Today’s the final day where Huddersfield station retains its current shape. Lines – and the station – close tonight until September 29th. When the station reopens its transformation will be well underway. So, I’m out and about looking at the way the forthcoming blockade is changing stations in the area – as it’s not just Huddersfield.
A general view of the West end of the station. Whilst the main trainshed roof will remain the smaller one to the left will disappear, along with the island platform as this side of the station will be extensively remodelled to accommodate an extra island platform, creating four through platforms. The old stabling sidings at Huddersfield have disappeared. Now, part of the former goods yard is a storage site for hardcore.Giant cranes dominate the station, ready to lift in new bridge segments.Platform 1 has been stripped bare of shelters and kiosks. The scaffolding that shrouded the roof has also disappeared.The former Huddersfield signalbox. Located on the island platform, it will disappear in order to make way for the new wing of the station. The station subway, always a cold place – even in the height of summer. The new platforms will be accessible from a footbridge with lifts. Looking through the station from the by the bufferstops on the bay platforms. The old wooden station building that occupied the site where the seats are on the right has been carefully dismantled and will be re-erected on the new platform in the future. A last look at the East (Leeds) end of the station. The bufferstops of the two bay platforms are visible to the right. One can only fit a a single 2 car and the other a 3 car so are inadequate for the modern railway. They’ll be replaced by two full length through platforms. Brighouse is about to become the railhead for Huddersfield. This has involved extending the station car-park and providing shelter for passengers waiting for buses onwards.In recent years Brighouse has had its platforms lengthened as part of the TRU upgrade. The place has recently had a spring-clean, which has added to the excellent work done by the local station friends group. There’s worse places to wait for a train than Brighouse. The friends group keep the place looking attractive and whilst there’s not many amenities on the station there’s a real ale pub and cafe right outside. This is Deighton station. It closes tonight. It won’t reopen for two years – when the line here has been four tracked. Here’s how the new station will look. Picture copyright of TRU. Here’s a scene which will vanish today. The bridge in the background will be replaced by a new structure. A TPE Class 802 speeds West through Deighton. Four tracking is already underway at this point The King’s Head pub on Huddersfield also closes tonight. Fancy a pint? All beers are half price today…
Over the weekend I’ll compose a picture-blog looking back over the life of Huddersfield station as I’ve seen it. Unfortunately I only have pictures from the 1990s onwards, which is a shame as I first passed through in the early 1970s, but the memory’s a bit hazy nowadays!
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Paul Bigland 