The LNER Encyclopedia

Hi all just a quick note on another thread we have been discussing NER Serpent type seats.
Has any one noticed any lately,who cast them originally and were they only used by the NER. Were they just cast as ends with the wooden slats being used to give different lengths.
It would be nice if an Architectural foundry could cast replicas im sure there would be plenty of takers for them.
By the way my fee for suggesting them be reproduced is a free set.

Yoh Dude,

Thought I'd have a look round before I went to bed
AND
struck PAYDIRT FIRST TIME.
Check out this web pag and picture:

http://www.broxap.com/viewproduct.asp?c ... 36&pID=478

Malcolm

I am sure this subject was brought up last year.
I know Harrogate council also use them.

There was a pair for sale at Quorn swapmeet thingy last week.. I think the chap was asking £350.00

I am sure there are some on the promenade at Spittal.

There are plenty round the ramparts walk at Berwick.

Colombo

I thought i could remember them at Spital, Who was the original manufacturer, did the NER commission them or were they bought in as a job lot.

I do not remember any of the serpent seats around the Hull area, were they restricted to the Northern division?

I have been checking through my collection of NER photographs and I can find no pattern. Some stations have the serpent style benches, whilst others nearby don't. For example, on the North Tyneside Loop the only ones I can find are at:
West Jesmond
South Gosforth
Benton
Backworth
Percy Main
But Tynemouth, North Shields, and others do not appear to have that style (at least as far as I can see).

On the ECML the ones I can find are at:
Morpeth
Birtley
Chester-Le-Street (but not at Low Fell).
I know there were a couple on platform 8 at Newcastle Central outside the old timekeepers office because I remember them.

Other locations where the benches are visible in my photo collection are:
Brampton Junction
Swalwell
Rowlands Gill
Blackhill (Consett)
Gateshead West
Shotley Bridge
Kirbymoorside
Mindrum station (Alnwick-Coldstream line)
Ponteland
and, oh yes,
Withernsea Station

I have an enquiry in with certain people to see if I can find the origin of the design, but I think it would be interesting to know why they were not a standard pattern. I wonder if it has anything to do with the date on which the stations were built.

Malcolm

The Hull & Holderness line to Withernsea opened in 1854 but the line through Kirbymoorside was opened 20 years later, so maybe opening dates are not relevant.

I have spotted a serpent bench in a photo of Helmsley station, positioned under the canopy, but in another photo of the same station, an outside bench was of the style I am more familiar with.

I can add another on the ECML - Chathill.

It seems that most of the serpent benches were in Northumberland & Co Durham, I guess that over time they may have been moved around a bit according to requirements.

I will keep an eye open for benches now, when I look through my books.

They had these seats at Alnmouth and Alnwick as well. Berwick Council bought dozens of them when the ECML intermediate stations closed in the 1950's and they can be found in most towns and villages in the district such as Seahouses, Norham and Wooler, as well as Berwick. Many have had the serpent's tail cut off just behind the top board so that they can be put close against walls.

Cruel swine!

Sacrilege!!!!

Malcolm

Link to the Berwick Advertiser website showing that at least they are trying to keep up with the repairs and it also gives the original manufacturer as Ballantines Boness Iron Works.
http://www.berwick-advertiser.co.uk/new ... 6242307.jp
See also here the manufacturers are still in business and the benches are still in the catalogue
http://www.creativeironworks.co.uk/pdfs ... enches.pdf

52D wrote:Link to the Berwick Advertiser website showing that at least they are trying to keep up with the repairs and it also gives the original manufacturer as Ballantines Boness Iron Works.
http://www.berwick-advertiser.co.uk/new ... 6242307.jp
See also here the manufacturers are still in business and the benches are still in the catalogue
http://www.creativeironworks.co.uk/pdfs ... enches.pdf

52D
Excellent work. I have already downloaded the catalogue as myself, and a few others I know are very interested.
I wonder if there is anyone here in Kuwait who can reproduce them?

Thanks for the info.

Malcolm