Change of Station
Tony Aldous observes the Newham based Passmore Edwards Museum which tells part of the story of the Great eastern railways.
The Old North Woolwich Railway station, built in the 1850s, is a surprisingly grand affair to find on the 'wrong' (southern) side of the river in London's docklands. Built in the Italianate style then finding favour with railway company directors, it is constructed from yellow brick and embellished with classical columns, stone dressings and twin central doors opening into a spacious booking hall.
But the directors of the Eastern Counties Railway did not regard North Woolwich as the end of just another branch line. They reasoned that, with the pier they were building just opposite the station, they could pick up passengers from sailing ships putting into the Port of London, whom steam on iron could convey to town quicker than sail on water.
But the directors of the Eastern Counties Railway did not regard North Woolwich as the end of just another branch line. They reasoned that, with the pier they were building just opposite the station, they could pick up passengers from sailing ships putting into the Port of London, whom steam on iron could convey to town quicker than sail on water.
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