Evoking Memories at Moor Street Station...
Today I visited the bustling city centre of Birmingham with a friend of mine and, as we were within easy walking distance, I took the oppotunity to take a look at Moor Street Station. We had caught the train into Birmingham from Nuneaton, arriving at the dismal and seemingly unloved New Street Station, who's massive selection of tracks snake their way through tunnels to meet the platforms which themselves are below road-level. However, the beautifully modelled Moor Street Station is a completely different affair. This is because the station has, unlike many others, been restored to its 1930s condition. The results are fabulous. The place just echoes memories of the steam era and the Great Western Railway. The renovation has come at a cost however, approximately a £11 million in fact! Reproduction seating, a clock, signage, lamps etc have all been included to enhance the stations 1930s appeal. Currently, the station has 5 platforms, three of which are not connected to the network and are unused. Platforms 1 & 2 are served by Snow Hill, Stratford-upon-Avon, Tyseley etc services, mostly operated by Chiltern Railways. The stations Platform 5 has also become how another GWR antique...2884-Class Heavy Freight 2-8-0 No2885...
This large 2-8-0 was the 2nd member of the 2884-class and was built in 1938. She was allocated to Stourbridge Junction but, like many other engines, ended up at Barry Scrapyard following retirement. The engine went to Tyseley and was cosmetically restored before being sent for display at Moor Street following its 2002 refurbishment program. The locomotive, as seen today, is looking a little more worse for wear than she did on her arrival but is still, externally, looking 'OK'. Bare in mind that there are no cab fittings on the engine and both of the whistles have been removed. However, she still wears her number plates, whether original or not, on the cabsides. We have recently seen a 2884-class engine hard at work as regular visitors to this page will recall. This engine was No3850 who I met on the West Somerset Railway during my recent holiday there. However, it seems unlikely that No2885 will ever be restored to the same condition as No3850, in the near future at least. For now she is flying the flag for GWR steam at one its previous stamping grounds. 
Modern day passengers still have to cross the station concourse, which itself is covered by an overall roof, to meet Platforms 1 & 2. The concourse now includes the ticket office, waiting room and a small cafe. The signage is very impressive, recalling GWR days at their best...
The view from the cafe...
After a look at this beautifully restored station, we made our way back to New Street and caught one of those "modern" trains, namely a Class 170 'Turbostar', back to Nuneaton. Its a shame all stations cannot be kept in this condition! Thanks for reading folks. Good Evening.
Today I visited the bustling city centre of Birmingham with a friend of mine and, as we were within easy walking distance, I took the oppotunity to take a look at Moor Street Station. We had caught the train into Birmingham from Nuneaton, arriving at the dismal and seemingly unloved New Street Station, who's massive selection of tracks snake their way through tunnels to meet the platforms which themselves are below road-level. However, the beautifully modelled Moor Street Station is a completely different affair. This is because the station has, unlike many others, been restored to its 1930s condition. The results are fabulous. The place just echoes memories of the steam era and the Great Western Railway. The renovation has come at a cost however, approximately a £11 million in fact! Reproduction seating, a clock, signage, lamps etc have all been included to enhance the stations 1930s appeal. Currently, the station has 5 platforms, three of which are not connected to the network and are unused. Platforms 1 & 2 are served by Snow Hill, Stratford-upon-Avon, Tyseley etc services, mostly operated by Chiltern Railways. The stations Platform 5 has also become how another GWR antique...2884-Class Heavy Freight 2-8-0 No2885...
This large 2-8-0 was the 2nd member of the 2884-class and was built in 1938. She was allocated to Stourbridge Junction but, like many other engines, ended up at Barry Scrapyard following retirement. The engine went to Tyseley and was cosmetically restored before being sent for display at Moor Street following its 2002 refurbishment program. The locomotive, as seen today, is looking a little more worse for wear than she did on her arrival but is still, externally, looking 'OK'. Bare in mind that there are no cab fittings on the engine and both of the whistles have been removed. However, she still wears her number plates, whether original or not, on the cabsides. We have recently seen a 2884-class engine hard at work as regular visitors to this page will recall. This engine was No3850 who I met on the West Somerset Railway during my recent holiday there. However, it seems unlikely that No2885 will ever be restored to the same condition as No3850, in the near future at least. For now she is flying the flag for GWR steam at one its previous stamping grounds. 
Modern day passengers still have to cross the station concourse, which itself is covered by an overall roof, to meet Platforms 1 & 2. The concourse now includes the ticket office, waiting room and a small cafe. The signage is very impressive, recalling GWR days at their best...
The view from the cafe...
After a look at this beautifully restored station, we made our way back to New Street and caught one of those "modern" trains, namely a Class 170 'Turbostar', back to Nuneaton. Its a shame all stations cannot be kept in this condition! Thanks for reading folks. Good Evening.
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