It was wonderful to receive this artical from our member margaretoz-After placing on the site photos I had taken in LIVERPOOL . I think its fantastic how memories of your years in the town you grew up in can be brought back to life when I visit these places . I will be going to ST Helens ,Warrington and WIDNES soon so I hope members from those areas will also write in with there recollections --Over to you MARGARET ---
I was born in Roman Street, Seaforth, and like the
Overhead Railway that street has been demolished. We lived in Waterloo for
some years then returned to Seaforth to live with my aged paternal grandmother
and from there migrated to Australia in 1951. I returned 'home' for visits
in 1978 and 1980. Although I love Australia, Liverpool will always
hold a special place in my heart. Kind regards,
Margaret
MY MEMORIES OF THE LIVERPOOL OVERHEAD RAILWAY
Margaret (Lovelady) Philpott
When I was a
little girl my Dad would often take my brothers and me on a Sunday afternoon
excursion.This could be on the
train to Southport, or to visit the Museum or Art Gallery although I seem to
think the last two were closed during the war due to bomb damage; but by far the best trip was on the
Liverpool Overhead Railway from Seaforth Sands to the Pier Head and
return.
We would catch a
bus from Waterloo to Seaforth Sands, cross the road to the station, then Dad
would purchase our tickets and we would climb the stairs to the platform to
await the train.I remember there
were Chocolate Vending Machines where, pre-war, you could purchase a Cadbury or
Fry’s Chocolate Bar for tuppence.The railway track resembled Kit Kats to my way of thinking and the trains
themselves were rather wide and squat looking with wooden slatted seats and not
very comfortable.
Eventually the
train would arrive and we would scramble aboard and head for the right hand side
windows so we would be able to see the ships that were tied up in the Docks –
and there was so much to see; ships from all over the world bringing much needed
food and supplies to England, war ships in need of repairs, and on one occasion
we saw a black German U-boat which had been captured and brought to
Liverpool.
The first station
after Seaforth Sands was Gladstone Dock and here you could sometimes see
ocean-going liners belonging to Cunard White Star, Canadian Pacific, or Blue
Funnel Line, to name just a few. Next was Alexandra Dock, Brocklebank,
Canada, Huskisson, Nelson, Clarence (I forget the names of some), and eventually
we arrived at the Pier Head where we would walk down to the Floating Landing
Stage and occasionally we would board a ferry for a trip to New Brighton.The return journey was just as exciting
and interesting.These trips were
eagerly looked forward to by my brothers and me.
My first job was
in 1951 with the Royal Liver Friendly Society so I got to ride the ‘Overhead’
every weekday. Years later and living in Australia I was very sad when I learned
that it had been demolished.What
an awful day that must have been and what a wonderful tourist attraction it
would be today.
Such happy
memories of another world, so long ago!
I have had a few rides on the Liverpool Overhead railway, the last time would have been around 1948/50 when in (I think) Gladstone dock there was an aircraft carrier, ir made my day for me.
Syd.
This is the home of the WALLACE TRICKETT /LRU Print Collection
The Collection relives The old LANCASHIRE bus fleets
,Railway Locos ,Commercial Company Vans(Inc HOLLANDS PIES )
and Wagons of Days gone bye.
Click on the tab on the main menu to view and purchase via PAYPAL
LRU Blogg ( WM Writes )