Time Capsules
Spalding Town 1959
The caption above that came with this picture was very specific as far as the date is concerned (not 1950s but 1959), so lets see if it stands the test :)
As well as the name 'Spalding Town Railway Station' rather then 'Spalding Railway Station' which I presume would be the right caption.
Spalding is in Lincolnshire, England, and the railway station opened in 1848 thanks to the GNR.
The passenger train waiting at one of the two platforms is headed by the steam locomotive 64172. If I am not mistaken this is a J6, an 0-6-0, built at Doncaster Works in 1911 and disposed of in 1960 (so shortly after this photo was taken).
Photo © The Step Back Through Time Collection
Picture added on 07 March 2010
This picture is in the following groups
Step back through Time, trains and stations
Step back through Time, trains and stations
England
Spalding was the junction of three lines by the end of the 19th century - the Great Northern from Peterborough to Boston; the Midland and Great Northern Joint from Melton Mowbray to King's Lynn and Melton Constable and the Great Northern and Great Eastern Joint line from March to Sleaford and Lincoln. Was there a further platform beyond the two men standing? The position of the signal gantry might suggest one and beyond it is a water crane for locomotives. The running in board by the J6 is in British Railways house style. I like the contrast in lamp styles - the street lamp style on the further platform compared with the more delicate version this side of the canopy. Were lights electric by 1959 or was gas still used? Perhaps that was a lamp hut on the far right.