The Peterborough Station 2000 to 2013 Platform 4

Railways around Peterborough & The National Rail Network & Heritage railways in the UK

National Express East Coast HST 43307 is at rear of a train going out of platform 4 at Peterborough railway station in 2008 heading North.

When from December 2007 National Express took over the East Coast rail service the re-branding of the HSTs went well for a start, with full sets in the new colours, but it did not last long. Only 43307 at rear of this set was in the new colours. The mark threes have just had the white stripe added instead of GNERs red one.

This East Coast Main Line (ECML) railway franchise was not going to last very long, for on the 14th November in 2009 East Coast took over as the new operating operating company, that took over the running of the ECML. National Express, which had run National Express East Coast as a subsidiary company, decided to walk away from this railway franchise

National Express East Coast class 91118 into platform 4 on the 4th of July 2009

East Coast class 91104 in platform 4 at Peterborough. East Coast is the railway operating operating company that took over from National Express East Coast

East Coast is the name of the railway operating operating company that took over the running of the East Coast Main Line from the 14th of November 2009 These trains had run been run by National Express East Coast as a subsidiary company. They then decided it was cheaper to walk away from this franchise

East Coast is the trading name of East Coast Main Line Company Ltd which is a subsidiary of Directly Operated Railways Limited. This was was formed by the Department for Transport. It may re-tender the franchise some time but with GNER and NXEC both not making the money they needed with ECML trains, will any one else want it?

In 2014/5 the Department for Transport has re-tendered the East Coast franchise.

East Coast has put some names back on the 91s but not the same ones as be for. Some of old class 91 names were Queen Elizabeth II and Cancer Research UK. Some of the towns on the ECML also had names on the 91s, Peterborough Cathedral and City of Newcastle are just two. The were only white stuck on letters not cast, but GNER did try unlike NXEC.

A start was made in 2010 to repaint these 91s and Mark four sets in the siver grey East Coast colours. It has took till 2014. Lack of any spare train sets to paint is the reason it may have took so long.

This GBRf class 66 has the Metronet branding as it comes though platform 4. Note the water bottles in the cab.

West Coast Railways Class 47760 on a Cathedrals Express train in platform 4 at Peterborough station.

This Class 47 was built in 1964 at Crewe and given the number D1617. It has had a few numbers over the years with 47036 from 1974, then 47562 and 47760 from 1994. It has also had the names of "Sir William Burrel" and "Restless" and also "Ribblehead Viaduct".

West Coast Railways is a spot hire and railway charter company which is based in the old MPD at Carnforth were they also do locomotive and coach restoration. The Steamtown Heritage centre was based at the site, but stopped having open days, because of the amout of rolling stock at the site, for the spot hire and the railway charters took over the site.

These two Freightliner class 66s had stopped in platform 4 with a down container train for a quick crew change. This was done in the station instead of the goods loops next to the station which is more common.

This class 66 was heading for the March line to Ely. It was also using platform 4 this time in the up direction.

First Capital Connect Class 365541 comes though platform 4 in June 2008.

This First Capital Connect EMU number 365541 is ECS heading north towards Westwood bridge were it will cross over to the up fast. It will stop and then head south towards London though Peterborough station on the up fast.

Platform four started being used on the 25 June 1972 ready for when the new though lines opened on the 2nd May 1973. Most ECML down trains to Leeds and Scotland use platform four

Platform 4 was and still is used by up and down Norwich Cambridge and Birmingham Nottingham and Liverpool trains.

Freight and passenger trains and light engines can also use platforms 4 both ways.

Platform Four is on the eastern edge of a island platform with Platform 5 is on the outer western edge.

The buildings on this island platform are of the style of architecture prevalent in the 1960's and 1970's bland and and insipid. But clean and just about fit for there use.

These two platforms are linked to the main station by a long foot bridge over the two fast lines. This footbridge was made longer when the new lines with platform 6 and 7 were put in,in 2014.

There is also a Post office bridge that was out of bounds in BR days, but is now used for push chairs and the yellow mobility truck that carries wheelchairs and old people over who can't use the stairs, as Peterborough station still had no lifts, right to up till 2014!.