NEW RAILWAY PASSENGER STATION.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 698, 14 September 1876, Page 2

NEW RAILWAY PASSENGER STATION.

The plans for the new passenger station to be erected on the South town belt, near the Manchester street intersection, and adjoining the traffic manager's present office, being now complete, a description of the building may not be uninteresting. The style of the building will be Modern Gothic, with centre gable, the two ends showing hipped roofs. The front is formed of five bays, and shows two oriel windows in the end portions, and twenty-two dormer windows throughout the whole elevation. The gables are topped with ornamental finials and the roofs crested, with Gothic chimneys leading through The length of the station proper is 124 ft, and the width over all—not including the steps—40ft. The building will be approached by four large flights of steps, the centre flight, leading into two openings for passengers by Northern or Southern lines, or for first and second class passengers, as may be required The entrance leads into a large hall 36ft Sin x 24ft, and 34ft high, the roof of which will be of the same character as the exterior building, and formed of wrought timber. In tbe centre of this hall will be the booking office, partitioned off by an internal screen. From the booking office ar doors on tbe I

east and western Bide, leading into the general waiting rooms, through which the ladies' waiting rooms are approached; these latter having ante-rooms adjoining. On the western side, entered from the platform, is the telegraph office; the room similarly situated on the eastern side to be used by the porters and guards. At the end of the west wing is a large room 30ft 9in x 20ft, which will be used as a luggage room, and over which will be the traffic manager's office. At the eastern end a room of similar dimensions to the former is reserved as a refreshment room, to be fitted up with counters and all necessary requirements for comfort, one portion being screened off for ladies Under this room a cellar has also been provided for, and over the refreshment room are apartments in which the le see may reside. On the western end a lamp room will be erected, and also apartments for public accommodation. There are numerous fireplaces throughout the building, and the booking office will be heated by means of a small steam apparatus, From each room a door leads on to the platform, which will be 20ft in width and about 400 ft in length over all. These doors will prevent a crush, and be found a very great convenience to passengers waiting the arrival of trains. The building will be constructed of brick and stone, the latter to be obtained from Hoon Hay, Cass's Peak, and White Kock quarries. The back portion will be of brick, wish stone facings. The roofs will be drained by means of iron pipes, guttering, &c, for which suitable outlets are provided.

Between the main Btation and the traffic manager's present office, another two-storey building will be erected, as offices for the traffic manager and staff, and containing on first floor one large room 66ft x 22ft, substantially fitted up with desks, &c, and leading by a doorway into the manager's office. Under these offices there will be a large arched exit, to which the passenger platform will extend, and which will obviate the necessity of arrivals leaving the station by the main entrance. This building is less pretending than the station, and the desire has been to utilise the space to the best possible advantage. All the plans, specifications, &c, have been prepared in the Railway Engineer's department. Tenders for the buildings have been called, and are to be sent in by the 23rd inst, and it is expected the work will be commenced in the first week of October.