Birmingham New Street Station: lnwrbns_str1870a

Close up of image 'lnwrbns_str1870' showing the new extension's main station building which housed the offices and the principal passenger facilities on Platform 6. By the time the extension was opened in 1885 the Midland had adopted just two classes of passengers, First and Third, and despite the LNWR still having three classes, this appears to have been supported by the facilities provided within the main building although not at the other additional platforms. The ground floor facilities were, from left to right, Gentlemen's urinals, Telegraph Office, Ladies Third Class Waiting Room with internal connection to the Ladies Toilets, First Class Ladies Waiting Room also connected to the Ladies Toilets, General Waiting Room, LNWR & MR Booking Office Hall with steps to the passenger footbridge, Refreshment Room, Telegraph Office, Cloakroom and Toilets.

On the first and second floors the accommodation provided for offices and was accessed via the passenger footbridge. The first floor included offices for the District Inspector, Chief Booking Clerk, Cashiers, District Clerks, and the Superintendents Office,. The second floor is partly obscured by the roof's steelwork and included facilities for the District Engineer, Estate Office, Trains and Excursion Office, Claims Office, Book Room, Committee Room and toilets and stores. Richard Foster notes that after the 'Great War' or First World War as it became in known after 1945, the top floor was used by the LNWR as their passenger control office. Following bomb damage incurred during the Second World War its LMS successor, the Western Division of the LMS, moved out to later return together with the LMS' Midland Division who transferred their operations from Saltley.

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