I lived in Shortlands throughout that period, so used the station a bit, but no memories of spotters if that's what you're asking (hardly any kids at school came from Orpington either).
Hi. Thanks for the reply. I certainly know Shortlands, but mainly passing through on the way to Victoria.
Sorry, was never there at the right time
Only in one direction? If so, I'm guessing that you may have used the 410 bus from Bromley North for the outward journey. I remember it was one of the few bus routes that used RLH (low height) buses.Sorry, was never there at the right time
The only journey I definitely made that way before the end of Kent Coast steam was Westerham-Dunton Green-Orpington-Shortlands.
Yes, walk to Bromley and RLH outward. The return was a treat for me I assume (or my Dad?).
Thanks, nice to see the pair of vintage Boat Train brakes! I can just remember the pre-59 layout.
Indeed. Pre-1959, I remember that the order of the lines was down-down-up-up. It made the interchange between fast and slow trains at Bromley South much easier. It changed in 1959 to down-up-down-up resulting in a lot of bewildered passengers at Bromley South for the first few days.
ISTR they also reversed the platform numbers (for some reason Bromley S was out of step with all the others in the area, and 1 was the Down Local).
Yes, 3 stations had to change. At the time, the only bit of 4-track on that line was between Shortlands Jn. and Bickley Jn. so the only stations affected were Shortlands, Bromley South and Bickley.
To reduce conflicting movements at Shortlands and Bickley Jns.
