When Were Station Underpasses First Used?

[Artisan]

I have searched on the internet but have not found a satisfactory answer. Can anyone tell me when station underpasses were first used? I am building a new layout with a small three platform terminus station without a canopy. the era will be around 1900. I favour the idea of underpasses between the platforms instead of overhead footbridges but I want it to look historically correct. I would be grateful if anyone could help me.

[chrism]

I have searched on the internet but have not found a satisfactory answer. Can anyone tell me when station underpasses were first used? I am building a new layout with a small three platform terminus station without a canopy. the era will be around 1900. I favour the idea of underpasses between the platforms instead of overhead footbridges but I want it to look historically correct. I would be grateful if anyone could help me.

Reading had one from 1898 onwards, when they stopped using a single platform for all trains.

[Artisan]

Thank you for that. Underpasses it is then!

[Bealman]

What an interesting question, and one I've never even thought about!

Thanks for kicking off this thread!

It should lead to a wealth of information!

[crewearpley40]

rugby wcml

warrington bank quay

spring to mind !!!!

[Steven B]

Rugby (1885) is quite late opening compared to some with underpasses:
1839 - Littleborough
1840 - Hebden Bridge
1841 - Todmorden
1860 - Great Malvern
1860 - Worcester Foregate Street

Steven B.

[RailGooner]

  If a Terminus, why the need for either footbridge or underpass?

[railsquid]

If a Terminus, why the need for either footbridge or underpass?

Indeed, I was wondering that as well, normally there wouldn't be much need to change platform at a terminus.

1860 - Worcester Foregate Street

Dunno if that counts as having an underpass, as in a pedestrian tunnel between platforms, as the station is on a viaduct.

[Michael Shillabeer]

Wimborne 1847

[AlexanderJesse]

Sounds like quite from the beginning certain stations wer built with one of the two solutions.
Are there documents that show the reasoning why the respective solution was used?

[RailGooner]

If a Terminus, why the need for either footbridge or underpass?

Indeed, I was wondering that as well, normally there wouldn't be much need to change platform at a terminus.
...

And where there is a need, one could just walk toward the station building where one can access any platform - as I've done when changing trains/platforms at Marylebone, Victoria, and Paddington.

[crewearpley40]

Didcot parkway would that count. Remember once descending the steep stairs into somewhat uninviting gloom

[woodbury22uk]

If a Terminus, why the need for either footbridge or underpass?

But they exist at London Marylebone, London Kings Cross, London Paddington etc. Some locations the bridge accessed platforms and buildings.

[RailGooner]

If a Terminus, why the need for either footbridge or underpass?

But they exist at London Marylebone, London Kings Cross, London Paddington etc. Some locations the bridge accessed platforms and buildings.

I don't deny they exist Mike. I just don't see why they exist. To me, they appear to be a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. Perhaps the problem has remained solved for such a long time, that the problem has been forgotten.

Fair play to Artisan for seeking to make his station as prototypically correct as possible. But I can't contemplate the question 'when?' without also contemplating the question 'why?'.

[woodbury22uk]

I guess one reason would be transfer between long distance and suburban services, withoutfighting the crowds on the concourse.  Arrive at Paddington non-stop from Reading or Swindon, and take the local back to Hayes.