We Need More Canning Town Stations
Canning Town station is a major interchange in East London and will be important in getting spectators to the Olympics.
The Jubilee line, two DLR lines and lots of bus routes meet there.
We need more interchanges like this in London and over the whole country for that matter. As I have said before, Hackney Downs and Hackney Central stations should be combined, with a bus station below.
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!
The New Kings Cross Station Opens on the 19th
On of the largest building projects in London hits a big milestone on Monday, the 19th with the opening of the new reception area at Kings Cross station. Before that though drinkers will get a new pub called the Parcel Yard, next Wednesday.
They do seem to be going to hit their target. In one of the pictures, you might just see the working destination board.
Under The New Roof at Kings Cross
I popped into Kings Cross today and took these pictures of the new roof over the Western Extension to the station.
Note that a poster says it will open in March 2012.
I didn’t show the most disgusting part of the new station; the smokers surrounding the entrance to the area.
London’s Station Above the Thames
Blackfriars station is being rebuilt to give extra capacity to Thameslink and entrances on both banks of the River Thames.
It is going to be an impressive station, when it is completed next year.
How To Improve A Station
Clapham Junction station is one of the busiest in Europe and on some measures the busiest station in the UK.
I had only been twice before. One was in the 1960s, when I was looking to see some of Bulleid ‘s steam engines, like the Merchant Navy class. The other was a few years ago, when I was going to Southampton from Suffolk.
Since those days, the station has had a makeover. The most impressive feature is the rebuilt bridge with lifts to all the platforms and the new south-eastern or Brighton Yard entrance to the station.
I’ve tried to annotate the pictures correctly, but if you have better captions please let me know.
I should say that in the future Clapham Junction will be important to me, as I will be able to get a direct train to the station from Dalston Junction using the Overground, which will mean, I can get to the south and south west without having to struggle to Waterloo or Victoria. Incidentally, the design of the Overground Platform 2, shows how with a bit of innovation, you can squeeze wide easy-to-navigate platforms into a small space. Once complete passengers arriving on the new East/South London line will just have to walk a few metres to catch the West London line and vice-versa.
Just like with Stratford, it shows how by using good design and a sensible amount of money you can create a good interchange to take the pressure off the main London termini.
I think it is true to say, that the new bridge is the most impressive feature of the redevelopment. If you are changing trains, at the station, it is the ideal place to wait with interesting views, cafes and shops. It is also well-provided with information and has lifts to all platforms.
How many other stations would benefit from a similar makeover?
West Hampstead – This has been proposed and probably will happen. I would certainly benefit, as I could take the North London line to pick up the Jubilee line or Chiltern line to Birmingham.
Hackney Central and Hackney Downs – This could be an important interchange in north-east London, as I indicated here.
Willesden Junction– Connected to both Stratford and Clapham Junction by the London Overground, it should be developed as a link to the north. Selected Virgin expresses should stop at the station.
West Croydon – This needs to be sorted and linked properly to East Croydon. At present it’s easy to go from West to East, but the other way is difficult.
Get these and other interfaces sorted and a lot of pressure could be taken off the main London termini.
Looking For Maiden Lane Station
After reaching York Way, I carried on going north, with the intention of seeing, if I could find any trace of the old Maiden Lane station on the North London line.
It was quite a walk and I think those who are proposing that the station be reopened to serve Kings Cross Central are mistaken. On the other hand reopening York Road Underground station, shown in the pictures, might be a possibility.
So did I find any trace of Maiden Lane station? There’s just a little of it left by a railway bridge. After I took these pictures, I took the North London line past the spot and couldn’t see anything by the track-side.
King’s Boulevard
These pictures show the new King’s Boulevard which leads from King’s Cross station to the Central St. Martins College of Art and Design.
It is the first part of the development at Kings Cross Central to be completed. Note the maps, which set a whole new standard.
The New Kings Cross Starts to Appear
I took these pictures today and they show how the new Kings Cross station is starting to appear.
There is more about what is going on here.
The Labyrinth That Is Kings Cross
Kings Cross St.Pancras is not a very passenger friendly tube station.
They have put in two new Underground ticket halls in the past few years; one in front of St. Pancras station and one between Kings Cross and St. Pancras stations.
Sometimes I arrive at Kings Cross on say the Northern or Victoria lines and want to get out on Euston Road. Often I fail and end up at the back of the station, when I want the front. So I have a long walk along crowded corridors to get to where I originally wanted. Sometimes, I have to brave the waiting area at the front of the station, which is a pedestrian’s nightmare.
Waiting at Kings Cross
This picture was taken today, but it shows how people and masses of baggage seem to turn up an hour or so before their train leaves and just block the space. Hopefully, when they finish the station, people will wait in a better place. Also, as I said here, I do wish they’d give you a series of alerts about your train, so you could wait say in Starbucks with a coffee in comfort. After all if Transport for London can do it for buses with a simple text, Network Rail can do it for individual trains, especially, if you ask for it when you buy the ticket on-line.
