Baker Street Station Sub Surface platforms

[silverfoxcc]

Am i correct in saying that when built, the two original platforms had 'skylights' that illuminated the area, and if the fancy took them, passengers could look up and see the sky?

[crusty54]

Aug 16, 2018 18:49:13 GMT silverfoxcc said:

Am i correct in saying that when built, the two original platforms had 'skylights' that illuminated the area, and if the fancy took them, passengers could look up and see the sky?

There were light wells and the positions can still be seen. They have white tiles in them now. Also let the steam escape.

There were also chandeliers above the trains. These were supposed to be replicated when the platforms were last modernised.

This would have illuminated the platforms to a much better level than now.

[2pintz]

Aug 16, 2018 22:25:52 GMT crusty54 said:

Aug 16, 2018 18:49:13 GMT silverfoxcc said:

There were also chandeliers above the trains. These were supposed to be replicated when the platforms were last modernised.

This would have illuminated the platforms to a much better level than now.

I wonder if this would be something the Railway Heritage Trust would fund / part fund in the future?

[crusty54]

Aug 17, 2018 8:18:39 GMT 2pintz said:

Aug 16, 2018 22:25:52 GMT crusty54 said:

I wonder if this would be something the Railway Heritage Trust would fund / part fund in the future?

I've just noticed that they have installed them.

[brigham]

My favourite station. Any pics?

[Ben]

crusty54, by chandeliers, do you mean the orbs?

[goldenarrow]

In my opinion this 1985 shot of the platforms seems to be closer to the well circulated illustration that depicts the station solely lit through the down lighters and not the glare of the gas lamps.

1863 illustration sourced from the NRM Pictorial Collection.


1985 shot of the same sourced from www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/monthly_06_2014/post-6971-0-35717000-1402600311.jpg

[londoner]

I think the station is really showing its age. I noticed on the route from the eastbound circle to northbound met, it looks as if some construction work is occurring. If I am not mistaken, I thought I saw a coffee brand on one of the boards, is this true or am I mistaken?

[holborncentral]

I love those platforms. It's like a Victorian time capsule and I can just picture people dressed in the elaborate suits and dresses of the era standing and waiting for their trains. I'd love to go down there one day wearing a Victorian-style dress. I love how not a lot has changed apart from modern signage and some renovations here and there.

[brigham]

Aug 18, 2018 23:35:08 GMT londoner said:

I think the station is really showing its age...

Yes, that's what I like about it.
It was my favourite vantage point during the steam events.

[crusty54]

For many years the "bricks" were hidden behind hoardings.

When these were removed the walls were in very poor condition. This was because of water ingress. Some is still evident at the Edgware Road end. I understand this was mainly caused by a leaking water main.

This may have finally been repaired last year.

London Stone were given the job of restoring the "brickwork". They removed damaged sections and replaced it with a paste. Once set, brick shapes were cut into it and then the gaps were pointed to look like finished walls..

(This also happened at Paddington were some of the repairs have fallen off.)

[Chris W]

Aug 18, 2018 22:42:43 GMT goldenarrow said:

In my opinion this 1985 shot of the platforms seems to be closer to the well circulated illustration that depicts the station solely lit through the down lighters and not the glare of the gas lamps.

1863 illustration sourced from the NRM Pictorial Collection.


1985 shot of the same sourced from www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/monthly_06_2014/post-6971-0-35717000-1402600311.jpg

IMG_1514 by Chris Westcott, on Flickr

The same scene on Sunday 13 January 2013