History Leicester railway station

1 history

1.1 station buildings
1.2 london, midland , scottish railway
1.3 british railways
1.4 privatisation
1.5 station masters

history

leicester station in 1900s

leicester 1 of first cities (though town) served railway, when leicester , swannington railway built terminus station @ west bridge on western side of leicester in 1832. leicester , swannington railway later absorbed midland railway.

in total leicester had 7 railway stations (eight if 2 sites @ west bridge treated separately). in addition current leicester station 3 other main railway stations existed. original station @ west bridge closed passengers in 1928. leicester belgrave road (on great northern railway) closed passengers in 1962 , leicester central (on great central railway) closed in may 1969. until time current leicester station known leicester london road.

in addition there smaller stations within city boundary @ humberstone road on lms, humberstone on gnr, , 1874 until 1918 halt @ welford road operated on leicester – london main line allowing access cattle market. @ halt passengers allowed leave trains not board them.

the station buildings

detail of frontage

the contract first station on present site awarded midland counties railway waterfield , smith, , under £15,000 (equivalent £1,242,900 in 2016).

it first used on 4 may 1840, when train of 4 first , 6 second-class carriages, pulled leopard steam engine, arrived nottingham. normal in days through station, original plan build side of main line, instead built on main line single platform 165 yards long handle both northbound , southbound trains. station designed william parsons in grecian revival style, 2 storey main building embellished central pediment set forward on fluted columns in front. flanked short single-storey wings. headquarters of midland counties railway until railway amalgamated midland railway in 1844. upstairs company offices , boardroom, while downstairs booking hall, waiting , refreshment rooms.

the opening of new routes leicester led steadily increasing traffic, , 1858 second platform had been built handle southbound traffic, leaving original platform handle northbound traffic. in 1868 decided turn southbound platform island platform further increase capacity, not possible northbound platform due presence of main buildings , station entrance.

further expansion contemplated time, not until 1890 go ahead given campbell street station replaced present leicester railway station. remains of first station pair of gateposts in egyptian style @ end of station street. offices royal mail occupy of site of old station buildings on campbell street.

the midland railway rebuilt station between 1892 , 1894 design architect charles trubshaw. new booking office opened mayor in june 1892 when renamed leicester london road. station completed in 1894. frontage on london road featured 4 entrance archways. above each of left-hand pair word departure inscribed; , above each of other two, word arrival carved in relief. these signs assist cab drivers when dropping passengers intended catch departing trains, or plying hire passengers had arrived train.

the new station frontage on london road remains well-preserved late victorian building, interior of booking hall , structures on platforms reconstructed sir robert mcalpine in 1978.

the station clock hand-wound station clock in uk.

a commemorative statue of thomas cook placed on pavement outside present station in 1991 mark first excursions arranged travel agency magnate. sculpted james butler.

london, midland , scottish railway

until line matlock chinley through millers dale closed in beeching era, main lines london manchester, carrying named expresses such palatine. express trains leeds , scotland such thames-clyde express tended use erewash valley line before proceeding on settle , carlisle line. expresses edinburgh, such waverley travelled through corby , nottingham.

view on down side of station 1962



view northwards, towards derby , nottingham in 1961



platform level in 1974, before rebuilding


british railways

when sectorisation introduced in 1980s, station served intercity sector until privatisation of british railways.

with advent of power signalling in 1986, signal box , crossovers disappeared, , tracks approaching station relaid allow trains direction enter or leave platform.

privatisation

upon privatisation of british rail, station became owned railtrack , later network rail, though, in common british railway stations, day-to-day operation contracted out largest user of station, in case midland mainline (east midlands trains predecessor). midland mainline continued refurbish station installation of large electronic departure board in station entrance hall , smaller boards on platforms.

in 2006, work started on installation of automatic ticket gates cut down on fare evasion. leicester city council issued plans redevelopment of station , surrounding area including total of 8 platforms.

east midlands trains intends refurbish first class lounge, standard waiting rooms , re-paint whole station in late 2010 follow re-surfacing of platforms took place throughout 2010.

station masters