173 - A little further south west along York city walls is this view of the front of York railway station.
This railway station was opened in 1877 to replace an earlier inconvenient and inefficient terminal railway station inside the city walls. The new station had 13 platforms and was at that time the largest in the world. Two further platforms were added in 1909. The building was damaged during an air raid in the Second World War and extensively repaired in 1947, although some of the temporary facilities were not replaced until many years later.
Overhead electrification came in 1988, and the station layout rationalised resulting in the number of platforms being reduced to 11.
The portico itself covers a taxi rank and a drop-off point for motorists. The shelter outside provides cover for those waiting for local bus services.
Thanks Ian, I've visited your earlier pictures. The most impressive is that great curve of the platform and tracks. They didn't make it easy for themselves.
I agree that this face of the station is drab compared to the interior. Great capture regardless.
I shall take a look. I'm partial to railways, stations, and the forgotten grandeur that lies within. I like the old British Rail logo. Wish they were still in charge.
Thank you Tony, glad you found it interesting! That huge sweeping curve continues to the north of the station and is a clever piece of design to ensure that all routes from York could be accessed without any need to reverse. For example, from the earlier station the trains to Scarborough had to reverse twice in the first few hundred yards!
Thank you Mary - there are quite a few other rail related shots in my project since much of my travelling is by train, Shots include the railway museum, several steam locomotives and other railway stations!
I have mixed views about British Rail - the unified system was certainly a plus, and it was much less subsidised than now, but there have been some good initiatives from some companies too.
Thank you Bob - there are other shots on the station in my project, but mainly of trains in there (steam diesel and electric), and there's a shot at the opposite side of the station of an early roundhouse which has been recently excavated by archaeologists - http://365project.org/if1/365/2012-04-27
@if1 Your roundhouse image is great. I am glad the ground plan is being preserved. Often old structures are eliminated for new construction. Thanks for your reference on this building.
@if1 Ian, I was on tour in 1995 and only got to spend 2 hours in York, which I did in the York Railway Museum. This is why I enjoy your presentations so much. Thank you for your references above.
Thank you Brian - and it is an attractive clock. There is another similar clock on the station platform near the footbridge which has a nice background which I want to get a shot of at some point.
When you see pictures of clocks why do they always show ten to two? love seeing old railroad stations. in fact I used to work in an office of the restaurant in a railroad station way back in Germany..omg that was over 55 years ago. great picture and narrative. will check out Lucy's pictures now.
Now that's a good question! - in this case it really was taken just after ten to two, so the clock is showing the right time! And I agree, old stations are fascinating, especially when they have been well looked after.
August 28th, 2012
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I agree that this face of the station is drab compared to the interior. Great capture regardless.
Thank you Tony, glad you found it interesting! That huge sweeping curve continues to the north of the station and is a clever piece of design to ensure that all routes from York could be accessed without any need to reverse. For example, from the earlier station the trains to Scarborough had to reverse twice in the first few hundred yards!
Thank you Mary - there are quite a few other rail related shots in my project since much of my travelling is by train, Shots include the railway museum, several steam locomotives and other railway stations!
I have mixed views about British Rail - the unified system was certainly a plus, and it was much less subsidised than now, but there have been some good initiatives from some companies too.
Thank you Bob - there are other shots on the station in my project, but mainly of trains in there (steam diesel and electric), and there's a shot at the opposite side of the station of an early roundhouse which has been recently excavated by archaeologists - http://365project.org/if1/365/2012-04-27
Thank you Bob. You might also be interested in the Railfest event in June at York railway museum, when neighbouring rail sidings were used for a variety of old and new visiting trains - http://365project.org/if1/365/2012-06-06, http://365project.org/if1/365/2012-06-07, http://365project.org/if1/365/2012-06-08
Thank you Caren, glad you like it!
Thank you Brian - and it is an attractive clock. There is another similar clock on the station platform near the footbridge which has a nice background which I want to get a shot of at some point.
Thank you Marie, but in this instance the pov was dictated by the positioning of the trees beside the city walls, and an appropriate gap between them!
Thank you Roslyn, I'm very fortunate with the number of fine old buildings here in York! The tour will continue soon...
Thank you Howard, glad you like it!
Now that's a good question! - in this case it really was taken just after ten to two, so the clock is showing the right time! And I agree, old stations are fascinating, especially when they have been well looked after.