Reusing railway land and buildings
This autumn has seen the destruction of the Marks Tey Goods Shed; since the commercial enterprises that had until recently found use for it ceased, this building was razed to the ground. It highlights the value of the museum's own shed, in a forthcoming Newsletter article these aspects shall be featured more fully.
Many Goods Sheds have found other uses, often they are reused for industrial purposes, but also conversions to Arts Centres, breweries, cinemas, car parks, craft markets, and housing to name a few.
The story of railway buildings often resembles a roller coaster ride- of initial hope and aspiration in its construction, their use and over time often ends in decline, disuse and then either destruction or more happily repair and preservation. In a small way the museum helps a virtuous circle by securely holding the Railway National Heritage Awards competition entries, (featured in CN84 September 2018) for which we have received some funding for archive services.
Marks Tey's example is no longer standing, replaced by a car park extension.
Another local Goods Shed loss was Wivenhoe Goods that was burnt to the ground, ending hopes of an Arts Centre conversion. It also was subject to a protracted argument about "delisting" Network Rail having to justify their preference not to repair the structure.
https://www.wivenhoehistory.org.uk/content/topics/places-buildings/wivenhoe-goods-shed
The museum has an association with Mistley, and following Rob Boyce's excellent "Chappel Photographs" group on Facebook - reproduced is a photo of Mistley box being transported to site. Meanwhile back at its original location the station has recently been brought back to life - by opening up a hair saloon of character. A link follows to a November 2020 newspaper article.
Witham Goods Shed donated many items and again the Chappel Photographs site has featured this in the past, bringing a story to date, Witham's window frames are being erected in the new Running Shed building.
Breaking news
Bishopsgate Goods Yard
In recent days (December 2020) a very long standing planning row has been resolved. Bishopsgate Goods (the site of the original Eastern Counties Railway terminus in London) will be further re-developed.
A fire destroyed this site in 1964 and in the main it has been derelict for decades until the East London (EL) Overground line was built. A station box constructed for Shoreditch High Street station so development can take place above. Below is an image showing how the "Braithwaite Arches" will be built into the design as they were listed, which caused a major cost over run and delay to the EL opening in 2010.
These arches will be conserved and becoming a centre piece of the retail space offering. Finally another railway connection is made, as the open space is referred to as the "High Line" . This is a reference to the successful East Side High Line regeneration project in New York, now regarded as an urban masterpiece.
Proposals have subsequently been made both at Peckham and Camden Town for similar schemes, progress as always relies on funding and the positive engagement of Network Rail to agree access and safety concerns.
