Douglas Railway Station - Platforms

Platforms

The existing platform was one of two installed in 1909 replacing the 1873 originals which were half the height. At this time also cast iron canopies were erected covering both the platforms for the majority of their length but these were demolished in 1979 as part of a rationalisation of the whole site. At this time too the other platform was lost to car parking, it being situated to the south of the extant one. The platforms had macadam surfacing with stone edging the far edge of which is picked out with whitewash. The platform is accessed by passengers via a gated walkway at the station end and can usually only be visited at the times of departing and arriving trains, being cordoned off for the remainder of the time. During the railway's annual transport festivals the platforms are occasionally open to the public for limited periods. The end of the platform features two semaphore signals, installed in 2005 themselves replacing two colour light signals that replaced original semaphores at the time of rationisation in 1979. These replacements originate from the Festiniog Railway in Wales. The platform also features cast iron lamp standards installed in 1991 when the station was refurbished, going on to win an Ian Allen Heritage Award. The original platforms prior to 1909 also featured similar lampposts though these were lit by gas rather than today's versions which are electrically lit. The sloped end of the platform was modified in more recent times so that one side now features a more gradual slope which leads to the signal box and workshop facilities by way of a concrete catwalk installed in 2001 for health and safety purposes, a further pathway being connected to the foot of the signal box steps.