There has been discussion lately in another thread about whether Thameslink passengers using Farringdon station
experience the ambience of an LU station or a national rail station. I took some pictures to illustrate the differences:
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/albums/72177720301675244/>

Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
> There has been discussion lately in another thread about whether
> Thameslink passengers using Farringdon station
> experience the ambience of an LU station or a national rail station. I
> took some pictures to illustrate the differences:
> <https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/albums/72177720301675244/>
>

The photos are the newer end of the Thameslink platforms.

If you go and take photos of the other (older) end of the Thameslink
platforms, you could certainly be forgiven for thinking you’re in a sub
surface LU station.

Lew

Lew 1 <email@nowhere.com> wrote:
> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>> There has been discussion lately in another thread about whether
>> Thameslink passengers using Farringdon station
>> experience the ambience of an LU station or a national rail station. I
>> took some pictures to illustrate the differences:
>> <https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/albums/72177720301675244/>
>>
>
> The photos are the newer end of the Thameslink platforms.
>
> If you go and take photos of the other (older) end of the Thameslink
> platforms, you could certainly be forgiven for thinking you’re in a sub
> surface LU station.
>

Yes, the northern end of the platforms hasn't changed much. But, of course,
those platforms were never part of the Underground, and looked much the
same in BR days, and long before. They were built by the proudly
independent Metropolitan Railway, which always viewed itself as a mainline
railway.

Those platforms were always used by mainline trains, including freights,
right from January 1868 (in fact, the first service train was a GNR
freight). The first Thameslink route train ran in 1866 on to the GNR and
the Midland Railway in 1868 (in fact, before St Pancras opened).

So they have a pretty authentic historic mainline ambience, apart from the
inappropriate roundels. They're unlike any Tube station, and most
subsurface LU stations, too (most of which have been roofed over).

I suppose the difference might have been more obvious when those platforms
had diesel loco-hauled trains.

In message <pvcpgh5l76idk1v6a0khts5qrpvtvimalt@4ax.com>, at 13:43:44 on
Mon, 29 Aug 2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>There has been discussion lately in another thread about whether
>Thameslink passengers using Farringdon station
>experience the ambience of an LU station or a national rail station. I
>took some pictures to illustrate the differences:
><https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/albums/72177720301675244/>

But none to illustrate the similarities. Funny that.

Have the "missing" validators been installed yet?
--
Roland Perry

Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
> In message <pvcpgh5l76idk1v6a0khts5qrpvtvimalt@4ax.com>, at 13:43:44 on
> Mon, 29 Aug 2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>> There has been discussion lately in another thread about whether
>> Thameslink passengers using Farringdon station
>> experience the ambience of an LU station or a national rail station. I
>> took some pictures to illustrate the differences:
>> <https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/albums/72177720301675244/>
>
> But none to illustrate the similarities. Funny that.

As I said, the point was to illustrate the differences.

In fact, there are few similarities. Most of the remaining LU platforms
from the 1860s have changed a lot and look quite different now. And the new
Farringdon station entrance and ticket hall have no similarities with LU
stations.

>
> Have the "missing" validators been installed yet?

Nope, still just the posters.

In message <teils6$1561t$2@dont-email.me>, at 15:27:02 on Mon, 29 Aug
2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>> In message <pvcpgh5l76idk1v6a0khts5qrpvtvimalt@4ax.com>, at 13:43:44 on
>> Mon, 29 Aug 2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>> There has been discussion lately in another thread about whether
>>> Thameslink passengers using Farringdon station
>>> experience the ambience of an LU station or a national rail station. I
>>> took some pictures to illustrate the differences:
>>> <https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/albums/72177720301675244/>
>>
>> But none to illustrate the similarities. Funny that.
>
>As I said, the point was to illustrate the differences.
>
>In fact, there are few similarities. Most of the remaining LU platforms
>from the 1860s have changed a lot and look quite different now.

Some pictures, perhaps?

>And the new Farringdon station entrance and ticket hall have no
>similarities with LU stations.

The old station entrance is still there.

>> Have the "missing" validators been installed yet?
>
>Nope, still just the posters.

Obviously a super urgent project then.
--
Roland Perry

Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
> In message <teils6$1561t$2@dont-email.me>, at 15:27:02 on Mon, 29 Aug
> 2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>>> In message <pvcpgh5l76idk1v6a0khts5qrpvtvimalt@4ax.com>, at 13:43:44 on
>>> Mon, 29 Aug 2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>> There has been discussion lately in another thread about whether
>>>> Thameslink passengers using Farringdon station
>>>> experience the ambience of an LU station or a national rail station. I
>>>> took some pictures to illustrate the differences:
>>>> <https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/albums/72177720301675244/>
>>>
>>> But none to illustrate the similarities. Funny that.
>>
>> As I said, the point was to illustrate the differences.
>>
>> In fact, there are few similarities. Most of the remaining LU platforms
>> from the 1860s have changed a lot and look quite different now.
>
> Some pictures, perhaps?

Of what?

>
>> And the new Farringdon station entrance and ticket hall have no
>> similarities with LU stations.
>
> The old station entrance is still there.

Yes, but only for LU. Thameslink passengers haven't used that entrance for
over a decade.

On Mon, 29 Aug 2022 19:46:21 -0000 (UTC), Recliner
<recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:

>Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>> In message <teils6$1561t$2@dont-email.me>, at 15:27:02 on Mon, 29 Aug
>> 2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>>>> In message <pvcpgh5l76idk1v6a0khts5qrpvtvimalt@4ax.com>, at 13:43:44 on
>>>> Mon, 29 Aug 2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>>> There has been discussion lately in another thread about whether
>>>>> Thameslink passengers using Farringdon station
>>>>> experience the ambience of an LU station or a national rail station. I
>>>>> took some pictures to illustrate the differences:
>>>>> <https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/albums/72177720301675244/>
>>>>
>>>> But none to illustrate the similarities. Funny that.
>>>
>>> As I said, the point was to illustrate the differences.
>>>
>>> In fact, there are few similarities. Most of the remaining LU platforms
>>> from the 1860s have changed a lot and look quite different now.
>>
>> Some pictures, perhaps?
>
>Of what?
>
>>
>>> And the new Farringdon station entrance and ticket hall have no
>>> similarities with LU stations.
>>
>> The old station entrance is still there.
>
>Yes, but only for LU. Thameslink passengers haven't used that entrance for
>over a decade.
>
Yes we do.

In message <tej52d$17t9n$2@dont-email.me>, at 19:46:21 on Mon, 29 Aug
2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>> In message <teils6$1561t$2@dont-email.me>, at 15:27:02 on Mon, 29 Aug
>> 2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>>>> In message <pvcpgh5l76idk1v6a0khts5qrpvtvimalt@4ax.com>, at 13:43:44 on
>>>> Mon, 29 Aug 2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>>> There has been discussion lately in another thread about whether
>>>>> Thameslink passengers using Farringdon station
>>>>> experience the ambience of an LU station or a national rail station. I
>>>>> took some pictures to illustrate the differences:
>>>>> <https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/albums/72177720301675244/>
>>>>
>>>> But none to illustrate the similarities. Funny that.
>>>
>>> As I said, the point was to illustrate the differences.
>>>
>>> In fact, there are few similarities. Most of the remaining LU platforms
>>> from the 1860s have changed a lot and look quite different now.
>>
>> Some pictures, perhaps?
>
>Of what?

The "old shed" and the platforms beneath.

>>> And the new Farringdon station entrance and ticket hall have no
>>> similarities with LU stations.
>>
>> The old station entrance is still there.
>
>Yes, but only for LU. Thameslink passengers haven't used that entrance for
>over a decade.

Why not, are there no longer stairs down to all the platforms from
there?
--
Roland Perry

Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
> In message <tej52d$17t9n$2@dont-email.me>, at 19:46:21 on Mon, 29 Aug
> 2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>> In message <teils6$1561t$2@dont-email.me>, at 15:27:02 on Mon, 29 Aug
>>> 2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>>>>> In message <pvcpgh5l76idk1v6a0khts5qrpvtvimalt@4ax.com>, at 13:43:44 on
>>>>> Mon, 29 Aug 2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>>>> There has been discussion lately in another thread about whether
>>>>>> Thameslink passengers using Farringdon station
>>>>>> experience the ambience of an LU station or a national rail station. I
>>>>>> took some pictures to illustrate the differences:
>>>>>> <https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/albums/72177720301675244/>
>>>>>
>>>>> But none to illustrate the similarities. Funny that.
>>>>
>>>> As I said, the point was to illustrate the differences.
>>>>
>>>> In fact, there are few similarities. Most of the remaining LU platforms
>>>> from the 1860s have changed a lot and look quite different now.
>>>
>>> Some pictures, perhaps?
>>
>> Of what?
>
> The "old shed" and the platforms beneath.
>
>>>> And the new Farringdon station entrance and ticket hall have no
>>>> similarities with LU stations.
>>>
>>> The old station entrance is still there.
>>
>> Yes, but only for LU. Thameslink passengers haven't used that entrance for
>> over a decade.
>
> Why not, are there no longer stairs down to all the platforms from
> there?

There are only stairs to the two LU platforms. Obviously, it's then
possible to get to the TL platforms, but that's not signposted from the LU
ticket hall, and it's a longer, less convenient route than from the
Thameslink ticket hall.

Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
> In message <tej52d$17t9n$2@dont-email.me>, at 19:46:21 on Mon, 29 Aug
> 2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>> In message <teils6$1561t$2@dont-email.me>, at 15:27:02 on Mon, 29 Aug
>>> 2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>>>>> In message <pvcpgh5l76idk1v6a0khts5qrpvtvimalt@4ax.com>, at 13:43:44 on
>>>>> Mon, 29 Aug 2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>>>> There has been discussion lately in another thread about whether
>>>>>> Thameslink passengers using Farringdon station
>>>>>> experience the ambience of an LU station or a national rail station. I
>>>>>> took some pictures to illustrate the differences:
>>>>>> <https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/albums/72177720301675244/>
>>>>>
>>>>> But none to illustrate the similarities. Funny that.
>>>>
>>>> As I said, the point was to illustrate the differences.
>>>>
>>>> In fact, there are few similarities. Most of the remaining LU platforms
>>>> from the 1860s have changed a lot and look quite different now.
>>>
>>> Some pictures, perhaps?
>>
>> Of what?
>
> The "old shed" and the platforms beneath.

It's not the "old shed" any more. It's a modern single span roof that was
put in as part of the Thameslink project:

<https://uhoun19qey9384ovv24t33c1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Bourne-Group-Farringdon-Train-Shed-Roof.pdf>

As such, it certainly doesn't look like any Tube station. The platforms are
obviously still very similar, apart from the OHLE and Thameslink signage.

So, someone actually using the Thameslink station doesn't get any
impression of using an LU station. Someone simply passing through on a TL
train mainly sees Thameslink furniture and signs on the platforms. It's
unlikely to remind them of any Tube stations they've used or passed
through.

And, of course, even the LU side isn't much like other LU stations, even
the few very early ones from the 1860s. Most of those have changed a lot in
the last 150 years, or even been relocated and rebuilt (eg, the next
station to the west).

Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>> In message <tej52d$17t9n$2@dont-email.me>, at 19:46:21 on Mon, 29 Aug
>> 2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>> In message <teils6$1561t$2@dont-email.me>, at 15:27:02 on Mon, 29 Aug
>>>> 2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>>>>>> In message <pvcpgh5l76idk1v6a0khts5qrpvtvimalt@4ax.com>, at 13:43:44 on
>>>>>> Mon, 29 Aug 2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>>>>> There has been discussion lately in another thread about whether
>>>>>>> Thameslink passengers using Farringdon station
>>>>>>> experience the ambience of an LU station or a national rail station. I
>>>>>>> took some pictures to illustrate the differences:
>>>>>>> <https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/albums/72177720301675244/>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> But none to illustrate the similarities. Funny that.
>>>>>
>>>>> As I said, the point was to illustrate the differences.
>>>>>
>>>>> In fact, there are few similarities. Most of the remaining LU platforms
>>>>> from the 1860s have changed a lot and look quite different now.
>>>>
>>>> Some pictures, perhaps?
>>>
>>> Of what?
>>
>> The "old shed" and the platforms beneath.
>
> It's not the "old shed" any more. It's a modern single span roof that was
> put in as part of the Thameslink project:
>
> <https://uhoun19qey9384ovv24t33c1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Bourne-Group-Farringdon-Train-Shed-Roof.pdf>
>
> As such, it certainly doesn't look like any Tube station. The platforms are
> obviously still very similar, apart from the OHLE and Thameslink signage.
>
> So, someone actually using the Thameslink station doesn't get any
> impression of using an LU station. Someone simply passing through on a TL
> train mainly sees Thameslink furniture and signs on the platforms.

They really don’t… all the furniture and signage is markedly identical to
LU - including station name in roundels - them managing the station and all
that. (The passenger POS screens being the exception, but you don’t see
that from on-train) - and it’s very obviously different To any of the other
thameslink stations before and after.

It very much gives the impression that this station is in TfL world where
the others are not even if you’re just passing through.

Lew

In message <tekbpu$1dnu1$2@dont-email.me>, at 06:47:26 on Tue, 30 Aug
2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>> In message <tej52d$17t9n$2@dont-email.me>, at 19:46:21 on Mon, 29 Aug
>> 2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>> In message <teils6$1561t$2@dont-email.me>, at 15:27:02 on Mon, 29 Aug
>>>> 2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>>>>>> In message <pvcpgh5l76idk1v6a0khts5qrpvtvimalt@4ax.com>, at 13:43:44 on
>>>>>> Mon, 29 Aug 2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>>>>> There has been discussion lately in another thread about whether
>>>>>>> Thameslink passengers using Farringdon station
>>>>>>> experience the ambience of an LU station or a national rail station. I
>>>>>>> took some pictures to illustrate the differences:
>>>>>>> <https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/albums/72177720301675244/>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> But none to illustrate the similarities. Funny that.
>>>>>
>>>>> As I said, the point was to illustrate the differences.
>>>>>
>>>>> In fact, there are few similarities. Most of the remaining LU platforms
>>>>> from the 1860s have changed a lot and look quite different now.
>>>>
>>>> Some pictures, perhaps?
>>>
>>> Of what?
>>
>> The "old shed" and the platforms beneath.
>>
>>>>> And the new Farringdon station entrance and ticket hall have no
>>>>> similarities with LU stations.
>>>>
>>>> The old station entrance is still there.
>>>
>>> Yes, but only for LU. Thameslink passengers haven't used that entrance for
>>> over a decade.
>>
>> Why not, are there no longer stairs down to all the platforms from
>> there?
>
>There are only stairs to the two LU platforms.

Interesting, I wonder what happened to the stairs to the northbound
Thameslink platform?

>Obviously, it's then possible to get to the TL platforms,

Especially the southbound on the central island.

>but that's not signposted from the LU ticket hall, and it's a longer,
>less convenient route than from the Thameslink ticket hall.

Of course, Thameslink passengers experience some of the ambiance even
when just passing through inside a train. More so if they are in the
portion at the north end, I agree.

ps. Have they installed the "missing" validators yet?
--
Roland Perry

Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
> In message <tekbpu$1dnu1$2@dont-email.me>, at 06:47:26 on Tue, 30 Aug
> 2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>> In message <tej52d$17t9n$2@dont-email.me>, at 19:46:21 on Mon, 29 Aug
>>> 2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>> In message <teils6$1561t$2@dont-email.me>, at 15:27:02 on Mon, 29 Aug
>>>>> 2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
>>>>>>> In message <pvcpgh5l76idk1v6a0khts5qrpvtvimalt@4ax.com>, at 13:43:44 on
>>>>>>> Mon, 29 Aug 2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>>>>>> There has been discussion lately in another thread about whether
>>>>>>>> Thameslink passengers using Farringdon station
>>>>>>>> experience the ambience of an LU station or a national rail station. I
>>>>>>>> took some pictures to illustrate the differences:
>>>>>>>> <https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/albums/72177720301675244/>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> But none to illustrate the similarities. Funny that.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> As I said, the point was to illustrate the differences.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> In fact, there are few similarities. Most of the remaining LU platforms
>>>>>> from the 1860s have changed a lot and look quite different now.
>>>>>
>>>>> Some pictures, perhaps?
>>>>
>>>> Of what?
>>>
>>> The "old shed" and the platforms beneath.
>>>
>>>>>> And the new Farringdon station entrance and ticket hall have no
>>>>>> similarities with LU stations.
>>>>>
>>>>> The old station entrance is still there.
>>>>
>>>> Yes, but only for LU. Thameslink passengers haven't used that entrance for
>>>> over a decade.
>>>
>>> Why not, are there no longer stairs down to all the platforms from
>>> there?
>>
>> There are only stairs to the two LU platforms.
>
> Interesting, I wonder what happened to the stairs to the northbound
> Thameslink platform?

Sealed off. You'd never guess they were ever there if you hadn't used the
station long ago.

>
>> Obviously, it's then possible to get to the TL platforms,
>
> Especially the southbound on the central island.
>
>> but that's not signposted from the LU ticket hall, and it's a longer,
>> less convenient route than from the Thameslink ticket hall.
>
> Of course, Thameslink passengers experience some of the ambiance even
> when just passing through inside a train. More so if they are in the
> portion at the north end, I agree.

Yes, though it's more the ambience of a preserved original 1860s station
than a typical LU station.

>
> ps. Have they installed the "missing" validators yet?

I've already answered that question, and you responded.