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Where was Network SouthEast's headquarters?

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gazthomas

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I'm sure the sub-divisions had their own offices like Waterloo, with NSE being a virtual entity made up of the divisions. But i stand to be corrected
 

mmh

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Friars Bridge Court, Blackfriars Road (just south of Blackfriars Bridge)

I used to work there (long after the demise of NSE) but most occupants were still TOCs / NR / related organisations.

Lots of the signage / decor was still original, e.g. floor number signs in the railway alphabet in NSE colours.

The basement still had a fully fitted but sadly disused canteen fully decorated in NSE style.
 

Fleetwood Boy

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Friars Bridge Court, Blackfriars Road (just south of Blackfriars Bridge)

I used to work there (long after the demise of NSE) but most occupants were still TOCs / NR / related organisations.

Lots of the signage / decor was still original, e.g. floor number signs in the railway alphabet in NSE colours.

The basement still had a fully fitted but sadly disused canteen fully decorated in NSE style.
I so hoped that last comment about the basement was going to say there was still a OO gauge model railway - that would have been so cool ...
 

wimbledonpete

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The canteen at FBC used to have a French cafe vibe - they even installed a couple of half 2CV cars to create a low relief street scene. Ah, happy days!
 

steevp

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In the early days of NSE, the headquarters were at Euston (the name of the building escapes me). I worked at Waterloo which was the headquarters for the SouthWest part of NSE, but also where there was a HQ projects team.
 

Bald Rick

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In the early days of NSE, the headquarters were at Euston (the name of the building escapes me). I worked at Waterloo which was the headquarters for the SouthWest part of NSE, but also where there was a HQ projects team.

It was Network House at Euston. Now 1 Eversholt Street.
 

mmh

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The canteen at FBC used to have a French cafe vibe - they even installed a couple of half 2CV cars to create a low relief street scene. Ah, happy days!



Even when I saw it empty and unused it still had that feeling - very French feeling hanging lights from lampposts. Difficult to describe in words but vivid in my mind.



Lots of us wished it was still open. I'd go back around there to reminisce but it'd only depress me, I know they've knocked down the block next door. I don't know what they've built, but our pub has gone with it - the Prince Albert around the corner.
 
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thedbdiboy

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Even when I saw it empty and unused it still had that feeling - very French feeling hanging lights from lampposts. Difficult to describe in words but vivid in my mind.



Lots of us wished it was still open. I'd go back around there to reminisce but it'd only depress me, I know they've knocked down the block next door. I don't know what they've built, but our pub has gone with it - the Prince Albert around the corner.
Even when I saw it empty and unused it still had that feeling - very French feeling hanging lights from lampposts. Difficult to describe in words but vivid in my mind.



Lots of us wished it was still open. I'd go back around there to reminisce but it'd only depress me, I know they've knocked down the block next door. I don't know what they've built, but our pub has gone with it - the Prince Albert around the corner.

When FBC was built as the 'new' NSE HQ it was the newest building in an otherwise quite run down area. Now it is just about the oldest building there, there are gleaming new buildings all round it on Blackfriars Road. I loved the canteen there too, I was gutted when they shut it down.
 

Bald Rick

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When FBC was built as the 'new' NSE HQ it was the newest building in an otherwise quite run down area. Now it is just about the oldest building there, there are gleaming new buildings all round it on Blackfriars Road. I loved the canteen there too, I was gutted when they shut it down.

FBC is coming down soon.
 

James H

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Although planning permission was granted for a redevelopment of FBC, that's now on hold and the existing building is becoming a WeWork serviced office location instead
 

James H

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Also: Southeastern objected to the planning application to knock down FBC, saying they didn't want to move out and have to relocate their control equipment etc.
 

Bald Rick

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Also: Southeastern objected to the planning application to knock down FBC, saying they didn't want to move out and have to relocate their control equipment etc.

I’m sure they did. But they’ll be moving soon!
 

wimbledonpete

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This all makes me feel old - remember watching FBC going up from our office high up in the General Offices at Waterloo, then visiting the shell to see where our desks were going to be. Very happy memories of that building.
 

Sad Sprinter

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Does anyone know anything about the 1991-1992 NSE Strategic Plan? I heard that all copies of it was hunted down by the DfT and destroyed at privatisation. Does anyone know if any copies exist or what was in the plan?

It’s a real Shame about NSE in general. It seemed like everyone I speak to who worked there had a memorable time, and had to suffer a rather sad period when it was going through privatisation. Alas I was born just after BR was privatised, and while I still remember when the livery was in abundance, that was in Connex days when everything had changed.

As a 90s kid, it’s astonishing how familiar the livery was. Growing up in South London next to the Brighton Main Line, I remember being a toddler and when seeing the NSE livery on the TV or in newspapers would instantly recognise as “the trains I go on”
 

ag51ruk

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When I worked at FBC in the mid 90s, it's nickname was "Fraggle Rock" (never knew why!)
 

Aictos

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I’m sure First Capital Connect were vases there as they did training there before they opened the academy at Kentish Town.

Was that because the original Thameslink did their training there?

And yes I also remember it being called Fraggle Rock!
 

yorksrob

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Does anyone know anything about the 1991-1992 NSE Strategic Plan? I heard that all copies of it was hunted down by the DfT and destroyed at privatisation.”

You know, that wouldn't surprise me of Jonny Major's shower.
 

caliwag

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Bizarrely the NSE architects' office was in Hudson House in York...a small group that worked on Southend line stations and other works on the ECML to Peterborough etc. Alongside larger teams of Intercity and Regional railways architects and support. All ended at privatisation of course, sadly.
 
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