Trivia: Downsized stations that are shells of their former selves?

[MadMac]

Surprised Newton (Lanarkshire) hasn't been mentioned yet. Used to have four platforms but long since reduced to two on the Hamilton road. Although an access link to the WCML remains at the east end of the platforms, it is rarely used (essentially only for Cathcart Circle diversions). It would be good to see the main line platforms restored so that Lanark and Shotts services could more easily call (without having to switch to / from the existing platforms) and provide better interchange with the Kirkhill line services. The current timetable provides poor connectivity with Argyle line and Kirkhill services (that used to connect before the last timetable recast) now often pulling into the platforms simultaneously.

I don’t see it happening, but it would remove the long-standing anomaly of being unable to access the Cathcart Circle/Kirkhill lines from Uddingston without going round the Hamilton Circle or doubling back from Cambuslang.

 

[Killingworth]

Craigendoran, in eastern Helensburgh.

It used to have five platforms, two at the pier, two going to Helensburgh/Glasgow, and one on the West Highland Line.
The whole piers gone now, absolutely no sign it was ever there. Highland platform gone too; you can still see the steps going up (although they are blocked off) and only one of the two mainline platforms has survived, when the line was singled.

Look up some old photos from the 50s and 60s - its completely unrecognisable, and it actually seems unbelievable that everything was there since there's no trace of it anymore.

Memories, memories, of arriving on the Maid of Ashton from Kilcreggan and rushing for a train to Glasgow just as it seemed to be leaving. It did, and reversed up to Helensburgh Upper! Wrong train.

Frantic father but the station was staffed and a taxi was summoned. Dash back to just catch our proper train. Phew, but I'd left the camera behind. I remember Craigendoran!

 

[Mcr Warrior]

There were plans at one time to have 24 platforms, a fish dock, an overall roof, and to double balloon sidings around Broadway Bridge.

For clarification, where is that location, exactly? Thanks!

Half way between Bare Lane and Morecambe stations

Was any such station ever built at this location?

 

[duffield]

Skegness station used to be bustling before the days of the package holiday abroad. There are several platforms that sit unused for most of the day.

I believe Hartlepool station also used to be two platforms with more services, these days, the only "facilities" you can guarantee will be available there are the ticket gates. I was told by staff to use the pub across the road if I needed the toilet.

Penistone station in Yorkshire also used to have another platform and was on the route up to Manchester, with more services than today. The booking office building is still in place but no longer used as such.

The formerly out of use P3 at Hartlepool finally reopened earlier this year so it now has a normal two track arrangement on the main line with P2/P3 after a new accessible footbridge was built. The bay platform, P1 still has terminating services from Darlington shown to stop there on Sundays but they don't actually do so as it's currently out of use (see traksy). I don't know if there are plans to bring P1 back into use or not; I'm guessing maybe not as it was barely used. before P3 re-opened.

There is an accessible toilet for which staff *should* provide a key for general users during ticket office hours, although that's hardly ideal.

But from the pictures (see article below) it's certainly looking a lot less forlorn than when I was last there, a few years back.

'Great opportunity' - A new platform has opened at Hartlepool's train station

Hartlepool’s £12million refurbished train station featuring a new footbridge, lift and platform has finally begun its services.

www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk

 

[Falcon1200]

It would be good to see the main line platforms restored so that Lanark and Shotts services could more easily call (without having to switch to / from the existing platforms) and provide better interchange with the Kirkhill line services.

I don’t see it happening, but it would remove the long-standing anomaly of being unable to access the Cathcart Circle/Kirkhill lines from Uddingston without going round the Hamilton Circle or doubling back from Cambuslang.

The Lanark and Motherwell via Bellshill trains did use to call at Newton, although I don't recall the Shotts trains ever doing so. This of course required crossing off and back onto the main lines, were these stops withdrawn after the ill-fated remodelling of 1991? At least the layout was subsequently altered again to eliminate the single lead connection on which the crash occurred.

I agree about the connectivity issue, however the cost of building new platforms, and access to them, plus the effect on timetabling, would be prohibitive.

 

[D6130]

Craigendoran, in eastern Helensburgh.

It used to have five platforms, two at the pier, two going to Helensburgh/Glasgow, and one on the West Highland Line.
The whole piers gone now, absolutely no sign it was ever there. Highland platform gone too; you can still see the steps going up (although they are blocked off) and only one of the two mainline platforms has survived, when the line was singled.

Look up some old photos from the 50s and 60s - its completely unrecognisable, and it actually seems unbelievable that everything was there since there's no trace of it anymore.

Hello and welcome to the forums! I make that five ex-Helensburgh members now. Are you by any chance a former - or current - pupil of Hermitage Academy? Not wishing to be pedantic, but Craigendoran station actually had one platform on the pier, two on the line to Helensburgh Central and two on the West Highland Line. My very first railway photo - in black and white and taken with a Kodak Instamatic 25 - was of class AM3 (later 303) unit no. 078 in the pier platform at Craigendoran in the Summer of 1966....when I was just 9 years old. A short time later, I attempted to take class 29 no. D6116 descending from the West Highland line....but I pressed the button at the wrong instant and got a lovely shot of a concrete permant way hut with the roof of the loco behind it!

Memories, memoroes, of arriving on the Maid of Ashton from Kilcreggam and rushing for a train to Glasgow jut as it seemed to be leaving. It did, and reversed up to Helensburgh Upper! Wrong train.

Frantic father but the station was staffed and a taxi was summoned. Dash back to just catch our proper train. Phew, but I'd left the camera behind. I remember Craigendoran!.

Ah yes....until 1964 the Arrochar railbus - and the steam push-pull shuttle before it - used to terminate at the pier platform and change ends out beyond the junction. An easy mistake to make if you were in a hurry and unfamiliar with the local rolling stock!

 

[Killingworth]

Ah yes....until 1964 the Arrochar railbus - and the steam push-pull shuttle before it - used to terminate at the pier platform and change ends out beyond the junction. An easy mistake to make if you were in a hurry and unfamiliar with the local rolling stock!

It was in August 1958. It seemed to be a standard old carriage of its time with locomotive at Glasgow end. Started off before we'd expected but soon stopped, paused for a couple of minutes, then started back up on the line towards Fort William! Which is when we discovered the other 2 stations nearby. Apart from arranging a taxi I suspect the station staff at Helensburgh Upper had phoned ahead to hold the train for Glasgow. BR lost property recovered the Box Brownie camera I'd left behind and it was sent to Newcastle where the film was developed. I still have the camera!

 

[D6130]

It was in August 1958. It seemed to be a standard old carriage of its time with locomotive at Glasgow end. Started off before we'd expected but soon stopped, paused for a couple of minutes, then started back up on the line towards Fort William! Which is when we discovered the other 2 stations nearby. Apart from arranging a taxi I suspect the station staff at Helensburgh Upper had phoned ahead to hold the train for Glasgow. BR lost property recovered the Box Brownie camera I'd left behind and it was sent to Newcastle where the film was developed. I still have the camera!

Shame you didn't manage to bale out at the Craigendoran high level platform! It would have been an ex-North British Railway class C15 Atlantic (4-4-2) tank loco - either 67470 or 67474 - which were allocated to Eastfield and sub-shedded at Arrochar, coupled to a two coach push-pull set.

 

[Leslie Fletcher]

I am a bit surprised that Market Harborough hasn’t been mentioned here. Two through routes, now just one, exchange sidings completely gone, station reduced to two platforms from ? Probably four except that I have a vague memory from my one visit to the station about 60 years ago of four platforms on the LNWR side. OS maps from that era aren’t sufficiently detailed to confirm this and signalbox.org doesn’t have the relevant diagrams. I would be very interested to know one way or the other.

I don’t see it happening, but it would remove the long-standing anomaly of being unable to access the Cathcart Circle/Kirkhill lines from Uddingston without going round the Hamilton Circle or doubling back from Cambuslang.

 

[TheHovisKid]

Was any such station ever built at this location?

No, Promenade went unmolested until final closure, with increasing bits signed OOU. Euston Road had a period of seasonal opening until it went.

Here you go! Can't find the higher resolution image just now.

 

[Killingworth]

Shame you didn't manage to bale out at the Craigendoran high level platform! It would have been an ex-North British Railway class C15 Atlantic (4-4-2) tank loco - either 67470 or 67474 - which were allocated to Eastfield and sub-shedded at Arrochar, coupled to a two coach push-pull set.

Sounds right, but having left the Pier platform it was probably passing the high level platform without stopping that alerted us that we were on the wrong train

 

[duffield]

I am a bit surprised that Market Harborough hasn’t been mentioned here. Two through routes, now just one, exchange sidings completely gone, station reduced to two platforms from ? Probably four except that I have a vague memory from my one visit to the station about 60 years ago of four platforms on the LNWR side. OS maps from that era aren’t sufficiently detailed to confirm this and signalbox.org doesn’t have the relevant diagrams. I would be very interested to know one way or the other.

Have you seen this 1961 map? It clearly shows the main four through platforms, plus there appear to be north and south facing bays.

(Link is to National Library of Scotland copy of 1961 OS map, scale 1:2500, Market Harbough, sheet refs SP 7487 and SP 7587)

View map: Ordnance Survey, SP7487-SP7587 - AA - Ordnance Survey 1:2500 scale map - Ordnance Survey National Grid Maps, 1940s-1970s

 

[Leslie Fletcher]

Have you seen this 1961 map? It clearly shows the main four through platforms, plus there appear to be north and south facing bays.

(Link is to National Library of Scotland copy of 1961 OS map, scale 1:2500, Market Harbough, sheet refs SP 7487 and SP 7587)

View map: Ordnance Survey, SP7487-SP7587 - AA - Ordnance Survey 1:2500 scale map - Ordnance Survey National Grid Maps, 1940s-1970s

Thanks for this; it seems my recollection was possibly half correct. The map you linked to does make the point quite clearly - there was a great deal more at Market Harborough in the past than there is today.

Have you seen this 1961 map? It clearly shows the main four through platforms, plus there appear to be north and south facing bays.

(Link is to National Library of Scotland copy of 1961 OS map, scale 1:2500, Market Harbough, sheet refs SP 7487 and SP 7587)

View map: Ordnance Survey, SP7487-SP7587 - AA - Ordnance Survey 1:2500 scale map - Ordnance Survey National Grid Maps, 1940s-1970s

 

[MadMac]

The Lanark and Motherwell via Bellshill trains did use to call at Newton, although I don't recall the Shotts trains ever doing so. This of course required crossing off and back onto the main lines, were these stops withdrawn after the ill-fated remodelling of 1991? At least the layout was subsequently altered again to eliminate the single lead connection on which the crash occurred.

I agree about the connectivity issue, however the cost of building new platforms, and access to them, plus the effect on timetabling, would be prohibitive.

The Lanarks didn’t stop at Newton or indeed, anywhere after Motherwell, notwithstanding the via Holytown and Hamilton ones which disappeared at electrification. When the Argyle Line opened, they stopped at Rutherglen and Argyle Street.

 

[Falcon1200]

The Lanarks didn’t stop at Newton or indeed, anywhere after Motherwell, notwithstanding the via Holytown and Hamilton ones which disappeared at electrification. When the Argyle Line opened, they stopped at Rutherglen and Argyle Street.

How long did that service pattern last for though? I am thinking of the period when there was a half-hourly Argyle Line service to and from Motherwell via Bellshill, half of of which continued to or started from Lanark, and these definitely called at Newton. The Lanarks have been 'fast' at some times, but not always (and not now!)

 

[MadMac]

How long did that service pattern last for though? I am thinking of the period when there was a half-hourly Argyle Line service to and from Motherwell via Bellshill, half of of which continued to or started from Lanark, and these definitely called at Newton. The Lanarks have been 'fast' at some times, but not always (and not now!)

Non-stop from Motherwell dates back to DMU days. Post electrification, the hourly service maintained that calling pattern and introduced the Rutherglen stop when the Argyle Line opened. This, from memory, continued into the 90s.

 

[QBall21]

Hello and welcome to the forums! I make that five ex-Helensburgh members now. Are you by any chance a former - or current - pupil of Hermitage Academy? Not wishing to be pedantic, but Craigendoran station actually had one platform on the pier, two on the line to Helensburgh Central and two on the West Highland Line. My very first railway photo - in black and white and taken with a Kodak Instamatic 25 - was of class AM3 (later 303) unit no. 078 in the pier platform at Craigendoran in the Summer of 1966....when I was just 9 years old. A short time later, I attempted to take class 29 no. D6116 descending from the West Highland line....but I pressed the button at the wrong instant and got a lovely shot of a concrete permant way hut with the roof of the loco behind it!

Ah yes....until 1964 the Arrochar railbus - and the steam push-pull shuttle before it - used to terminate at the pier platform and change ends out beyond the junction. An easy mistake to make if you were in a hurry and unfamiliar with the local rolling stock!

Hello and thanks for the welcome! I am a pupil at hermitage academy - although only until the end of this year.

Ah didn't realise the WHL station had two platforms. Interesting.

 

[D6130]

Ah didn't realise the WHL station had two platforms. Interesting.

Yes, it had an island platform with an identical station building to Helensburgh Upper, Garelochhead, Arrochar, etc.

 

[BeijingDave]

Surprisingly, Warrington Bank Quay, from 7 platforms (including low level) to 4.

Although I expect there are more services now than when there were 7 platforms.

 

[james60059]

Spalding maybe?, once had 7/8 platforms but now only 2.

 

[Elecman]

Blackpool South and North

 

[drb61]

Non-stop from Motherwell dates back to DMU days. Post electrification, the hourly service maintained that calling pattern and introduced the Rutherglen stop when the Argyle Line opened. This, from memory, continued into the 90s.

The service pattern to Lanark has changed and evolved several times over the past 50 years or so. From my own recollection the off-peak patterns were something like: -

Pre-1974 (DMUs): 2 hourly via Bellshill (all stations except Rutherglen and Newton) alternating with 2 hourly via Hamilton and Holytown (all stations except Rutherglen)
1974-1979: Hourly calling Motherwell, Wishaw and Carluke only
1979-1983: Hourly Milngavie to Lanark (Fast Argyle St - Rutherglen - Motherwell)
1983-1986: Hourly Partick to Lanark (Fast Argyle St - Rutherglen - Motherwell)
1986-1990: Hourly Dalmuir to Lanark (all stations via Bellshill)
1990-2004: Hourly Dalmuir to Lanark (all stations via Bellshill except Newton)
2004-2014: Hourly Dalmuir to Lanark (all stations via Bellshill except Newton) alternating with Hourly Milngavie to Lanark (all stations via Hamilton and Holytown)
2014-present: Half hourly Glasgow Central HL to Lanark (all stations via Bellshill except Newton)

The Lanark and Motherwell via Bellshill trains did use to call at Newton, although I don't recall the Shotts trains ever doing so. This of course required crossing off and back onto the main lines, were these stops withdrawn after the ill-fated remodelling of 1991? At least the layout was subsequently altered again to eliminate the single lead connection on which the crash occurred.

I agree about the connectivity issue, however the cost of building new platforms, and access to them, plus the effect on timetabling, would be prohibitive.

Agree that adding new platforms is unlikely in the foreseeable future, but a recast of the Cathcart Circle timetable to improve connections at Newton should be possible.

 

[Falcon1200]

1986-1990: Hourly Dalmuir to Lanark (all stations via Bellshill)

That is the period I was thinking of! In 1987 I moved from the Mount Florida/Kings Park area to Bellshill, and was able to make the journey with a simple change at Newton.

 

[geoffk]

Stockton-on-Tees.

and only the slow trains call there.

 

[WolvertonWorks]

Can I add Wolverton to the list of downsized stations - the current, fourth iteration, really is a shell of its former self.

Station no 1 opened in 1838, followed by a larger station on a different site with a large refreshment room. This was then replaced by the much loved and missed number three c1880 when the location changed again, this time the entrance was on the new road that ran through Wolverton with "The Works" filling all of the land between the road and the canal on one side and Wolverton the town on the other side.

Number 3 was demolished without warning in 1990 - the local rumour being that the railway company had got wind of plans to List the station.

Wolverton was then without a physical station building other than a "shed" for a long time with the current building opening c2012. For a recently built station it is bad that access to the platforms other than on the side of the new entrance that was built after no 3 was demolished is via a footbridge, no lifts installed. This was justified by the railway because in 1984 Milton Keynes Central had been opened and the majority of passengers were using CMK rather than Wolverton.

There are four lines through the station today but two are normally used by fast trains just passing through and the two nearest the entrance are for the LNR stoppers to/from the Northampton loop.

There was a fifth platform before the branch line to Newport Pagnell was closed in the 1960s.

If the area around Castlethorpe, the next station going north until it was closed by Beeching in the 1960s, gets developed as per mooted growth plans Castlethorpe station might get re-opened or Wolverton could see a large increase in passengers.

The branch line to Newport is now a redway I love it when I walk along there as New Bradwell and Great Linford station platforms still stand.

There's some photos of station number 3 being demolished on Bryan Dunleavy's Wolverton blogspot site: https://wolvertonpast.blogspot.com/2011/09/last-days-of-third-station.html

 

[Kee86]

The Lanark and Motherwell via Bellshill trains did use to call at Newton, although I don't recall the Shotts trains ever doing so. This of course required crossing off and back onto the main lines, were these stops withdrawn after the ill-fated remodelling of 1991? At least the layout was subsequently altered again to eliminate the single lead connection on which the crash occurred.

I agree about the connectivity issue, however the cost of building new platforms, and access to them, plus the effect on timetabling, would be prohibitive.

Do you have any timetables from the 1986-1990/91 period that cover the Argyle Line services at Newton and compare them to now as that would be interesting though it's been said that most Newton services were re-directed towards Hamilton to avoid the situation of fast trains being held up by slow trains, perhaps that was about 1990?

 

[Falcon1200]

Unfortunately I don't have any such timetables. I do recall however that in 1987 I moved house from Mount Florida to Bellshill and was able to make the journey with a change at Newton, as the trains to Motherwell via Bellshill did call there then, as well as the services via Hamilton. IIRC the Hamilton trains were half-hourly, until Larkhall re-opened and the frequency doubled!

 

[Railsigns]

Do you have any timetables from the 1986-1990/91 period that cover the Argyle Line services at Newton and compare them to now as that would be interesting though it's been said that most Newton services were re-directed towards Hamilton to avoid the situation of fast trains being held up by slow trains, perhaps that was about 1990?

I have a 1989 Strathclyde Transport Rail & Underground timetable and could post some scans here.

 

[Kee86]

I have a 1989 Strathclyde Transport Rail & Underground timetable and could post some scans here.

That would be great as I would like to see what the service level on the Argyle Line was like from Newton Monday to Sunday so that would be a great help!

 

[Railsigns]

That would be great as I would like to see what the service level on the Argyle Line was like from Newton Monday to Sunday so that would be a great help!

Scan of Table 226 attached...