Southampton Docks - 1969

[Bodie]

Hello,

Don't know the area too well, so forgive me if I am a little dumb.

Did Southampton have a station at the docks?

Am I right in thinking Central station isn't all that far anyhow???

Either way what motive power would have been on a train from there to London in 1969???

Thanks

Bodie

 

[EM2]

There used to be Southampton Flying Boat Terminal (last used in 1958) and Southampton Terminus (last used in 1966).

 

[Schnellzug]

There still is a line down to the cruise terminal at Eastern Docks, it's used by the boat trains run by DRS and the VSOE on occasion.

 

[Oracle]

Back in 1969 I think that they used Classes 33 and 74 to the Cunard Terminal in the Eastern Docks past the old Terminus site. I am sure that they had the dedicated Mk1 cars. I am wrackifng my brain trying to recall if there was a cruise terminal in the Western Docks at the time.

Central station is not far from the Docks, either Western, Eastern (bit futher) and Town Quay (for Cowes). There used to be a connecting bus run by the Southampton Corporation from the station to the Red Funnel ferry terminal. It's still running and free, but run by Blue Star.

 

[jopsuk]

Central apparentlyt used to be right on the coast. The station hasn't moved; the coast did.

 

[Schnellzug]

there also used to be a system of internal lines within the docks, including a line that connected the Western and Eastern Docks going past Town Quay, on which the class 07 shunters (and before that, the USA Tanks) were used.

 

[swt_passenger]

Central apparentlyt used to be right on the coast. The station hasn't moved; the coast did.

Southampton West in those days. Seen here from above the down side buildings, tunnel in the left background. The docks were built by the SR. I wonder if they had to have much of a consultation.

http://www.plimsoll.org/resources/SCCLibraries/3284.asp

Relevant to your point about the coastline moving, it could be considered that the town moved as well. In the heyday of the main Southampton station (eventually Southampton Terminus) the 'centre of gravity' of the town centre was well to the south as well. The post war expansion to the north was a major reason for Terminus becoming disused.