Watch closely... this may change
Go on - watch closely... large and dark. Don't be scared.
Farringdon Station as it stands today... poised on the brink of 'redevelopment' which I desperately hope is sympathetic and preserves the original features, while removing all the grotty add-ons which have appeared over the years.
Time to get down there and grab some shots of the old familiar before it's too late.
Opened on the 9th January 1896 it was the Western terminus of the Metropolitan Railway - the other end being at Praed Street, now Paddington. This was the world's first Metro railway and ran steam trains which were specially adapted for underground use. To be honest, semi underground since it wasn't covered for the entire distance and there were ventilation grills and open cuttings a plenty.
The original terminus was a short distance from the current station, which was opened on 23rd December 1865 and was called Farringdon and High Holborn... the name which graces the station building, but not the 'official' station name.
Interesting to note the parcels office to the right - a sign of times past when there was a goods yard at Farringdon, and busy sidings towards both Moorgate and Smithfield.
At the risk of exposing my geek credentials, the station sign - as highlighted above - is one of the few remaining examples of the original Johnston Railway font. The current font goes by the wonderful name of P22 Underground Pro. There are some subtle differences, mostlly around the way curved letters (e.g the S) end and overall the 'feel' is quite different. The old sign on Finsbury Park bus station was classic Johnston.
Have a close look when you're next there.... go on, free the inner geek.
Krapy Rub Snif is Finsbury Park backwards.
Watch closely... this may change
Go on - watch closely... large and dark. Don't be scared.
Farringdon Station as it stands today... poised on the brink of 'redevelopment' which I desperately hope is sympathetic and preserves the original features, while removing all the grotty add-ons which have appeared over the years.
Time to get down there and grab some shots of the old familiar before it's too late.
Opened on the 9th January 1896 it was the Western terminus of the Metropolitan Railway - the other end being at Praed Street, now Paddington. This was the world's first Metro railway and ran steam trains which were specially adapted for underground use. To be honest, semi underground since it wasn't covered for the entire distance and there were ventilation grills and open cuttings a plenty.
The original terminus was a short distance from the current station, which was opened on 23rd December 1865 and was called Farringdon and High Holborn... the name which graces the station building, but not the 'official' station name.
Interesting to note the parcels office to the right - a sign of times past when there was a goods yard at Farringdon, and busy sidings towards both Moorgate and Smithfield.
At the risk of exposing my geek credentials, the station sign - as highlighted above - is one of the few remaining examples of the original Johnston Railway font. The current font goes by the wonderful name of P22 Underground Pro. There are some subtle differences, mostlly around the way curved letters (e.g the S) end and overall the 'feel' is quite different. The old sign on Finsbury Park bus station was classic Johnston.
Have a close look when you're next there.... go on, free the inner geek.
Krapy Rub Snif is Finsbury Park backwards.