For much of its most recent history ‘NRS’ has been covered in vast quantities of plastic sheeting whilst work on cleaning and renovation went on underneath.
Slowly it has emerged from its wrappings.
Until like a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis, it is revealed in all its glory.
This was the third station built largely on the original site, the others dating from 1839 and 1848 proved to be too small and in 1903 the third building was opened by the ‘Midland Railway’.
Designed by Mr. A.E. Lambert who was also responsible for Nottingham’s Victoria station.
Construction was in red brick, terracotta and faience (a form of glazed terracotta) with a pitched slate and glazed roof.
It would have been easy to bulldoze the old building and replace it with concrete, chrome plating and plate glass but it is to the credit of the decision makers that they chose to clean, re-furbish and adapt the existing structure.
Inside the old entrance which was built to accommodate horse drawn coaches and more recently taxi cabs has been re surfaced and converted into an area for retail purposes.
The large information boards are well lit by the vast glass roof.
The same airy open look continues into the ticket hall. The height and light gives the whole building a feeling of spaciousness and elegance.
I have passed through the station on many occasions in the past and never noticed what an attractive building it is.
The detailing which was part of the original building is lovely. This frieze is over the doorway that leads from the ticket hall to the platforms.
This panel over a doorway clearly shows the ‘Midland Railway’s initials on the centre shield.
While the year the station was built 1903 can be detected in this detail.
Once past the ticket barriers which were not operating on the day I was there, All is fresh paint.
On the platforms the blue hoardings that closed off most of the buildings during refurbishment have been removed.
A lot of trackwork has been replaced and the new ballast contrasts with the old ballast of the far set of rails which is original.
The revised trackwork on the approaches to the station are shown with the upper image looking to the West and below to the East.
East Midland Trains depot is visible to the right under the first arch in the lower image.
In 1903 when the station was built, the cost was put at a million pounds and obviously a lot more money has been spent in bringing up to the standard it is today.
In a time when public money seems to disappear into thin air, we have at least got a building that is quite literally bricks and mortar to show for it.
Hopefully, it will still be around in another 110 years.
If you are traveling via Nottingham Railway Station, try and take a few minutes extra so that you can stand, look and admire.
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