Why do some old stations linger while others get obliterated?

[YorksLad12]

Hellos,

I've started commuting again from Leeds to Sheffield (joy), and depending on which route we take I pass through the substantial remains of Rotherham Masbro', Brightside and Attercliffe Road. There's even what looks like a platform at Parkgate and Rawmarsh (nowhere near the running line). None of these stations will be reopening, so why do the platforms persist? Even the old platforms at Chapeltown are still there, a bit along from the new ones.

Meanwhile, you wouldn't know where Altofts, Frickley, Ecclesfield, Hemsworth and a few others were if you didn't know where they were to start with.

Just curious. I mean, at least I know where I am when I see them

 

[Western 52]

I think BR often removed old platforms which were close to running lines, probably to save maintaining them to prevent parts falling off onto the track. I guess some would be removed if they were in the way of required development.

 

[Gloster]

Wasn’t Masborough retained in case problems might make Central unusable? Hasn’t it been used on occasions when Central was flooded?

 

[richard1976]

Wasn’t Masborough retained in case problems might make Central unusable? Hasn’t it been used on occasions when Central was flooded?

The footbridge was removed many years ago, so it can't be used.

 

[SargeNpton]

On the WCML there is the old island platform between the fast and slow lines at Castlethorpe (a few miles north of Wolverton). Possibly not removed if it provided the foundations for the piers supporting the overbridges at either end.

 

[YorksLad12]

On the WCML there is the old island platform between the fast and slow lines at Castlethorpe (a few miles north of Wolverton). Possibly not removed if it provided the foundations for the piers supporting the overbridges at either end.

Rotherham Masborough is similar, in that the arches for the Midland Road bridge land between the tracks. But you could always cut the platforms away and leave the bit around the piers. It's odd, innit, the ones that stay and the ones that go.

 

[Mikey C]

Primrose Hill station was closed in 1992, but the trackside buildings weren't demolished until 2008 as they were falling into disrepair, and presumably a danger to passing trains

 

[The exile]

I would imagine that the basic maxim has for a long time been “as long as it’s safe, why bother”

 

[YorksLad12]

As it happens, earlier in the week I was travelling backwards south through Masborough and noticed that the platform edges had all been lifted and turned over on the platform closed to the northbound running line. I couldn't see what the other platform was like, and I take the other route in the evening.

 

[150219]

I think BR often removed old platforms which were close to running lines, probably to save maintaining them to prevent parts falling off onto the track. I guess some would be removed if they were in the way of required development.

I'm not certain that was consistently the case. There have been a few closed stations that had platforms that could be used, almost in as good condition when they were in regular use, during BR days.

When new rolling stock has been introduced with clearance issues, there have been some amendments thereafter such as removal of platform coping stones.

As referenced above; if it didn't need removing, then there was probably no need to do anything that would incur an unnecessary cost.

 

[Gloster]

I think one of the considerations was whether coping stones might be shifted by a severe frost or earth movement: if they did they could impinge on the loading-gauge and be a risk to passing trains. The same could also apply if there was a risk of the platform wall bulging.

 

[swt_passenger]

Is it possible that removal of the platform support walls might mean the ballast shoulder on that side would need enlarging and its supporting foundation layers would then have to be rebuilt?

 

[Penmorfa]

Talacre on the North Wales coast line closed in 1966 but the pre cast platforms are still there, however no longer by the track as the previous 4 track is now 2.