Birmingham New Street Station: lnwrbns_str1917

View of New Street station's centre lantern light and ventilation section being removed in 1945. This was the first phase of the removal of Cowper's great roof after the decision that the cost of reinstating the roof to its original condition was too great. At the commencement of the Second World War the roof had been covered with a layer of hessian and tar to prevent light from being seen by enemy bombers and also to injury to staff and passengers from flying glass if the station was bombed. The removal of the roof also triggered the removal of New Street No 3 Signal Cabin as this would be open to the elements. Its removal required the installation of track circuitry and re-signalling including in the use of colour light signals. In the view above No 3 Signal Cabin has been provided with a temporary roof to protect the signalmen from the open elements until the re-signalling allowed its removal.

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