Tyne And Wear Has A Metro ...
... with shiny new trains and plans for extensions, notably to Washington, currently lacking rail transport.
This picture popped up on line ...
... of the 'northbound' exit from Newcastle Central station from way back. fbb says 'northbound' which is true for the main line to Edinburgh which turns left after leaving the station. But trains to the south via Sunderland and the coast leave turning right. In the good but very old days the junctions were complex.
So was the signalling. A driver would need excellent route knowledge to read the pegs; even more skills to read the flickering oil lamps at night.
The best place to view the junction is from the Castle seen here from the platforms in ancient times.
And a map.
So here is a later but elevated view, but still in the days of steam.
On the right are North Tyneside's electrified suburban lines.
We move on to diesel days ...
... when slick suburban electrics became standard diesel units. The junctions have been simplified.
With the arrival of the Metro, those suburban platforms were taken out of use ...
... and the junctions further simplified.
The main line to Edinburgh is now electrified and the Metro is below ground ...
... approaching the station via the Queen Elizabeth bridge across the Tyne.
Today the trains look like this!
The Blue one is similar from Lumo (First Rail).
Puzzle Picture
The picture above is of Sheffield 'Midland' station from way back before the onslaught if the motor car. Here us a view showing the new fangled electric tram tracks!
In both the above shots notice the serried ranks of terraced housing on the steep hillside.
The station gains a name board for The Midland Railway ...
... later to become British Railways.
Note that in the above, vehicles had access to both sides if the undercover area, with a central walkway in between.
Improvements were made to the station environs ...
... and the low quality terraces have been replaced by what turned out to be low quality Park Hill flats. Fortunately, plenty of greenery has been left. Note also the bus stops, conveniently close to the station. Now they are inconveniently further away, located in the middle of the fountain.
The fountain is replaced by a more lavish water feature ...
... where the bus stops used to be.
The whole of the covered station access roadway has been glazed ...
... and given a new floor for a lavish ticket hall ...
... and passenger circulating area.
BUT ... bus interchange is all further away from the trains. Here is a view as fbb knew it as he settled into academe in the Steel City.
Bottom left is the terminus of Sheffield Transport route 60 which conveyed folk right into the town centre, to the University, uni halls of residence and to the fbb home near the Crimicar Lane terminus.
The terminus remained there ...
... well into PTE days.
The main city stop for this important route is now a tedious half a mile from the station platforms.
Such is progress!
But closer to hand is the tram stop which is located at the eastern exit ...
... and at the end of the main station footbridge. The tram is not as frequent as the 60 used to be!
Sheffield does not have a Metro and not much of a suburban train service.
Tomorrow we go loopy!
Next SL11 blog : Wednesday 4th Feb
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