2. Northampton Station re-development

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2013 > 20. The Cathedrals Express & Northampton re-development-20.04.13 > 2. Northampton Station re-development
Whilst some preliminary work had started on Northampton station's much-needed re-development it was essentially as it had been since the last time it was re-built in 1966. I decided to capture some images of the old station as all too quickly this will be forgotten as the much larger and more grandiose structure takes shape to replace it.
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Images 1-15 of 15 displayed.

350261, LM 09.14 Birmingham New Street-London Euston & 350255, stabled, Northampton station from Westbridge Road (A428) A scene taken from the Westbridge Road bridge looking northwards through Northampton station shows the footbridge and platforms. In the plans that I have seen, the footbridge and lifts are to be replaced and relocated much nearer to the camera. To the right 350261 waits at platform one working London Midland's 09.14 Birmingham to Euston service whilst to the left 350255 is seen stabled in the Riverside sidings. Keywords: 350261 09.14 Birmingham New Street-London Euston 350255 Northampton station from Westbridge Road A428 London Midland Desiro
350261, LM 09.14 Birmingham New Street-London Euston & 350255, stabled, Northampton station from Westbridge Road (A428) Taken from the top of a short flight of steps that affords access to the station from Northampton's Westbridge Road a wider-angle view of the small car park and platforms beyond is seen. To the bottom left is an access road to the rear car park where spotters can gather close to the line and take their photographs but I suspect that when the station is redeveloped this favoured spot will be closed off. Notice the 'Northampton Lighthouse' (as dubbed by Terry Wogan) standing above the scene to the top left. Being almost in the centre of the country it isn't a lighthouse but rather the Express lift tower used once for testing lifts prior to installation. Keywords: 350261 09.14 Birmingham New Street-London Euston 350255 Northampton station from Westbridge Road A428 London Midland Desiro
Northampton station entrance & archaeological dig site for the castle The re-development of Northampton's station should have been at a more advanced stage by now but for the discovery of archaeological remains under the front car park. The area being excavated and catalogued is presently cordoned off behind the screens to the right whilst the station struggles to function with its front car park being out of use. This photograph is taken from the main entrance with Westbridge Road to the left. Notice the cast iron railings in the centre that survived the 1965-66 redevelopment being installed at a much earlier time. Keywords: Northampton station entrance & archaeological dig site for the castle
Northampton station entrance According to the plans that I have seen, this view will be totally changed with the re-development of Northampton's new station. The main building will dominate this view with steps rising to the elevated concourse. The roofs of the fabled 'three cowsheds', as dubbed by architectural critics of the time can be seen behind the traffic lights. The 1966 station was designed by Ray Moorcroft who was also responsible for Euston. Keywords: Northampton station entrance
Frontage, Northampton station The architect Ray Moorcroft 'designed' the station at Northampton that was opened in 1966. However, I agree with critics of the time who suggest that it is of 'questionable architectural value' dubbing as being akin to three cowsheds joined together! This view of the main entrance is a little compromised by the hoardings installed to protect archaeological excavations taking place in what was the front car park. Keywords: Ray Moorcroft Frontage Northampton station
Frontage, Northampton station It says 'Welcome to Northampton'. Quite rightly, one has to question if this station is consummate with a town of some 230,000 people. Consequently, the station is about to be demolished and a grand new structure built in its place on an elevated position behind where I am standing. This will be the third incarnation of the station at this location with continuing talk of an additional 'parkway' station somewhere north or south of the town such has been the recent growth in rail travel. Keywords: Frontage Northampton station
Foyer, Northampton station The foyer of Northampton station is surprisingly quiet on this Saturday morning. It has become completely inadequate with the growth in rail travel with this scene on a busy weekday morning being totally different packed with commuters heading for London. Keywords: Foyer Northampton station
Foyer, Northampton station A second view of the hoplessly small foyer at Northampton station. Probably when the station was opened in 1966 it suited the needs of the time but as rail travel has grown dramatically in recent years it has been outgrown. I am not sure what facilities will be available in the new station but I hope that it will be more than a tiny WH Smiths, a Pumpkin café and a small coffee bar. Keywords: Foyer, Northampton station
Frontage, Northampton station from car park The station frontage at Northampton is seen from the recently opened double-decker car park. A strict one-way system is in operation at present as the front car park is closed off due to archaeological excavations prior to the building of the new station building. The 'three cowsheds' (as dubbed by critics) that make up the present station are seen clearly in this view. Keywords: Frontage Northampton station from car park
DR792417 & track maintenance stock, Northampton Yard A rake of rail grinders are seen lined up in the somewhat overgrown backyard at Northampton. I am standing on the upper deck of the new multi-storey car park monstrosity! Keywords: DR792417 track maintenance stock Northampton Yard
Former goods and postal loading bays, Northampton station The now-disused goods and postal bays are seen at the back of Northampton station. I am not sure if the pending rebuilding of the station will see these now long-redundant buildings knocked down and rebuilt. Keywords: Former goods and postal loading bays Northampton station
350110, LM 09.33 Birmingham New Street-London Euston, Northampton station Taken through the slatted steel fence behind Northampton's platform one the 09.33 Birmingham New Street to Euston train is seen worked (at the front at least) by 350110. The footbridge and lift tower are seen above the train. These will soon be knocked down as part of the station's huge new redevelopment. Keywords: 350110 09.33 Birmingham New Street-London Euston Northampton station London Midland Desiro
350109, LM 09.49 London Euston-Birmingham New Street, Northampton station Framed by Northampton's Westbridge (A428) bridge 350109 is seen working the 09.49 Euston to Birmingham New Street service. I am standing in the rear station car park that affords reasonable views of the lines to the south of the station. However, according to the plans for the station redevelopment, this area is going to be closed off to the public and us photographers alike to become secure parking for railway staff. Therefore, views such of this will soon become a thing of the past. Keywords: 350109 09.49 London Euston-Birmingham New Street Northampton station London Midland Desiro
Entrance, Northampton station The existing front entrance to Northampton's station is seen across the A428 Westbridge Road. According to the plans that I have seen this scene will soon be dominated by the new station building. The pedestrian entrance will be up some steps from approximately where the white sign is located. Keywords: Entrance Northampton station
Promotional signage, Northampton station The promise of things to come! This is what the rail-travelling public of Northampton will be greeted within a year or two's time and not before time. The present station is now hopelessly outdated and inadequate so the new station should be welcomed by all. Keywords: Promotional signage, Northampton station.

Images 1-15 of 15 displayed.