The new King's Cross.

[1H was 2E]

I know exactly what you mean Mickey. When I travel from KX - on East Coast or, better, Great Central* (if the conductor kindly lets me use my BR priv.) - I walk to the front of the train to record the loco. number (if it's a 91, it's at the country end of course), or the front power car of an HST. Even though the barriers never seem to be manned so there is easy access to the platforms, when I walk beyond the rear door of the front coach I feel I'm entering an area where I should NOT be. The platform towards the ramps end is always totally deserted (and also spotlessly clean...) and I feel very out-of-place and noticeable. I have the feeling that a whole lot of eyes are following my movements on the screens relaying the CCTV camera images. The other platforms, with trains ready for departure in maybe 20 - 40 minutes, are also completely deserted apart from a few staff.

*The short formation of GC HSTs gives them a good power/weight ratio. On a northbound trip to York (Great Gathering) the one I was on covered 57 miles (from MPs) in 30 minutes, which included negotiating Peterborough and climbing Stoke bank.

[manna]

G'day Gents

I don't Google maps of the modern railway, tooo depressing.



To us steam fans, steam travel is great but would the general public want to go back to steam haulage, 2 hours to Grantham !!!

manna

[giner]

Indeed, Manna. But 90% of present day travellers are so busy gabbing on mobile phones I doubt they'd notice two hours to Grantham.

[redleaf]

The other day a friendly Virgin Trains chap allowed me onto the platform to photograph the confluence of old Platform 10 and 11, an area I didn't have a photo of. Very kind. Mission accomplished

[manna]

G'day Gents

True.

manna

[Mickey]

G'day Gents

Thankfully, living 12,000miles away I don't have to see what's happened, to what was once a busy vibrant station/workplace.

Your not missing anything manna believe me.

Mickey

[Mickey]

Wasn't the old pasty & sandwich 'shop' at Kings Cross called the "Casey Jones". This would be 1990s.

I pre-date you by 2 decades Richard (the 1970s) when both the Ridings Bar & British Rail Buffet were both on platform no.10 or later from May 1972 platform no.8 as it became.

Mickey

[Mickey]

45 years ago it was oh so different!!.

Indeed! There was so much choice in the way of the "girls of the night" in those days.

To true John the 1970s were a right old time to be around 'the cross' but the least said the better ha ha ha...

Mickey

[Mickey]

I know exactly what you mean Mickey.

Judging by your previous posts on railway topics from your own personal experience 1H was 2E from the 1960s & 1970s I bet you notice the differents alright.

Mickey