First Capital Connect rebranding King's Lynn station as "British Railways"

[whole diary]

[paul7575]

Don't see much National Rail branding up Scotland. Scot Rail is a good branding.

'National Rail' branding isn't used anywhere much is it?   

Unless you mean the 'BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) arrows' - which are still the usual external direction sign even in Scotland aren't they?

Paul

[SDS]

But there are 4 versions of the arrow of indecision.

The 'new' double arrow inside a circle (national rail), which I only see on the website and on the bottom of the new printed tickets.
The previous standard crows feet double arrow, which to be honest I dont see much on station signage other than the one at the roadside.

the reverse arrow for sealink
and the air links arrow.

[smokey]

But there are 4 versions of the arrow of indecision.

The 'new' double arrow inside a circle (national rail), which I only see on the website and on the bottom of the new printed tickets.
The previous standard crows feet double arrow, which to be honest I dont see much on station signage other than the one at the roadside.

the reverse arrow for sealink
and the air links arrow.

And why was the Double Arrow reversed on a ships port side?
think I know the answer

[JayMac]

So the top arrow always pointed toward the bow.

Sealink's house flag was also a reversed 'double arrow', with the arrows making an 'S' for Sealink.

[bobm]

I was also told the logo was reversed because ships past left to left while trains, in general, pass right side to right side - hence making the reversed logo more appropriate for Sealink.

[SDS]

Stolen from wiki.

An inverted version of the BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) symbol was used on Sealink's funnels and flags.

This was because:
The inverted arrows make an "S" for Sealink when in that direction.

While railways in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) pass right to right (i.e. drive on the left), ships have to pass left to left (i.e. drive on the right), so this version was more accurate.

On the ships' funnels the symbol was reversed on the port side but correct on the starboard side, so the 'top' arrow was always pointing towards the bow of the ship.

[paulmeenan]

Hello all; treu story coming up. hopefully it answers all your comments..

I was the project manager for the works. If you are not aware the project started and was budgeted for a electrical rewire only.

During this time, I visited Barnstaple station (and wolferton) and was inspired by the appearence of the station, this led me to mount a mission to increase the scope. Now money being a premium issue we value engineered the existing scope (which I wrote being an electrical engineer/former electrician) to encompass and restore the existing canopies and patch repair the platform.

The paint scheme was inspired by a old GER steam unit (blue red and gold) contrary to media reports! The color scheme was chosen by the local Fen Line user group and agreed upon by staff and passengers. How often does that happen!

So I then managed to pry some additional money from the Customer Service director at FCC^▸ (First Capital Connect) to expand the paint scheme to cover the entire station! being a fan of all things vintage we thought what else can we achieve for a minimal cost.

So; to pick a specific era like 1930s would cost to much and be impossible to achieve for our budget. Plus modern legislation also had its conflict with us. We decided that circa 1948/49 would be best chosen, a era where everything was new BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) branded yet the reminance of LNER^» (London North Eastern Railway - about) and GER was still visible. hence teh project was heritage inspired. We had GER cast iron benches made locally for less than a Normal rail bench you buy for modern stations! We had all advertising taken down and alll posters made in new colour matched (not painted) with the station. Advertising space was redced and all signs were installed level (unlike as it was with advert posters everywhere).

During teh works we found more items needing repairs and so expanded the scope to include replacement fo te booking hall roof and new ticket office floors. Lighting became LED whihc then enabled me to crowbar money from network rail to retarmac all floor surfaces so the lighting didnt show up poor floors. We had new heelsafe, slip free cast iron drain covers made to replace the old ones. New LNER station clocks, coat hangers, and all public areas were colour matched and redecorated. FCC head office decided to reproduce all posters in the old BR border style.

We wrote to teh DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) for permission to use the British railways brand, their response was "why", "why not" we said, they were miffed and said the only permission we actually needed was to use the red arrow logo. Onward we went.

DDA^» (Disability Discrimination Act - about) or the equality act as its been known since 2010 possed problems, as the new aluminium pan signs were going to be a direct mirror of the 1948 BR signage manual, however we are not allowed to use upper case letters as it discriminates against those who have problems reading!!!!! I know... don't start me on it. We had to change them, and after 20 revisions and lots of debate! The only parts that remained was the double arrow.. shame really. They are however DDA as you put compliant.

The Totems were hand made and I would rather die than make them lower case, luckily heritage agreed with and were very supportive. The ticket machines were vinyl wrapped and I designed them as they were three different types of mutilcolors, thought it would look good to rearrange them to useable locations and not cluttering and blend them in.

The station is listed and yet changes were made without any consents, with this project we revesed the damge somewhat.

All in we spent under 1.1 million. got  alot including more parking bays and behind the scenes kit for that. All while keeping the station open.

I knopw the purists wont like it I had one comment of "why use LED! what will the children think!" I was told I should have put gas lanterns back up... seriously we scope creeped as we went along, we took every idea and suggestion from the public and did it... what projects ever do that! We could only hope to do a Moor st look.

PS. internal key switched fused spurs (as they are called) are suitable for their envioroment as per BS 7671 as no power supplies are loacted external to teh enviroment and were under canopies we have encassed them in a IP box as additional protection just in case. The key switch is to allow authorise double pole isolation locally by maintainers and prevent nusicence switching (the machines were on a plug and socket!).

I loved every minute of the job and the station look grand for what we have done, lots of old glory back into a serious delapidated station. if it not to everyones liking then I'm sorry but I and the locals love it.. besides you have the same at Barnstaple!

apologies for any typos if you want more info please leave a reply....

[Chris from Nailsea]

Firstly, may I offer you a very warm welcome to the Coffee Shop forum, Paul!

Many thanks for posting that fascinating summary of what must have been a busy time on the whole project.

Also, from Lynn News:

New-look old-look King^s Lynn station officially opened


The Rt Hon Michael Portillo with project manager Paul Meenan at Lynn Rail station.

Lynn^s newly-refurbished rail station was officially reopened on Tuesday by rail enthusiast and former government minister Michael Portillo after a 1950s-style makeover.

The refurbishments began last spring and will transport passengers back to the 1950s thanks to the Great Eastern Railway-inspired cast iron benches, vintage lanterns and a new paint job.

Mr Portillo, who presents the highly-rated television series Great British Railway Journeys exploring the historical influence of the railway on Britain, first visiting Lynn^s station three years ago. He said: ^I believe that people respond very significantly to magnificent architecture and Lynn^s station has been refurbished in a spectacular manner. Standing in the ticket hall, the building has been stripped away and restored to the previous design. The colours have been carefully chosen, with the gold representing that this is a royal station, and the signage adds a certain nostalgia.^

Unveiling a plaque inside the station, he said: ^I want to thank our project manager who had a real vision and has produced something very special. My commiserations to First Capital Connect for losing this magnificent station.^

David Statham, managing director of First Capital Connect, said: ^The new look is a fantastic and welcome addition to the station. It started as a simple rewiring job but the team recognised that they could do so much more.^

The station carries a grade II heritage status and the project team have been working very closely with the Fen Line Users^ Association to achieve a look that harks back to the Victorian era.

Mr Statham added: ^For me, a lot of what makes this project feel special is the involvement of the local community, and that has made this one of the best heritage projects in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom).^

He welcomed rail enthusiast Richard Brown, who restored the former royal station at Wolferton where he lives, and has helped with the bench designs, paintwork and lighting at Lynn station.

Local historian and member of the King^s Lynn Civic Society, Paul Richards, said: ^When you bring a building back to life, it gives people a lift to see the fantastic architecture used to show off the history and heritage of the town. This is an amazing investment in the town and I would say it is money well spent.^

The restoration has paved the way for further refurbishment, including work on Portland Street, to make the town more inviting for visitors and to encourage trade.

West Norfolk Council leader, Cllr Nick Daubney, said: ^The rail link is so vital to the town^s prosperity and the station brings trade and tourism into the heart of Lynn. They could have just given it a lick of paint, but they really have gone that extra mile to give the station that heritage style. It^s a big statement for the town.^

West Norfolk Mayor Barry Ayres added: ^This refurbishment reflects Lynn^s long history and I think it^s absolutely fantastic for those who commute from dreary stations during the winter. From a trade and tourism point of view it is absolutely fantastic and with further plans to update Portland Street, the town will be much more welcoming for visitors.^

[trainer]

Adding my welcome to you Paul, I would also like to thank you for the fullest of explanations.  It's always good to get it from the 'horse's mouth', so to speak.  It also stops the rest of us expending hours speculating! 

[onthecushions]

Welcome, and congratulations on a brilliant job.

This has put quality not nostalgia back into one part of the Railway's public space. The public generally like this, respect it and use it more.

We have a few little problems down here with our new station in sunny Reading, if you're free......

OTC

[grahame]

We have a few little problems down here with our new station in sunny Reading, if you're free......

A big welcome, Paul

We have this little project running in Wiltshire - target to get passenger journeys up from 60 a day between Chippenham and Trowbridge to around 140 this year and 320 by year three.  Emphasis so far has been in promoting rail travel and getting "bums on seats", but both Wiltshire Council and First Great Western have been rather helpful in works at the intermediate station at Melksham.    The newish TransWilts Community Rail Partnership is looking to help fill in and make the station more appealing once those intermediate works get to the settled point (little point in repainting a cycle shed that's about to be replaced, or replanting a flower bed that was removed to make way for a bigger and lit platform shelter).

So we're like this now:
http://www.wellho.net/pix/1000mkm.jpg

And this is what we looked like in the era that you've taken Kings Lynn back to:
http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/melksham-station_c1964.jpg

First and foremost, it's got to be a working and busy commuter and business station (numbers are hopeful), but I know a bit of nostalgia would further help the sense of ownership.  We're looking to learn from projects like yours ...

[Btline]

What did the "air links" arrow look like?

[Brucey]

Having been back to King's Lynn again since starting this topic, my opinion has changed now the work has finished.  The design looks clean and consistent, something we don't often see elsewhere.  As paulmeenan has explained, the concept was clearly well thought through.

I also had need to use the ticket office to obtain a zero fare excess.  Unusually friendly and efficient service, with a nice smile.

[SDS]

What did the "air links" arrow look like?

This is the one I was thinking of.

[Btline]

Wow - love it! Bring it back!!!!

Seriously - what an excellent logo.