WEEKLY
TOGETHER
TAKING THE NORTH FURTHER | THURSDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2023
175 YEARS OF HULL STATION This year Hull station celebrates a very special milestone, 175 years since it opened. Today the station welcomes 12 million passengers every year, around two million of whom are there to catch a train. The station has gone through some massive changes since it first opened going from a humble station to a major transport hub for the city of Hull. This year has been one of major development, with the installation of the gateline and the opening of the Safer Hull Paragon Hub. The hub has already helped to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour at the station and has provided a place for local charities to be visible to the public. This edition of Together Weekly will look at how the station has transformed over 175 years and some of the amazing things we’ve been doing to mark this significant milestone.
INTRODUCING THE HULL PARAGON 175 As part of the celebrations we also named one of our 185 trains ‘the Hull Paragon’. The name unveiling was attended by current Station Manager Ben Courtney and some of the previous Station Managers: Pete Myres, Dan Dreggs and Dan Fox, who collectively have spent 19 years running the station. Ben Courtney, Hull Paragon Station Manager for TPE, said: “I’m so proud that one of our trains has been renamed after the station. Hull is my home and the Interchange, in particular the station is a crucial transport link for thousands.”
OUR PERFORMANCE PERIOD 9 WEEK 1 Time to 3
ON OR ABOVE TARGET
Target 51.58%
YES
52.50% Target 94.11%
Time to 15 89.53% Cancellations
NO
Target 5.63%
5.97%
NO
Last week saw continued challenges for punctuality, with a decline in T3 and T15 once again falling behind target. What held us back? The impact from the landslips at Dewsbury and Aycliffe affected performance at the start of the week. This was compounded by other infrastructure and external incidents, including an unstable crane near the line at Leeds. The end of the week was stronger, with reduced cancellations.
THE PAST 175 YEARS IN PICTURES A lot has changed in at the station since 1848 but since it opened it has remained a major transport hub for the city. From humble beginnings, to facilitating migration, a rail disaster and enduring attacks in both the First and Second World War, Hull Paragon Interchange now sees nearly 12 million people pass through annually. The station was opened as ‘Hull Paragon Street’ on 8 May 1848. The station’s name ‘Paragon’ comes from the nearby Paragon Street, built around 1802. In the early 1900s the NorthEastern Railway (NER) expanded the train shed and station, erecting the five-arched platform roof we see today. The station quickly expanded to match the increasing popularity of the railway. Initially the station opened with eight platforms, but the vast expansion of the railway in the 1860s-1870s, saw the number of platforms increase to 14 by 1887. An engine shed to hold 20 trains was also added in the 1870s, alongside a turntable and coal shed. During the First World War the station provided a canteen and rest room for servicemen. On 5 March 1916 the station glass roof was blown out by a Zeppelin raid in which 19 people sadly lost their lives. During the 1941 Blitz, the station was bombed several times on 7 May, with the station roof again being hit repeatedly, and the small railway museum within the station was destroyed. The station was completely transformed from 2005 as part of the regeneration of Ferensway. The old bus stands were demolished to make way for St Stephen’s Shopping Centre, and were relocated along the north side of the station. The 1960s office building (Paragon House) which had been at the front of the station was demolished, revealing the original station brickwork and a new station entrance was created.
SPEAKING TO ONE OF OUR PREVIOUS HULL STATION MANAGERS Hull station has gone through some massive changes over the past few years. We spoke to previous Station Manager (2018-19), Dan Dreggs, about his time at the station: “ When I took over on stations I was looking after Hull, Brough, Selby, Scunthorpe, Barnetby, Grimsby and Cleethorpes so it was a lot of travelling and juggling. However, whenever I got back to Hull it always seemed to be ticking along nicely. “ There was always something that needed to be done and a meeting to be in but the local team would always be out and about keeping the trains and customers moving. The team made the station what it was. “ My favourite memories were always showing people the station. I loved having visitors and showing them the magnificent building and introducing them to our front-line colleagues. “ I was always keen to show people the old booking office space and the cellars. Although there was a time I was showing a stakeholder around and a large rat joined the tour. I have never seen someone in such a fitted suit move so quickly!”
SOME FUN FACTS ABOUT HULL STATION • The station was originally designed by architect George Andrews, and for a time, was the largest railway station in England. • Today, there are over 260 train drivers and conductors based at Hull • There’s a disused tunnel under the main concourse, connecting the Royal Hotel with the platforms. • In an average day there are 1,700 bus departures between the 42 platforms, and over 300 train movements across the six passenger platforms and five rail sidings. • The original Victorian ticket office was located where WHSmith is today. Before computers, all tickets were created and printed by hand!
COMING TOGETHER FOR WHITE RIBBON DAY To support White Ribbon Day the rail community came together to transport a box containing a white ribbon from Aberdeen to London. White Ribbon Day is a global movement to end male violence against women and girls. On Monday (20 November) the ribbon travelled on one of our services to Preston, where it was picked up by Avanti to make the trip to London. Jason Ashmore, Head of Onboard Services (North West and Scotland), said: "TPE were honoured to be involved with the rest of the railway community in being part of the white ribbon’s journey on the Glasgow to Preston leg and hope this builds awareness to what white ribbon day is all about."
WORLD PREMATURITY DAY Revenue Protection Administrators, Charlotte Swan and Becky Oglesby marked World Prematurity Day (17 November) by raising money for Working Independently to Support Hull Hospitals (WISHH). WISHH raises money to improve facilities, equipment, and services at Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital. Charlotte and Becky donated biscuits to a bake sale at the Hull Women’s and Children’s Hospital, raising over £200 for WISHH!
GET READY FOR BLACK FRIDAY HELP SCOTT JARVIS THIS MOVEMBER It’s Black Friday tomorrow and it’s the perfect opportunity to take advantage of MyRewards, our colleague discount scheme. Some of the UK’s biggest retailers will be offering some incredible deals and you can use your MyRewards discounts on top of them. And remember you can even access these amazing deals on the go using the ‘SmartSpending’ app. It’s now even easier to spend, as you can check out using Apple Pay. The app is available on the Google Play or App Store.
Scott Jarvis (Conductor Instructor, Manchester) is taking part in Movember this year, raising money for the children of Dom Johns. Dom Johns was a Driver Manager at TPE who passed away earlier this year. Scott said: “Dom was a great guy, as soon as you met him, he would make you feel like a friend. Dom lived life at 100% in all he did whether it was work or pleasure. Dom was there for me in the four years that we worked together, I feel that this is the least that I can do for him.” You can donate to Scott and see his progress at: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Dom-Johns
GOING THE EXTRA MILE! We’re always receiving amazing comments about our colleagues. Here’s just a few messages we were sent last week:
SOME TIPS FOR BLACK FRIDAY: • Make a list
Think about what you need and what you would like to buy in advance. Also make a note of any alternatives in case what you want is sold out or isn’t on offer.
• Set a budget
Decide on a budget and stick to it, it’s easy to get swept away and overspend.
• Compare offers
Check products on multiple sites to make sure you really are getting the best deal!
Happy saving!
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