WRRC Forum

This GW location is shown in the 1938 and 1956 [i]Hand-book of Stations[/i] as having 'Station accommodation' not only for passengers but also for G* - i.e. dealing with coal class, mineral and station to station traffic in truck loads - in other words, a mileage yard or siding. [i]Clinker's Register,[/i] however, does not recognise such activity. These questions arise :

(i) was the Riverside's G* activity conducted on the three sidings alongside the down Clarence Road line (i.e. the line from Clarence Road) (but if it was not there, where was it);

(ii) when did such G* activity cease.

So far as passenger facilities were concerned:

(iii) what platform numbers did the Riverside island platform acquire when absorbed into General in 1940 (or how were the two faces distinguished from the main line platforms);

(iv) when did the Riverside island platform cease to be used for passengers (did such use - for terminating/starting trains - out-live Clarence Road's closure on 16 March 1964?);

(v) when was the Riverside island platform given over as a parcels depot (if other than 16 March 1964).

I believe the 'Leek' railtour terminated at Riverside on 27 June 1964. Does anyone have a picture?

The platforms were numbered 8 & 9. From memory after Clarence Road closed the platforms were used for a few years by specials to West Wales on rugby interational days and stock for these trains was stabled on the branch.I can't remember whether special trains arriving from West Wales used these platforms

I can confirm that the Leek railtour terminated there but have failed in my attempts to upload my photograph.

Around 1972 my primary school had an organised trip around the parcels depot (school trips back then were much more fun!) and that included platforms 8 and 9. By then they were very much part of the parcels operation at that time. We even got a cab ride up and down platform 9 on the class 08 pilot. The sidings west of the platforms were also utilised exclusively for parcels vans.

Hywel