BBC News - Victoria in 1973 (and more)

[sh24]

In pictures: Photos show London Victoria railway station in 1973

A trip down memory lane to the days when a journey to Ostend was as possible as one to Orpington.

www.bbc.co.uk

The photographers website - the Clapham Junction album has a few fabulous images in too

Up the Junction - photo-i

Clapham between 1971 and 1973

photo-i.co.uk

 

[Bald Rick]

Looking at those it is striking to see how much changed in society between the early 1970s and early 1980s.

 

[Helvellyn]

The Victoria images really show the Brighton side well. It's a shame the overall roof went on that side. Whilst not spectacular architecturally there's just something about natural light making a station more welcoming.

The BR corporate image also comes across strongly.

 

[Revaulx]

The Victoria images really show the Brighton side well. It's a shame the overall roof went on that side. Whilst not spectacular architecturally there's just something about natural light making a station more welcoming.

The BR corporate image also comes across strongly.

Smaller/narrower stations that have been built over (Charing X, Fenchurch St, the east side of Liverpool St) don't seem to have been as badly affected in this regard. There's something particularly oppressive about the Brighton Side of Victoria; it's as bad as Euston. Maybe it's the contrast with the concourse which has miraculously retained its original roof.

Also there's something particularly attractive about the profile of the Bulleid coaching stock.

 

[WolvertonWorks]

I loved the photos showing the platform tickets machine below "Please show tickets" - a polite request - and also the time of the train to France.

And those machines that used to dispense a bar of chocolate bring back memories.

 

[Helvellyn]

Smaller/narrower stations that have been built over (Charing X, Fenchurch St, the east side of Liverpool St) don't seem to have been as badly affected in this regard. There's something particularly oppressive about the Brighton Side of Victoria; it's as bad as Euston. Maybe it's the contrast with the concourse which has miraculously retained its original roof.

Also there's something particularly attractive about the profile of the Bulleid coaching stock.

Was Victoria done first of the London stations in the 1980s? Perhaps they learnt some lessons for the others.

 

[Ashley Hill]

Some wonderful photos of society here. Interesting to see that the guard in 1973 appears to still be wearing a lion and wheel cap badge and old uniform whilst the porter wears the latest style.

 

[yorksrob]

From the website: "seeing the slam door trains is a reminder of how dangerous things were"

Bit of a wet comment. I'd take them over our death trap roads anyday.

Otherwise, nice article.

We had those chocolate machines at Ashford back in the 80's !

 

[WesternLancer]

Was Victoria done first of the London stations in the 1980s? Perhaps they learnt some lessons for the others.

That’s a good question actually. May have been.

Pretty sure it was before Liverpool Street. Not sure about Fenchurch Street.

 

[nw1]

From the website: "seeing the slam door trains is a reminder of how dangerous things were"

And of course you don't have to go back to 1973 to find them.

 

[yorksrob]

And of course you don't have to go back to 1973 to find them.

Yes, and somehow we managed to have survived ....

 

[Bald Rick]

Yes, and somehow we managed to have survived ....

Well, yes, those people that are still writing about it did.

A not insignificant number of people can’t write about it, though.

 

[yorksrob]

Well, yes, those people that are still writing about it did.

A not insignificant number of people can’t write about it, though.

Just like the hundreds upon hundreds more who've perished on our deathtrap roads, yet no one seems to do anything about that !

I'd take my chances on a compartively safe slam door train any day !

 

[Chrius56000]

. . .And had Green Enamel B.R. Southern Region Signage gone from these major South London Terminals by 1971–1973?

 

[Rescars]

. . .And had Green Enamel B.R. Southern Region Signage gone from these major South London Terminals by 1971–1973?

Almost completely as I recall, but there were a few stalwart survivors tucked away. Memories play tricks, but IIRC there was a large green board indicating "Victoria x00 yards" on the cutting wall near to the Eastern side signal box which took a while to disappear.