Hellifield work

[Grumpy]

I have to agree that I prefer the "new" Euston to the old, even though it is a shame that the arch was disposed of.

That said, it is a refurbishment of an existing listed structure at Hellifield, last refurbished 20 years ago. It can't be demolished, so repair and refurbish is the way forward.

I suppose instead of spending all that money on the Forth Rail Bridge they should have just done a quick job on it because of all those other routes which need wider bridges, say Darwen - Bolton.

I'm sorry Grumpy, but restoration and maintenance, even in an organisation like network rail comes from separate allocations than capital improvements like adding shelters at tin pot marginal stations like yours.

I have no idea what point you are trying to make with the reference to the Forth rail bridge. That is clearly a critical operational structure, key to services to Fife and beyond and there is no choice but to spend whatever is necessary in order to keep it functioning.

I understand completely that "restoration and maintenance....., comes from separate allocations than capital improvements ". The point is that someone decides those allocations, and they seem to be badly skewed.

Your comment on my "tin pot marginal station" is illuminating. Ranking all stations in terms of annual users in 2011/12 then my station would be approx. a third of the way down the list i.e. two thirds of all UK stations have fewer users. If you consider mine tip pot and marginal what do you call the rest?

 

[RichmondCommu]

There is a very nice cafe there already, famous (so the sign says) for their 'Fireman's Breakfast'

I wonder if it's served on a shovel

On a different note it would be great to see the bay platform at the Blackburn end reinstated for trains running along the Clitheroe line.

 

[Andrew Nelson]

Is there still only one name-board on the down platform?

 

[55018ballymoss]

From what I understand the canopy is being treated due to concerns about asbestos in the canopy, and the opportunity is being taken to repaint it.
Unfortunately as Northern only use part of the canopy (for the part of the platform they have resurfaced and fenced), only the the canopy that overhangs that is being treated! The remainder of the station buildings are in private ownership (West Coast Railways I think?), and the canopy over the remainder of the station canopy may be treated later. This will make the station look rather daft for a while with refurbished canopy right next to unrefurbished!
As for the buildings, part is in use as a privately run buffet, and there is a model railway shop in the Northernmost building, accessed from the Up platform, but there is a lot of potential with most of the building not in use, though apart from when there are special trains due, the normal usage of the station is quite low.
Unfortunately, with the station building listed, any cheaper options such as removing the canopies are non starters.
Finally, the idea of reinstating the bay platforms is highly unlikely to happen in the medium term. The south end of the station was remodelled last year, and it is expected that will be the status quo until the signalling is upgraded and the signal box closed (currently expected in 2020) when there may be a better case for reinstating it.