The Buildings on Station Road, west side – late 1970s.
This section contains a series of photographs showing the general environment and layout of the buildings on the west side of Station Road. Our short walk starts under the railway bridge at Harlaxton Road, The first photograph shows the view through the archway towards the town centre. We will pass through this archway and then immediately turn right to begin the walk up Station Road. Halfway along Station Road the subway entrance under the railway will come into view. As many will remember, this was the recognised "spotters' route" to the engine sheds. Further on we will find the main entrance to the station before we finish up in the goods shed area at the south end of the station.
Barrowby Road bridge looking in an easterly direction towards town. Station Road is to the right under the bridge. Photograph taken by Mel SmithHaving now passed through the archway seen on the left under the bridge, we find ourselves at the bottom of Station Road which leads off to the left in this view. Straight ahead is Old Wharf Road, which used to lead to the terminus of the Grantham Canal and also the site of Grantham's first railway station (Ambergate Wharf). Photograph taken by Mel SmithWalking up Station Road and looking back, we have a view of the subway on the left and the pedestrian crossing. This subway, still in use today, was used by countless train spotters on their way to the engine shed area located on the west side of the station. Photograph taken by Mel SmithAnother view of the subway leading to the engine shed and staff canteen. Note the missing beacon on the crossing! Photograph taken by Mel SmithWe could not resist a short detour through the Subway to the other side of the tracks. The old entrance to the shed is now bricked up and is hidden somewhere under the greenery on the right - do you have any memories of visits, please let us know. Photograph taken by Mel SmithBack through the subway and further up on the right we come to the first group of single storey station buildings. From right to left are a Guards' Room, a store for fish, a Porters' Room and the Gents' toilet with ventilated roof. Photograph taken by Mel SmithContinuing on along Station Road, this line of single storey buildings link into the main station entrance seen on the left. Photograph taken by Mel SmithWe now approach the main central block of the station buildings. The ground floor was once entirely given over to a Refreshment Room and a Dining Room along with their kitchen. The first floor, known as 'Station House', was living accommodation for some of the staff of those catering facilities. By the 1980s catering provision for passengers was much reduced and some spaces had become offices and stores. Photograph taken by Mel SmithA pause in our walk, as we look back again along Station Road. Photograph taken by Mel SmithThe main entrance to the platforms showing the canopy. Photograph taken by Mel SmithTwo red telephone boxes stand guard outside the main entrance. Note the "Shopper" bike adjacent. Photograph taken by Mel SmithPassing the main entrance we come to the next set of buildings just before entering the Goods Yard which is straight ahead. From right to left the Station Master's Office, the Telegraph Office, a cycle store and the Parcels Office. Photograph taken by Mel SmithThe entrance gates to the Goods Yard and Post Office buildings eventually come into view. From right to left the Station Master's Office, the Telegraph Office, a cycle store and the Parcels Office. Photograph taken by Mel SmithWe have now reached the Goods Shed and Post Office buildings situated at the top (southern) end of Station Road. Photograph taken by Mel SmithMobile cranes used for lifting containers positioned outside the Post Office buildings, the former Goods Shed, on Station Road. The main entrance to the station can be seen in the far distance. Photograph taken by Mel SmithThe end of our short walk along Station Road. We turn around to face the Goods Shed and Office. The now demolished Yard Box was situated to the left of this vantage point. The mobile cranes in the previous view can be seen on the right. Photograph taken by Mel Smith
If you have any personal memories, images or additional information relating to the station buildings, potentially for use in this section, we would love to hear from you. Please note: Unless stated otherwise all images are Copyright: Mel Smith.
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