SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

I hear there used to be two mainline stations in Leeds and was just wondering their location?Was on a Gner last Sat and saw a long viaduct that goes to my left before you enter the main station. Is the old line to one of the old stations?

Yes there were 3 mainline stations, Central where you saw the old viaduct was roughly where the old royal mail building is. Wellington was right next to city station which is in use now. The 1930's concourse you use to go into city was the ticket area for Wellington. The reason you have all the different stations was competition from different railway companys. Infact the dark arches is 2 seperate structures. The older is stone & the newer area is the brick section under grannery wharf. The builders of Wellington actually built there viaducts higher out of spite to course the builders of city a few enginerring problems in later years. Midland, L.N.E.R. G.N.R e.t.c. there was in total 6 stations within a mile radius of city square. The 3 main stations above plus Holbeck high & low level & Marsh lane near Quarry house. The platforms are still there. Also the Midland original terminus was where crown point retail park is until it moved to Wellington & it also built the Queens hotel. I've some Central station & Holbeck stuff here http://www.flickr.com/photos/phill_dvsn ... il/?page=7

I think I'm right in saying, Phill,that City Station was originally called New Station - and so 'New Station Street' was so named because it was the Street leading to the New Station rather than being a 'new street' if you know what I mean!! Of course City Station is now officially just 'Leeds Station' , although I , like most Loiners still call it City station and probably always will

Phill_d wrote: Yes there were 3 mainline stations, Central where you saw the old viaduct was roughly where the old royal mail building is. Wellington was right next to city station which is in use now. The 1930's concourse you use to go into city was the ticket area for Wellington. The reason you have all the different stations was competition from different railway companys. Infact the dark arches is 2 seperate structures. The older is stone & the newer area is the brick section under grannery wharf. The builders of Wellington actually built there viaducts higher out of spite to course the builders of city a few enginerring problems in later years. Midland, L.N.E.R. G.N.R e.t.c. there was in total 6 stations within a mile radius of city square. The 3 main stations above plus Holbeck high & low level & Marsh lane near Quarry house. The platforms are still there. Also the Midland original terminus was were crown point retail park is untill it moved to Wellington & it also built the Queens hotel. I've some Central station & Holbeck stuff here http://www.flickr.com/photos/phill_dvsn ... il/?page=7 I was looking for some information &/or photos on the long lost stations at Marsh lane and Osmandthorpe Halt and came across a great photo collection on Flickr which had photos of both stations and many more besides. seehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/thanoz/3758506463/sizes/o/The example posted above is Armley Low Moor in winter 1961.This collection of photos has many covering railway history of Leeds including long lost stations in Leeds & Bradford and further afield. There are some great shots of all the Leeds engine sheds I used to visit as a lad. The collection is not just of interest to rail buffs there are lots of Leeds tram & bus and waterways photos , some pubs factories and old mills. The collection is not confined to Leeds with shots from as far away as Liverpool , Bradford, Sheffield , Whitby, Aberdeen! but most are of Leeds and the surrounding area. Secret Leedsers I commend it to you ( as the chancellor says on budget day).        

Thanks a million Black Prince for alerting us to this wonderful selection of unusual and nostalgic pictures, especially to the likes of me who are "a certain age." There are some real gems among them, particularly the old "long gone" stations and local tramway street scenes. Just for once, as you rightly say, the Chancellor has commended something worthwhile to us

Phill_d wrote: Yes there were 3 mainline stations, Central where you saw the old viaduct was roughly where the old royal mail building is. Wellington was right next to city station which is in use now. The 1930's concourse you use to go into city was the ticket area for Wellington. The reason you have all the different stations was competition from different railway companys. Infact the dark arches is 2 seperate structures. The older is stone & the newer area is the brick section under grannery wharf. The builders of Wellington actually built there viaducts higher out of spite to course the builders of city a few enginerring problems in later years. Midland, L.N.E.R. G.N.R e.t.c. there was in total 6 stations within a mile radius of city square. The 3 main stations above plus Holbeck high & low level & Marsh lane near Quarry house. The platforms are still there. Also the Midland original terminus was were crown point retail park is untill it moved to Wellington & it also built the Queens hotel. I've some Central station & Holbeck stuff here http://www.flickr.com/photos/phill_dvsn ... il/?page=7 I can't look at those pix Phill, I get a private page message.

Oh dear. I had a big clear out of 'under par' pics ages ago Chris. I think they might have suffered the Beeching axe for the second time. The lost rails of West Yorks has a good Leeds section of closed and abandoned local stuff.The page is herehttp://www.lostrailwayswestyorkshire.co.uk/leeds%20west.htmI'm sure there's something of interest there     

[quotenick="BLAKEY"]Thanks a million Black Prince for alerting us to this wonderful selection of unusual and nostalgic pictures, especially to the likes of me who are "a certain age." There are some real gems among them, particularly the old "long gone" stations and local tramway street scenes. Just for once, as you rightly say, the Chancellor has commended something worthwhile to us [/quote)Glad you liked the link Blakey. If i'm not mistaken the chimney in the background of the Armley Moor photo is Blakey's Iron Foundry - world renowned makers of Blakey's shoe protectors , cricket boot studs etc . Any connection with your "nom de plume"?

blackprince wrote: Phill_d wrote: Yes there were 3 mainline stations, Central where you saw the old viaduct was roughly where the old royal mail building is. Wellington was right next to city station which is in use now. The 1930's concourse you use to go into city was the ticket area for Wellington. The reason you have all the different stations was competition from different railway companys. Infact the dark arches is 2 seperate structures. The older is stone & the newer area is the brick section under grannery wharf. The builders of Wellington actually built there viaducts higher out of spite to course the builders of city a few enginerring problems in later years. Midland, L.N.E.R. G.N.R e.t.c. there was in total 6 stations within a mile radius of city square. The 3 main stations above plus Holbeck high & low level & Marsh lane near Quarry house. The platforms are still there. Also the Midland original terminus was were crown point retail park is untill it moved to Wellington & it also built the Queens hotel. I've some Central station & Holbeck stuff here http://www.flickr.com/photos/phill_dvsn ... il/?page=7 I was looking for some information &/or photos on the long lost stations at Marsh lane and Osmandthorpe Halt and came across a great photo collection on Flickr which had photos of both stations and many more besides. seehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/thanoz/3758506463/sizes/o/The example posted above is Armley Low Moor in winter 1961.This collection of photos has many covering railway history of Leeds including long lost stations in Leeds & Bradford and further afield. There are some great shots of all the Leeds engine sheds I used to visit as a lad. The collection is not just of interest to rail buffs there are lots of Leeds tram & bus and waterways photos , some pubs factories and old mills. The collection is not confined to Leeds with shots from as far away as Liverpool , Bradford, Sheffield , Whitby, Aberdeen! but most are of Leeds and the surrounding area. Secret Leedsers I commend it to you ( as the chancellor says on budget day).         Armley Moor Station gets a mention in the song Slow Train by Flanders and Swann http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6OHD2uCpfUSLOW TRAINBy Michael Flanders and Donald SwannMiller’s Dale for Tideswell, Kirkby Muxloe,Mow Cop and Scholar GreenNo more will I go to Blandford Forum and MoretehoeOn the slow train from Midsomer Norton and Mumby RoadNo churns, no porter, no cat on a seatAt Chorlton-cum-Hardy or Chester-le-StreetWe won’t be meeting againOn the slow train.I’ll travel no more from Littleton Badsey to OpenshawAt Long Stanton I’ll stand well clear of the doors no moreNo whitewashed pebbles, no Up and no DownFrom Formby Four Crosses to Dunstable Town.I won’t be going againOn the slow train.On the Main Line and the Goods SidingThe grass grows highAt Dog Dyke, Tumby WoodsideAnd Trouble House Halt.The Sleepers sleep at Audlem and Ambergate.No passenger waits on Chittening platform or Cheslyn Hay.No one departs, no one arrivesFrom Selby to Goole, from St Erth to St Ives.They’ve all passed out of our livesOn the slow trainOn the slow train.Cockermouth for ButtermereOn the slow trainArmley Moor Arram … Pye Hill and SomercotesOn the slow trainWindmill End.

[quotenick="blackprinceGlad you liked the link Blakey. If i'm not mistaken the chimney in the background of the Armley Moor photo is Blakey's Iron Foundry - world renowned makers of Blakey's shoe protectors , cricket boot studs etc . Any connection with your "nom de plume"? Indeed it is Blakey's - its mentioned in the second picture of Armley Moor, and I'm amazed to read that there was a siding into the factory - no family connection though I'm afraid. My "nom de plume" was planted on me by one of my fellow bus drivers at Selby/Pontefract who knew that I'd been an inspector (very reluctantly and unhappily) at Leeds. Still I don't mind the nickname at all on the "net."