A Church With A Station in the Rectory
I mentioned in the last post, that St. Mary Woolnoth had the access to the Docklands Light Railway, where the rectory used to be. So I took some pictures this morning.
It would appear the church has gone commercial with a Starbucks. too. What more could a commuter want? Religion, coffee and a quick way to the City Airport.
It was actually a three stage drop to the platforms of the DLR, but the lifts would have taken the average loaded wheel-chair and a pusher with ease. The first lift actually gets you to the escalators, so it could be a quick bypass of the stairs from street-level, if you’re carrying something heavy.
Disabled and Normal Access on the Docklands Light Railway
When I was in Bank station yesterday, I noticed that there is a lift down to the Docklands Light Railway. Where it comes out at the surface, I don’t know. and it is worth an investigation. As it is foggy today, perhaps I’ll go and have a look. According to Wikipedia, the lift gets to the surface in the rectory of St. Mary Woolnoth
i should say though, that access to the DLR has greatly improved from the Northern line and now it is just one short staircase and twenty metres or so in a tunnel. There are also escalators everywhere, which is one of the reasons I didn’t use the lift. so sometimes, when they refurbish a station, like they have at Bank, they do get it right.
But this web site for Stratford International station doesn’t. Type disabled or wheel-chair into the site search engine and nothing is found. Although the station is known to be step free and if you want to transfer between the DLR and say a service to Ipswich, Southend or Dalston, it’s lifts all the way.
Why can’t people who design web sites get them right? I suspect that there’s full information on how to get to Eastfield, the Shopping Centre though!
To take the Golden Syrup picture, I travelled to West Silvertown station, which is a typical elevated DLR station, with a lift and a staircase to both platforms. Incidentally, this station has some short term parking, as many do on the DLR, so it is an ideal place to set someone on their way in a wheel-chair say and then go and find somewhere safe to leave the car for a longer time.
A Good Summary of Crossrail
Although, it’s mainly about the start of tunnelling on Crossrail, this post on the BBC, has some good graphics and maps about the new train line through London.
What Do They Make Here?
This picture was taken from West Silvertown station on the Docklands Light Railway.
What Do They Make Here?
I think the answer is obvious. But how many companies advertise their products on their factories in such a manner?
Where’s All The Dirt Gone?
In my earliest memories of Kings Cross, this picture would have shown a dirty roof, with steam and smoke everywhere, as Gresley A4 and A3 4-6-2 “Pacifics” were getting ready to steam north.
We may think that was a long time ago and it is probably nearly 60 years ago. But there is a link to this picture I took today.
Where's All The Dirt Gone?
In the picture there are two of the InterCity 225 trains, which look like they’ve just had a good wash too!
But they could easily have been two iconic InterCity 125 trains of the 1970s!
Sir Nigel would have been proud as the 125’s were designed by a team led by one of his apprentices; Terry Miller.
I will not guarantee, that if I’m still here to take this picture in ten years time, that none of the platforms will contain an InterCity 125. These wonderful trains, where I’ve proven that you can sit on the floor and still be comfortable, will outlive most of us. And certainly me!
I notice in the picture, that they haven’t put the clock back up yet!
Standing On The Pavement Watching the Bus Go By!
I took this picture today from the New Bus for London.
Standing On The Pavement Watching the Bus Go By!
I know there’s only one at present, but it probably passes here at least half a dozen times a day.
An Unusual Clock
Piccadilly Circus Tube station has a classic Art Deco interior. It also has this unique World Clock
World Clock at Piccadilly Circus Station
I’ve never seen another like it.
Rear Of The Year 2012
I took this picture of the back of the New Bus for London.
Rear of the Year 2012
I’d just ridden the bus from the Angel. TfL’s Press Officer was on the bus and he said they’d had a lot of positive comments. He said people especially liked the open platform and the conductor.
Incidentally, when I had approached the bus at the Angel, the driver had waved me to the back. So it looks like they’re developing a method of operating the bus to speed it on its way.
Update on May 25th, 2012 – In his talk last night, David Barnett described how New Bus for London had a composite rear end, which gave the whole bus trength, as well as support for the engine/generator and other gubbins inside. So perhaps it could be up for Engineering Rear Of The Year 2012 as well!
The Royal Docks Terminal of the Emirates Air-Line
These pictures are a few bad ones of the new Royal Docks terminal of the Emirates Air-Line.
It looks like that once the fences come down, it will look a lot better. The line will also give a new route to the O2 and spectacular views of London.
The terminal is a short walk from Royal Victoria station on the Docklands Light Railway.
Note that since the original post, I’ve added a few pictures of the intermediate cable towers. These pictures were either taken from or around West Silvertown station or from the top deck of a 474 bus, which runs from Canning Town station along the line of Docklands Light Railway to London City Airport and further to the east.
The Anonymous Widower 