LARGEST RAILWAY STATION IN THE WORLD.

Western Star, Issue 949, 20 May 1885, Page 3

LARGEST RAILWAY STATION IN THE WORLD.

The time occupied from the commencement to the completion of what may be termed the new half of the station, but which is practically only the realisation of the original conception, has bi en two years and a half, to effect which 1000 artisans and laborers have been employed for that period. The first cost of the station was a little less than half a million, the recent additions having rather exceeded another half million ; and when it is added that the area of ground now covered by the combined station is between 11 and 12 acres, or an extent of 54,500' square yards, it will be obvious that the assertion that the Birmingham station of the London and North-Western Eailway is the largest passenger siation in the world is no exaggeration. The new i offices and platform erections have been constructed and finished in as perfect i a manner as po.-sible, and the refresh-1 ment-rooms, waiiing-rooms, and lava-! tones are unique in their arrangements. The total length of platforms erected in ft he combined station exceeds one mile and a-balf. The new arrangements have necessitated the appointment of one chief stationmaster, two assistant stationmasters,a;completestaff of inspectors and foremen for each platform, besides the usual number of porters, assistants, etc. The total number of men engaged on what is called the usual staff for all departments is 547, though this number will have to be increased eventually, the number of trains passing in and out of New street station daily at the present time being close upon 400. On two occasions recently the numbers have been taken of persons who, making use of the footbridge, have passed in at the New street entrance and straight out again at the other side of the station. For this purpose a Thursday was chosen as being a most ordinary, and Saturday as an extraordinary dav. On the Thursday the number was 22,452, and on the Saturday 25,334.—" Birmingham Trade Journal."