Have Thither Been Via Hither Green (1)

From Nothing To Suburbia

Hither Green went from a tiny hamlet (upper left) to an important railway junction where lines to Orpington and points south diverge from the southern arm of the so-called Dartford Loop. But initially there was no station. For that you have to blame a Scotsman.

Much of the Victorian terraced housing dates from the late 19th century when social reformer and Scottish Member of Parliament Archibald Cameron Corbett ...

... built numerous houses on 278 acres of land he purchased from North Park Farm, this was to become known as the Corbett Estate.

The station was opened in 1895, some thirty years after the junction was built.

The original booking hall at the new-build station was at the end of Staplehurst Road

A further hall was added to Hither Green Station on Springbank Road to cater for people living on the other side of the line.

Many of the road names are of Scottish origin, as Corbett was a Scot. Due to his Quaker origins, the area was devoid of a public house and remains so. He gave the land for St Andrew's Church, dedicated to Scotland's patron saint.

The road network is largely unchanged ...

... but the station is much altered. The depot (bottom right) was once at Engine Shed ...

... now a depot used by various railway industry contractors.

No steam locos stay there, but at least some railway wagons are stored there at they handle work for Notwork Rail.

But, if you go to Staplehurst Road there is no longer any sign of a station building ...

... just the double arrow logo atop a pole.

What of the other entrance on Springbank Road. From old photos this looks much more promising ...

... but you will search in vain for this building. Nothing is left!

Or, maybe ...

The building on the left was the Stationmaster's house, No 69 Springbank Road and ...

... there it is - next to a block of flats which have replaced to former station yard. The old yard gateposts still stand.

Tomorrow, we will look at Hither Green Station today.

In the meantime ...

Shillingstone Station Supplement

fbb mentioned in passing the N gauge resin cast model of Shillingstone signalbox without really explaining about it. (Shame!!!)

The village lies abouy half way between Blandford Forum and Sturminster Newton. Shillingstone was a stop on the celebrated but long-gone Somerset and Dorset Railway.

The station is now in the hands of a preservation group and much of the location is still in place.

Today's picture of the same spot looks  very similar ...

...although the real railway never painted its concrete platelayers' huts cream and green!

But Shillingstone Station hides a little secret - the signal box was demolished soon after the line was closed! What we see now is a faithful reproduction of what was once there!

Bachmann decided to model a range of Shillingstone buildings for N gauge ... station building ...

... goods shed ...

... and even the platelayers' hut!

Bachmann gave a share of the profits to support the restoration project.

Impressive but expensive models if you wish to re-create the atmosphere of the famous S & D.

P.S. The Shillingstone models no longer appear in the Bachmann catalogue but other signal boxes are available. Pre-owned offers appear from time to time.

 Next Hither Green blog : Wednesday 26th May 

Just A Thought

However you may choose to interpret that astounding gift of God's "Spirit" at Pentecost, you cnanot argue with history.

A small group of men, skulking behind closed doors for fear of suffering the fate of their Leader, Jesus the Christ, found themselves inspired to go out and take the Gospel message throughout the Mediterranean area. Churches were established in Turkey, Greece, Italy, Spain and Alexandria. From here the message spread until one brave missionary priest landed near the town of Canterbury and established a church there, (later Canterbury Cathedral).

Which us why the head of the Church of England is the Archbishop of Canterbury and not the Archbishop of London!

With the early church came hospitals, education and social care, all emanating from the New Testament faith.

It all started at Pentecost. Peter explained it to the goggle-eyed crowds at Jerusalem (Book of Acts, Chapter 2).

“Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, listen to me and let me tell you what this means. These people are not drunk, as you suppose; it is only nine o'clock in the morning. Instead, this is what the prophet Joel (in the Old Testament) spoke about":-

"This is what I will do in those days", God says:

"I will pour out my Spirit on everyone.

Your sons and daughters will proclaim my message;

your young men will see visions,

and your old men will have dreams.

Yes, even on my servants, both men and women,

I will pour out my Spirit in those days,

and they will proclaim my message."

And they did - and they still do!