Dear All,

 

I'm trying to find out some basic information about platforms in the LNER region around 1950-1960.

The particular information I'm seeking is

1) were all platforms tapered at the end or did they simply stop square ?

2) What were the tops of platform made of, concrete, stone , bitumen ?

3) I know that around 1970 a white line was on the edge of platforms but what happened before this anything?

Any help anyone can give would be appreciated.

 

Regards

Charles Wilson

Sydney Australia

 

Hi Charles.

Whilst I didn't spend much time studying platform design, I did grow up in the LNER region.

I'm not sure what you mean by "tapered at the end" - if you mean did they get narrower, then no, only when necessary to allow the tracks either side of them to converge.  If you mean did they have a ramp, then yes, unless they were either a terminus or built into something solid or where access from "ground level" was not permitted.

Platform tops were made of either stone or bitumen with concrete being the least favoured, depending on location and "local" supplies.  I suspect the major stations had tarmac surfaces whilst the smaller "rural" ones had York stone flags.  The platform edge was, as far as I'm aware, always stone but gradually, as repairs became necessary, they were replaced with pre-cast concrete.

There is a yellow line on platforms nowadays for safety.  Passengers must stand behind it to allow high speed trains to run through without any risk.  Again, as far as I can remember, there was always a white line on the very edge of the platform to show where it was.  A dark platform edge and a dark carriage subframe equals a black hole into which passengers could disappear ……………..:roll::roll:

It is possible that the line was introduced during the wartime black-out when train stations were heavily used.  i.e. the white line was definitely there before the 70's.

Hope that helps. :cheers

Dear Petermac,

Thankyou exactly what I was after.

Regards

Charles

Gees, another Aussie modelling LNER.

G'day .