"Hand Book of Railway Stations, 1900"

[md644]

I have been given a copy of the above book (412 pages plus another 100-odd pages of appendices), I'm just after a bit of information on what it would have been used for (and by whom). It doesn't seem the sort of book the average traveller would have needed.

My guess is that it would have been distributed to railway employees (I believe my great grandfather worked for the NER in the Hull area around 1900 though there are no markings to indicate ownership) so that they could check if a station could receive goods sent to it maybe? Or sent to local businesses for the same purpose?

And I suppose I have to ask - is it rare/worth anything? (It's not in mint condition by any stretch of the imagination, but it's complete albeit a little battered in places).

Any information gratefully received on what is I suppose a "family heirloom".....

[AndyRush]

If it is the Railway Clearing House Station Handbook, then it was principally used within the railway industry although it was sold to the public. Presumably freight agents, shippers and other people involved in the transport of goods made use of the information, as well as travel agents and the like when it came to the passenger facility details.

I haven't seen a 1900 copy come up lately, but an 1898 version in good condition fetched over £200 at Sheffield Railway Auctions a couple of years or so back.

Hope this helps

Andy

[RPS1951]

Dear md644,

I have read your post about the handbook of LNER stations with great interest., as I am currently researching the station known as St James Deeping in Lincolnshire. Would the book have any information regarding this station, or is any one able to help me please.

Regards

[52A]

From the 1956 handbook station accomodates, G - Goods traffic, P - Passenger, parcels and miscellaneous traffic, L - live stock, H - horse boxes and prize cattle vans. Crane 1 ton 10 cwts.

[StevieG]

As well as that info. being in the BTC's 1956 book, the Railway Clearing House's "...1912 (Reprinted 1920)..." Hand Book quotes identical details.