier]

To the best of my knowledge, Chapel-en-le-Frith on the LNWR has never had a footbridge, right up to the present day.

 

Yes youre right, it didnt, and as far as I know still doesnt to this day only a line crossing on the western end of the platform...

I worked up on that line years ago, it was the only line I worked a lot on that has semaphore signals.

Furness vale didnt have a footbridge either, there was a level crossing at the end of the platform on the northern end, that was used not only for cars but passengers to change platform too... Not sure what its like now, its been so long since I was there.

[Bernard Lamb]

Apsley had a footbridge from it's opening date in the 1930s, but most locals used the barrow crossing as it was better situated to reach the station exit.

This practice died out probably in the late 1950s.

It was the only practical way when arriving from London if you had a pram.

Completely OT. Apsley must be well up the list for the station with the biggest increase in passengers in recent years.

Bernard

[Reorte]

Yes youre right, it didnt, and as far as I know still doesnt to this day only a line crossing on the western end of the platform...

I worked up on that line years ago, it was the only line I worked a lot on that has semaphore signals.

Furness vale didnt have a footbridge either, there was a level crossing at the end of the platform on the northern end, that was used not only for cars but passengers to change platform too... Not sure what its like now, its been so long since I was there.

Still no footbridge at Chapel-en-le-Frith or Furness Vale. There's a minor user-worked road crossing at the end of the platform at Chapel anyway which may be why.

 

Nice station, Chapel. I suspect the signal box of being switched out quite often though, the couple of times I've used the station the signals have stayed cleared when the train had left.

 

Talking of S&C stations barrow crossings used to be the main way of crossing as far as I can tell (other than Appleby, which has always had a footbridge to my knowledge). The ones that could be removed have been removed, e.g. if there's a road you can use to get across the railway, but there are plenty left with no option (e.g. Dent, Ribbleshead - interesting because the down platform is relatively new). Kirkby Stephen gained a new (well, second hand) bridge a few years ago.

[ElectroSoldier]

I worked up there as a Handsignaller about 14 years ago when they did the "refurb" on Buxton and a few other stations on the line.

When I was in the box at Buxton I seem to remember Chapel-en-le-frith box closed at night, unlike Buxton, I cant remember what time it closed, the boxes either side didnt.

The signaller would close to box leaving the signals clear, the Buxton box would offer the trains forward to New Mills I think, and accept them from there.

 

Its so long ago I can hardly remember, I took little notice of what the signaller was doing most of the time...
All I really remember was the electric token machine to get to Peak dale and open up the sidings in the quary up there.

Seemed strange to me at the time needing a token key to open point levels

[Penlan]

..

[EddieB]

While we tend to regard most stations as having footbridges or subways to connect between platforms, but many quieter stations had (and many still have) only foot and barrow crossings. 

 

For much of their existence these stations were staffed and it would be expected that someone would be on hand to assist passengers crossing the line when a train was due.  Nowadays such stations tend to be unstaffed, in which case "high tech" solutions may apply:

 

 

This is a signal protecting the foot crossing at Wrabness, on the Harwich branch (similar apparatus is also installed at Mistley).  Besides a single train working an hourly service in each direction off-peak, this section of the branch sees additional passenger workings to Parkstone Quay (sorry, Harwich International) and freight traffic and remains double-tracked.

[ejstubbs]

Thanks everyone for your observations.

 

I was aware of stations without a footbridge - Levisham and Grosmont most recently in my direct experience, but both of those have a level crossing at the end of the platform which obviously provides protection (up to a point, anyway, allowing that some residual risks can still exist, as highlighted by the sad incident at Elsenham).  I didn't realise quite how common it had been/might still be to leave passengers (as they were then)/customers (as they are now) to their own devices.

 

I have seen signs such as those posted by Penlan, but I thought they were intended for accommodation crossings.  It appears I was mistaken.

[Reorte]

The ones I've experienced (S&C and Buxton lines) just have ordinary warning signs, no lights or anything like that. Obviously the speeds aren't that high (although of course a large mass approaching at 60 mph isn't going to do you any good and can arrive quicker than you might expect). There's a barrow crossing at Penrith, presumably only for staff use (I guess for them to assist wheelchair passengers) since there's also a subway, but that has a light on it (white on / off IIRC).