Biggest Architectural loss to the railways?

[Daimler]

Am I the only one that doesn't think Euston is that bad? Sure, it may not have the majesty of somewhere like Bristol Temple Meads, but the huge concourse seems to handle the passenger numbers quite well and at least there are some windows providing light onto the concourse. The trains are also well hidden from the concourse itself.

The few windows at BHM look out under the canopy so the light is minimal.

Is this really a good thing? I know it could be argued that it is to the general public, but I'm not so sure - there's something special about a grand terminus, with the trains 'on display' as it were - look at St. Pancras, or Paddington - the very fact that the trainshed is such a feature makes them special. Compare this to hidden stations, such as Liverpool St. & Euston, and, well...they don't fare too well. Even if much of the romance is gone from train travel for the public, there's still something nice about watching arrivals and departures.

 

[jas_sl]

As for the re-devlopment of Euston... If anything... it should be done properley... and bring the Modern in with the heritage, like Kings Cross St Pancras???
rich

Do you mean treating the existing 60's station as heritage or a new build with "classic" styles? I can picture a situation where parts of the existing architecture are kept - although I don't have the vision for exactly what!

I'm also expecting 60's architecture to experience an increased level of protection as time goes on - people bulldozed Victorian structures because they didn't have the affinity with them in the same way we don't have affinity with 60's architecture today. But I doubt I will ever see a 60's building I will consider beautiful.

 

[Daimler]

Do you mean treating the existing 60's station as heritage or a new build with "classic" styles? I can picture a situation where parts of the existing architecture are kept - although I don't have the vision for exactly what!

I'm also expecting 60's architecture to experience an increased level of protection as time goes on - people bulldozed Victorian structures because they didn't have the affinity with them in the same way we don't have affinity with 60's architecture today. But I doubt I will ever see a 60's building I will consider beautiful.

An increased level of protection? Perhaps for a select few architectural 'milestones' but I doubt anyone will ever feel affection for '60s architecture in the same way as they do for, say, Victorian architecture. There's no visual interest, or evidence of great craftsmanship, or 'joie de vivre' in the architecture. There's no fun, no quirkiness, no splendour, no exuberance - they're utilitarian, and it's hard to feel fond of purely utilitarian structures.

 

[jas_sl]

An increased level of protection? Perhaps for a select few architectural 'milestones' but I doubt anyone will ever feel affection for '60s architecture in the same way as they do for, say, Victorian architecture. There's no visual interest, or evidence of great craftsmanship, or 'joie de vivre' in the architecture. There's no fun, no quirkiness, no splendour, no exuberance - they're utilitarian, and it's hard to feel fond of purely utilitarian structures.

I agree - I was more trying to point out that as more of these buildings disappear, you'll start seeing the "fondness" of them increase - the same thing happened with Victorian buildings; they were once considered old fashioned by 50's and 60's politicians and public alike, preferring their shiny new Euston stations. I'm sure the pattern will keep repeating - how else can you explain this eyesore being Grade II* listed! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trellick_Tower

Anyway, back to the thread - there are loads of lovely viaducts as well that have been disposed of. Why was this done - cost saving, safety?

 

[fgwrich]

Do you mean treating the existing 60's station as heritage or a new build with "classic" styles? I can picture a situation where parts of the existing architecture are kept - although I don't have the vision for exactly what!

I'm also expecting 60's architecture to experience an increased level of protection as time goes on - people bulldozed Victorian structures because they didn't have the affinity with them in the same way we don't have affinity with 60's architecture today. But I doubt I will ever see a 60's building I will consider beautiful.

More ment a new build but with quite a considerable amount of heritage tie ins... say a new build semi heritage Euston... Rebuilt with say a traditional style Glass roof and better platform surfaces... and obviously a new concourse...

Possibly abit like Chilterns through platforms at Birmingham Moor Street i suppose...

As for the listed 1960's buildings... ... tend to agree...The 1960's Civic centre overshadowing Plymouth station is now a listed building... despite the fact it's in a poor state, no one wants it... but Yep, its Grade 2 listed:roll:

rich
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I agree - I was more trying to point out that as more of these buildings disappear, you'll start seeing the "fondness" of them increase - the same thing happened with Victorian buildings; they were once considered old fashioned by 50's and 60's politicians and public alike, preferring their shiny new Euston stations. I'm sure the pattern will keep repeating - how else can you explain this eyesore being Grade II* listed! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trellick_Tower

Anyway, back to the thread - there are loads of lovely viaducts as well that have been disposed of. Why was this done - cost saving, safety?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trellick_Tower[/url]

Ok... cant really say much on here becasue it would include minor swear...

All i can say is WHO THE HECK LISTED THAT???

what next on the 1960 Listing list... you know, theres some nice 1970's houses here in basingstoke... anyone want to list them???

ie youd be mad enough to list that much from the 60's&70's...

Thinking about it.... were lucky then that Birmingham New Street hasnt been listed... just imagine that, one of the worst UK rail stations getting listed just becasue it's architecture from the 60's...

Shock Horror really...

 

[matchmaker]

Anyway, back to the thread - there are loads of lovely viaducts as well that have been disposed of. Why was this done - cost saving, safety?

I believe an attempt was made to demolish the beautiful viaducts at Cullen, but due to very strong local opposition this was dropped. They have now been turned into a walkway/cycletrack.

Thank goodness!

 

[The Engineer]

Though I agree that dissused viaducts are great features, there is a cost to maintaining them that someone has to pick up. Many still belong to the residual BR, and includes other structures on dissused lines such as bridges.

Where such have been included into footpaths and cycleways then the local authorities generally take over the maintenance.

Maintenace has to be carried out otherwise the viaducts would decay and start to drop big portions of stone. The safety implications of that speak for themselves!!

 

[DaveNewcastle]

Signal Boxes are exclusively railway archictecture.
Ranging from the massive box at Shrewsbury to the minature huts still at some level-crossings (even with a plastic portaloo hanging off the upper woodwork!) does anyone agree that many of these are excellent designs and include rare examples of their period fittings (esp on their windows) and are like no other buildings from their period?
Can we preserve some more before they decay and get demolished?

 

[asylumxl]

There is a nice signal box just outside St Albans on the south side which has been bought and restored by an organisation.

http://www.jo37.btinternet.co.uk/sigbox/

 

[The Planner]

As for HS2... im proberley one of a few in the country that thinks that way High Speed 2 in this county is being planned is poor... but im as intreeged on how they could get it into Birmingham...Mind you... some idiot a while back in one of the magazines suggested Moor Street as a terminous

Not a suggestion, but a real plan, only way you can easily put a 4 track railway into Birmingham is via the Solihull corridor. Bar some new car parks on the old trackbed, the existing formation is still there.

4 tracking the Coventry corridor was dropped long ago on cost grounds. Even then it was only Beechwood Tunnel to Stechford that was going to be done.