Sheffield Railway Station and on to Swinton - UK Rail Journeys Series 2 - Episode 07
In 'Sheffield Railway Station and on to Swinton' I visit Sheffield Station and then start my journey with Northern Rail to Leeds. Today only part of my journey is on the true route of the Thames Clyde Express.

Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with the podcast:




















Sheffield Station:
The 'railway mania' sees the Manchester Sheffield and Lincoln Railway, the London and Northwestern Railway and the Midland Railway building lines across the steep hills and valleys into the city..

Sheffield (Midland) station opens in 1870 as Pond Street. There are extensions in 1905 and a major redevelopment completes in 2006.

I want to see the Sheffield Tap which runs a brewery on the station. It is in the former First Class Edwardian refreshment and dining rooms. Restoration means that the rooms are now in their original condition.

In the 1970s British Rail converts the refreshment room into a waiting room and pushes the damaged front bar to the rear of the room. They remove the ornate fireplace and other features. Vandals soon get to work!

In 1976 it is and left to decay. In 2008, the restoration began. Private investment and grants lead to repairs and replication where required. The barrel plaster ceiling is a replica of the old one. Handmade, the work  of a local contractor.

The operators of the Sheffield Tap say that they're only the caretakers of the publicly owned Grade II listed building.
Meadowhall:
I take the train for the short journey to Meadowhall station which serves the Meadowhall Shopping Centre. The Centre is built on land that used to be part of the Sheffield steel industry.
Onwards:
I then take the train for Leeds passing through the rather depressing Rotherham Central station. By the end of the episode I have reached Swinton station.
Off piste:
It is not possible to follow the route of the Thames Clyde because of mining subsidence in the area which has resulted in the removal of parts of the track.

Listen to the podcast to hear about Sheffield Station and the journey to Swinton.

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Music:
AKM Music licenses Steam Railway and Lovin' It for use in this podcast and The Tavern is licensed from Joseph McDade.