Looking east from the footbridge at Gloucester station. The signal and points on the righthand most track mark the point where platforms 1 (east end, where the Class 143 is) and 2 meet, this single platform face is the longest station platform in Britain at 602.69 metres (1977 ft. 4 ins.), meaning that it is possible for two HSTs to be accomodated end to end at the station - and this does happen on occasion. The reason for this extreme length is due to a break-of-gauge between the Great Western Railway (7ft 0¼ in (2140 mm)) and London Midland and Scottish Railway (4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm)) tracks here prior to the latter's adoption as standard gauge in 1892.
Platform 4 is a standard length platform on the left, with platform 3 a west-facing bay platform at the opposite end of the station. The design of the platforms suggests that there were previously three east-facing bay platfroms - on the opposite side to each of the present platforms 1, 2 and 4.
Photo by Chris McKenna 20/05/2006.
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