18 hours after I wrote this my copy of the November Modern Railways arrived, with a picture of Perry Barr on page 24.Isn't Perry Barr station also being rebuilt for the Games?
Does nobody ever go near that with a camera?
18 hours after I wrote this my copy of the November Modern Railways arrived, with a picture of Perry Barr on page 24.Isn't Perry Barr station also being rebuilt for the Games?
Does nobody ever go near that with a camera?
Well...
There was an overnight closure last night.
Isn't Perry Barr station also being rebuilt for the Games?
Does nobody ever go near that with a camera?
It is indeed very low! However, due to the station design, there's not much choice for height, other than one storey higher - which would then be way too high on the university side of the canal.That bridge, whether it's just the angles of your photo's, looks quite low. I get that barges on the canal are generally low down too, but there's not a lot of clearance there!
It's quite possible that they've been repointed.The only change appears to be that the brickwork on the bank has been brushed up and polished. Unless it's new brickwork (but the bricks look quite old, and I'm not quite sure what the point of adding them would be!)
I think it’ll be fine. If you look at some of the earlier pictures, eg image 9 of 15 in post #162, I expect there’ll be about 12 ft above the towpath.It is indeed very low! However, due to the station design, there's not much choice for height, other than one storey higher - which would then be way too high on the university side of the canal.
That's possible, but I'm still not sure what the point in doing so is, as only a short section (probably no more than 30m long) has been done.It's quite possible that they've been repointed.
There's definitely enough room to walk under, but I'd be surprised if it's as much as 12 ft. If I'm passing by and happen to have a tape measure to hand, I'll have a go at measuring it.I think it’ll be fine. If you look at some of the earlier pictures, eg image 9 of 15 in post #162, I expect there’ll be about 12 ft above the towpath.
Just jump and reach it?That's possible, but I'm still not sure what the point in doing so is, as only a short section (probably no more than 30m long) has been done.
There's definitely enough room to walk under, but I'd be surprised if it's as much as 12 ft. If I'm passing by and happen to have a tape measure to hand, I'll have a go at measuring it.
That would be simpler!Just jump and reach it?
(but be careful you don’t fall in, safety first..)
Did you manage to check the height of the canal bridge on this visit?A new canopy has been installed on platform 1. I'll endeavour to get a better picture later today.
View attachment 109300
Not yet - I haven't had the chance to look. I'll do so this evening, as I'm ending my journey at University rather than Selly Oak.Did you manage to check the height of the canal bridge on this visit?
I know it is only an aesthetic consideration, but like the fact that the beams supporting the roof are tapered: it seems more elegant than the original canopy.Not yet - I haven't had the chance to look. I'll do so this evening, as I'm ending my journey at University rather than Selly Oak.
Here are a few shots of the new canopy. I imagine it will be extended to fill the gap up to the existing one (and the current one may be replaced as well?).
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And now, to settle the very important question of how high the canal bridge is! I can reveal that clearance above the towpath is exactly....
about 80cm more than I can reach
So approaching 3m
It wouldn't take much to be more elegant!I know it is only an aesthetic consideration, but like the fact that the beams supporting the roof are tapered: it seems more elegant than the original canopy.
Indeed they have.I recall that the lack of tapering in the original canopy was a criticism voiced in Modern Railways when the station was first opened in 1978. That said, they've done a good job over the last 40 years.
And now, to settle the very important question of how high the canal bridge is! I can reveal that clearance above the towpath is exactly....
And now, to settle the very important question of how high the canal bridge is! I can reveal that clearance above the towpath is exactly....
about 80cm more than I can reach
So approaching 3m
Plus the towpath is around 30cm higher than the waterlineI believe the maximum height for a canal boat on this stretch is around 2.5m above the waterline, so plenty of room.
Reconstruction of Birmingham University Station
Event organised by Railway Civil Engineers' Association
Opened in 1978, University Station in Birmingham was designed to serve 500,000 passengers per year but over 40 years later is serving almost 4 million people per year– with demand expected to rise further in coming years.
This essential upgrade project will see VolkerFitzpatrick supported by Mott Macdonald deliver the detailed design and construction of the new station, which will provide an attractive modern gateway into the University of Birmingham’s Edgbaston campus and the nearby Queen Elizabeth Hospital, support regeneration activities in the area, increase passenger capacity and provide improved access to the rail network.
The new railway station building will feature wider platforms, lifts, a ticket office, provision for a retail unit, canopy coverage along the platforms and a direct link with the University of Birmingham campus via a new pedestrian canal bridge. The existing station building will be retained as a passenger exit from the station.
This presentation covers the different disciplines involved within the project –from the early design stages (GRIP4) through to construction, including temporary works and constructability issues and how modern methods of design where incorporated to achieve an accelerated programme. This will also cover considerations when working in a rail environment and dealing with stakeholders.
Speakers
George Smith, VolkerFitzpatrick, section engineer
Sean Dirrane, VolkerFitzpatrick, sub agent
Edward Carstairs, Mott MacDonald, civil engineer
What are your thoughts on it being complete in time for the games?Finally, here's a general view of the station buildings, showing large variation in the amount of work needed to be done:
Well, if the trains aren’t running because of strikes it’s going to be rather academic!What are your thoughts on it being complete in time for the games?
I've stopped commuting daily to University daily now, but my layman's feelings weren't feeling too positive towards the end.