What's Not In Nottingham (1)

 It All Began With A Picture

fbb did not have a clue! 

One helpful chappie revealed that it was Weekday Cross junction in Nottingham.

tbb still did not have a clue!

So he started seeking anywhere in Nottingham that might fit the picture.

fbb could find nothing that resembled the picture in any way.

Other pictures appeared which showed that the lines were closed and the track removed.

fbb still didn't have a clue; but began to guess.

So fbb will begin his adventure by reviewing Nottingham's FIVE railway stations that might be designated city centre facilities. In order of opening ...

1848 : Nottingham (Midland)

The above somewhat fanciful engraving shows the first station, the River Trent (?) and, somewhat romantically, the excrescence upon which stands the so-called Nottingham Castle.

The station was rebuilt in 1904 ...

... significantly upgraded in 2114 ..

... and is the only one still open. 

1857 : Nottingham London Road Low Level

The station closed in 1944 but the main building still exists as part of a Virgin Health and Leisure Centre.

 1899 - Nottingham Arkwright Street

Closed in 1963. Re-opened in 1967; closed in 1969.   a story to tell there.

1899 - Nottingham London Road High Level

Closed in 1967. All signs of station and track have been obliterated.

1900 -!ottingham Victoria

Cosed in 1967. There is no evidence of the station building today.

Nottingham Station Street (Tram)

Not strictly a railway station, but a stop on the NET tram network for interchange with Nottingham Midland Station, Opened in 2004, closed in 2015.

Nottingham Station (Tram)

Opened in 2015, still open and fully integrated with the National Rail Station.

There are, of course, other tram stops in the city centre ...

... but those pictured are, effectively, part of the National Rail station and, as such, do deserve a mention.

Historic Snippet

A Very fuzzy picture to remind us that the Midland Pullman ran an infill service between St Pancras (below) and Nottingham (above) as part of its prestigious service to Manchester.

It was very high quality with silver service ...

... of meals cooked on board.

Those were the days.

The tale of that headline picture continues tomorrow. In the meantime, readers can ponder the map below.

It may help.

Or maybe not!

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 M entions of  M essiah

Yet again fbb forgot yesterday's Quirky Question, so here it is ...

Which prophet used his unfaithful wife as a "visual aid" in his writing?

Many people misunderstand what a "prophet" was in Bible times.

A Bible prophet was a man whose faith and commitment to God was very strong. As a student of a wide range of Godly writings, many of which have long since been lost; as a man of dedication to prayer and worship - the prophet would have a deep understanding of God's lordship and purposes.

They would use powerful "visual aids" in their work.

Ezekiel had some scary but challenging visions of God in Heaven ...

... which are well nigh impossible to create in a picture. Weird but very powerful.

Quirky Answer : Hosea lost his wife when she sold herself into prostitution ...

... but he bought her back - with money - he redeemed her.

Someone else paid a much greater price to buy back humanity from its prostitution to the power of sin.

The word Messiah is used for one who is appointed to offer himself in sacrificial service to others - a Saviour in fact.

Because of their insight and dedication to God, Prophets were "inspired" - ideas were "breathed in" - by God; some of these were, indeed, visions of the future. Here is what Isaiah wrote ...

... pretty stunning some 500 years before it happened.

Quirky Question : According to the Bible, where was the manger in which baby Jesus was laid?

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 Next Nottingham blog : Sun 14th December