Seaton Delaval Station – 30th March 2025
After I’d taken the pictures at Newsham station, I took the train to the next station on the way back to Newcastle ; Seaton Delaval station.
I took these pictures of the single platform station.
Note.
- It is a step-free single platform station.
- There are disabled parking spaces.
- It looks like charging points for electric vehicles have been installed, but not commissioned.
- Two disabled parking spaces will be for electric vehicles.
- There is space behind the platform for emergency service vehicles.
- There is a shelter and several sets of seats.
- The station connects to the local footpath network.
- There is good provision of litter bins.
It is one of the best single-platform stations I have seen.
I had a problem, at the station, in that my onward train was cancelled, due to a staff shortage.
However, the guy manning Northern’s Help Point, told me, that there was a pub by the station entrance.
So I walked the two hundred metres to the pub.
Note.
- The Hasting Arms has a gluten-free menu.
- The lunch was delicious and even the Yorkshires and the desserts were gluten-free.
- There is also a shop nearby.
- The landlord also said, that the new railway had brought more business.
I was also able to sit in the warm for an hour.
I have only one criticism of the station. There needs to be a local information board, giving a local map, and details of the pub, shop, buses and taxis.
Newsham Station – 30th March 2025
Today, I went to Newcastle and took a ride to the recently-opened ; Newsham station on the Northumberland Line.
Note.
- The road bridge over the railway.
- When complete there will be a lot of parking space.
- The orange bollards in the parking could be electric vehicle chargers, ready to be unveiled.
- The full step-free access over the railway via the lifts is already working.
- British Railways, its predecessors and many other countries would have just put in a level crossing.
- The Completed platform is wide.
- Both platforms already have a shelter.
- There are help points, information displays, facilities for those with limited hearing and readers for smart ticketing on both platforms.
- There is a ticket machine by both lift towers.
- The disabled parking is already marked out.
- The brickwork and other workmanship is top-class.
- There is space behind the platforms for taxis, buses and emergency service vehicles.
- There is enough clearance under the two bridges for overhead electrification.
There is still some finishing off and landscaping to do, but it is a station with everything.
I have some other thoughts.
The High Quality Lifts Are By Stannah
Several of the passengers I saw, were getting on in years.
Does the maker of the well-advertised stair-lifts use station lifts, which are likely to be used by those of reduced mobilility, as a promotional tool?
The Station Will Be One Of The Best Rural Stations In The UK, When It is Complete
I can see other stations on a similar theme being built.
Especially, where a level crossing is to be eliminated.
This Google Map shows the level crossing and former station at Six Mile Bottom, near where I used to live.
Note.
- The Cambridge and Newmarket railway goes across the map.
- Cambridge is to the West and Newmarket is to the East.
- The main Newmarket to London road crosses the railway here in a level crossing.
- Newmarket is to the North and London and the M11 is to the South.
- There used to be a station here and some want it back.
- There have been several incidents on the level crossing and Greater Anglia have had serious damage to more than one train.
A station like Newsham would be ideal here.
I can see Morgan Sindall building a few more on this theme.
Could they licence the design to construction companies all over the world?
I’ve certainly, seen similar layouts in Eastern Poland, where there are lots of level crossing accidents, according to our guide on one trip. But he said Russia is a lot worse for level crossing accidents.
Now That’s What I Call A Station!
Newsham station on the Northumberland Line opens on Monday and I was alerted to the design of the station, by this page on the Northumberland Chronicle.
I clipped this drone view of the station from the page.
Note.
- It almost looks like two stations, one for the Northbound line and one for the Southbound.
- There appears to be a by-pass for those not wanting to visit the station.
- There is a traditional step-free bridge with lifts.
- Each half-station appears to have bus stops, car parking, disabled car-parking and a drop-off lane.
- There is a well-marked walking route to bring travellers to the station.
This Google map shows the layout of the station.
To say it’s different is an understatement. But I like it and I can’t wait to jump on a Lumo to go and see it, in all its new reality.
I hope all those connected with the design and architecture have got evening wear, as given the awards they’re going to win, they’ll need them.
Stowmarket Station – 14th March 2025
tThe one and only time, that I’ve used Stowmarket station, was when I’d taken my Lotus in for a service near Diss and I was getting back to Newmarket, with a change at the station.
So as I was going to Stowmarket station, I felt with the judicious use of a East Anglian Ranger ticket, I could combine the trips to Stowmarket and Saxmundham stations.
I also wanted to look at the progress on the new footbridge that I wrote about in Stowmarket Station To Go Step-Free.
I took these pictures.
Note.
- I arrived on the Norwich-bound platform, crossed the tracks by the level crossing and then left from the Ipswich-bound platform.
- The station has a cafe.
- The footbridge in the pictures is a temporary one to ease construction.
- The station buildings are Grade II Listed.
There doesn’t appear to have been much progress on the new footbridge.
I do have some other thoughts.
Greater Anglia’s Stadler Trains Are Step-Free Between Train And Platform
The first two and last pictures in the gallery show this feature.
I arrived on a Class 745 train and left on a Class 755 and both train classes have gap fillers, that do their job automatically.
We need more of this technology to protect the elderly, those with restricted movement and the just untrained stupid.
Housing By The Station
It appears that two blocks of flats have been built on railway land or the station car park.
The bridge also appears to give the owners and residents access across the railway.
Is this thoughtful holistic design or just a bribe to get planning permission?
Who Will Use The Footbridge?
Two main lines effectively cross at Stowmarket.
- The Great Eastern Main Line between Ipswich and Norwich goes through Needham Market, Stowmarket and Diss.
- The Ipswich and Ely Line between Ipswich and Cambridge goes through Needham Market, Stowmarket, Elmswell, Thurston, Bury St. Edmunds, Kennett, Newmarket and Dullingham.
So, if you need to go between say Newmarket and Diss, you would change trains at Stowmarket. Hopefully, the bridge will encourage train travel.
New Housing In East Anglia
On the main railway lines between Cambridge, Ipswich and Norwich, there used to be a lot more stations.
- There are eight closed stations between Stowmarket and Cambridge.
- There are three closed stations between Stowmarket and Ely .
- There are two closed stations between Stowmarket and Ipswich.
- There are eight closed stations between Stowmarket and Norwich.
Note.
- A new Soham station was built between Stowmarket and Ely. Passenger numbers are rising with each year.
- I have double-counted Higham and Saxham and Risby stations on both the Ely and Cambridge routes.
- But that still leaves nineteen stations, that might be good sites to build new houses.
- The East-West Railway intend to build a new A14 Parkway station to link the A14 road to the Ipswich and Ely Line.
- When housing is taken into account, some stations will give a better return on investment.
Could the new footbridge at Stowmarket be part of a wide ranging plan to build more housing in towns and villages along the railways of East Anglia?
Was The Old Footbridge Too Low?
This picture was taken of the old bridge.
Was the bridge too low for some container trains?
Details At Hayes And Harlington Station
Yesterday, on my way to Reading, I changed trains at Hayes and Harlington station and took a few pictures.
An Ideally-Placed Waiting Room
These pictures show a waiting room on the Westbound platform of the Elizabeth Line.
The Elizabeth Line has these Western destinations.
- Heathrow Terminal 4
- Heathrow Terminal 5
- Maidenhead
- Paddington
- Reading.
Note.
- If you are travelling to any of the Heathrow destinations and you are riding on a Maidenhead or Reading train, then Hayes and Harlington station is the last station you can change for the Airport.
- If you are travelling to any of the destinations on the Reading branch and you are riding on a Heathrow train, then Hayes and Harlington station is the last station you can change for the Airport.
- If you are travelling from any of the Heathrow destinations to any of the destinations on the Reading branch, then Hayes and Harlington station is the first station you can change for the Reading branch.
- If you are travelling from any of the Reading branch destinations to any of the Heathrow destinations, then Hayes and Harlington station is the first station you can change for the Heathrow destinations.
- To aid the change of platform in the third and fourth changes, there is a step-free footbridge at Hayes and Harlington station.
The waiting room at Hayes and Harlington station, which is complete with heating could be a welcome refuge whilst changing trains at Hayes and Harlington station.
The golden rule seems to be, that if you’re on the wrong train on the Elizabeth Line, then change for your desired destination at Hayes and Harlington station.
Track Warnings
These pictures show the bilingual track warnings at Hayes and Harlington station.
I hope Network Rail are analysing, if the warnings work.
The Main Step-Free Route Across The Tracks
These pictures show the main step-free route at Hayes and Harlington station.
Note.
- The route with lifts, is rather tucked in at the Western end of the station.
- There are toilets under the bridge on the Eastbound platform.
- The steps are rather steep, so if you have any issues, I would use the lifts.
The golden rule is if you are going between the Reading and Heathrow branches with a change of direction from Eastbound to Westbound at Hayes and Harlington station, then make sure, you start your journey in the back of the train.
The Secondary Route Across The Tracks
These pictures show the secondary route at Hayes and Harlington station.
Note.
- I believe this bridge is better placed for some travellers, who need to reverse direction at Hayes and Harlington station.
- It is also convenient for the waiting room.
In Heathrow Rail Link Withdrawn, But MP Vows To Carry On, I asked this question.
Could Hayes And Harlington Station Become A Transport Hub For Heathrow?
I said this.
This Google Map shows Hayes and Harlington station.
Note.
- It has platforms on all four tracks of the Great Western Main Line.
- There is a London-facing bay platform to terminate Elizabeth Line trains, if needed.
- The land to the North of the station has been developed.
- There is land to the South of the station that could be developed.
Could the space above the tracks, with some of the land to the South of the station be developed into a transport hub for Heathrow?
I took these pictures to answer my question.
I don’t think there would be enough space to put a combined bus and coach station at Hayes and Harlington station.
Show Me The Way To Motspur Park
A few days ago, I saw on a web site, that Motspur Park station had been made step-free.
I tried to go yesterday, but I made a big mistake – I started from Moorgate station and intended to use the Waterloo and City Line to get to Waterloo station, from where I could get a direct train.
But after taking forever to walk between the Northern and Waterloo and City Line at Bank station, I arrived at Waterloo station, too late to get to Motspur Park station before dark.
Today, I looked up Transport for London’s Journey Planner and it told me to do the following.
- Walk to Newington Green Road, which is rather a long walk for my 77-year-old legs.
- Get a 341 bus to Manor House Station.
- Get a Piccadilly Line train to Finsbury Park station.
- Get a Victoria Line train to Vauxall station. This is a cross-platform interchange.
- Walk to Vauxall National Rail station.
- Get a South Western Railway train to Motspur Park station.
Note.
- Normally, I would use a variation of this route and take a 141 bus from the corner of my road to Manor House station.
- But due to road works, the 141 is not stopping near my house, so I have no easy way to get to Manor House station.
- But in some ways to start a journey to the South-West, by going North to Manor House station is a bit silly.
- This detour is caused because neither the Victoria or Piccadilly Lines have an exchange station with the Lizzie Line.
If the 141 bus were running, I’d take that to Moorgate, then take Lizzie to Bond Street and the Jubilee Line to Waterloo for a train to Motspur Park.
I would have taken this route yesterday from Moorgate, but I was advised otherwise by a station guy at Moorgate.
In the end today, I took a bus to King’s Cross and got the Victoria Line from there.
I took these pictures of the elderly Class 455 train en route.
Although at forty, it was still in good condition.
I took these pictures of the new bridge at Motspur Park station.
Note.
- The two-button lift controls. Would they be faster if single-button?
- I am surprised that solar roofs weren’t fitted as at Denmark Hill station.
- The station must be the only station in London with an island platform and three lifts. See Picture 6.
- PPicture 6 also clearly shows a ticket machine on the platform, which serves both entrances.
It certainly looks to be a comprehensive job well done.
Colindale Tube Station – 26th December 2024
Colindale station opened on Friday, so I went to have a look.
Note.
- Although not finished, it certainly works safely as a station.
- Currently, there is a one way system for passengers.
- It appears a lift is being installed.
- The lift shaft appears to be labelled as Cornish Concrete Products.
- Wikipedia reports that two large towers with 300 new homes will also be built directly adjacent to the new station building.
- There are no ticket barriers.
- On the platforms, there are no information screens! But maps are present.
How many other of London’s Underground stations need a rebuild to bring them up to a modern standard with respect to disabled access?
Housing Over Railway Stations
With a shortage of housing in the UK, should we be building more housing like this?
- Apartments over a step-free railway station.
- Shops and cafes at the ground level.
- Buses and taxis for local transport.
- Green space – There is a park opposite the station.
- Parking as needed.
As a non-driver, an apartment like this might just do for me!
But not in Colindale!
Kentish Town Station – 24th December 2024
Kentish Town station reopened today after the fitting of two new escalators.
It appears that only the two escalators have been replaced and the station has been redecorated.
The Guy With The Hat
Note in the pictures(18-24) going down the escalator, I was following a guy in a checked shirt and a wide-brimmed hat.
When a train was entering the station below he was having difficulty because of the updraft keeping hold of the hat.
Does This Station Need A Lift?
This article on the BBC is entitled Kentish Town Tube Station Reopens After 18 Months.
Nothing is said about why the eighteen months wasn’t used to fit a lift to make the station fully step-free.
There have been two Mayor’s Questions about putting in lifts at Kentish Town station and both answers were similar. This was the first answer.
TfL has carried out a high-level investigation into installing lifts at Kentish Town. It has indicated that the scheme would involve digging new tunnels and installing a new lift shaft in a very constrained worksite adjacent to the main road and busy operational railways. Due to the complexity of this project and therefore high estimated cost, in the region of £40m, Kentish Town is not being considered as part of the £200m five-year programme.
This Google Map shows Kentish Town station.
Note the footbridge over the station leading over the National Rail station to the Underground station marked by the red logo.
In any scheme to make all of Kentish Town station step-free, this bridge would surely be made step-free or replaced by perhaps a tunnel under the railway.
Costs would be very high, even with a very expensive development on top, which was making a contribution.
Unless an architectural genius comes up with a better scheme, I think what has just been installed, will be the best that can be provided.
Camden Council will probably find it better to send disabled taxis.
Old Street Station – 29th November 2024
I went back to the station today and took more pictures of the parts, I didn’t photograph yesterday.
Note.
- I arrived in and left from Silicon Roundabout via City Road to the South.
- There is a single lift on the North-East side of the roundabout to give access to the lower level.
- There is no lift access to the platforms.
This map from Transport for London shows the future layout of Old Street Roundabout.
The step-free access could be better.
Abergavenny Station – 13th October 2024
For a trip today, I went to Abergavenny station to see the progress on the new step-free bridge and take a few pictures.
Note.
- The station has several unusual features.
- The car park could take all of about six cars.
- The current bridge would be dangerous for the elderly with shopping trolleys.
- Network Rail seem to be explaining the work in more detail, than usual.
Why is it that each new step-free station bridge appears to be a different design?
The Anonymous Widower 