Frederick Banister: Difference between revisions
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→1860-1896: Chief Engineer, LB&SCR: cuckoo line |
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*'''Extensions to the [[Wealden Line]]''': redesign railway access to {{stnlnk|Lewes}} and then {{stnlnk|Uckfield}}, before extending the [[Wealden Line]] to {{stnlnk|Eridge}} to link with the Three Bridges to Tunbridge Wells West line |
*'''Extensions to the [[Wealden Line]]''': redesign railway access to {{stnlnk|Lewes}} and then {{stnlnk|Uckfield}}, before extending the [[Wealden Line]] to {{stnlnk|Eridge}} to link with the Three Bridges to Tunbridge Wells West line |
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*Widening of the line from {{stnlnk|Victoria}} to {{stnlnk|Streatham}}; and the widening of the line from {{stnlnk|East Croydon}} to [[Coulsdon]] |
*Widening of the line from {{stnlnk|Victoria}} to {{stnlnk|Streatham}}; and the widening of the line from {{stnlnk|East Croydon}} to [[Coulsdon]] |
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*'''1876 Portsmouth extension |
*'''1876 Portsmouth extension:''' redesigning the existing [[Portsmouth Direct Line]] terminus at {{stnlnk|Portsmouth and Southsea}}, to allow extension of the tracks to a new station at {{stnlnk|Portsmouth Harbour}}, thus giving direct connection to the companies paddle steamer services to the [[Isle of Wight]] |
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*'''1880 extension of the [[Cuckoo Line]]:''' extension of the [[Cuckoo Line]] north from {{stnlnk|Hailsham}} to {{stnlnk|Erdidge}}<ref>{{cite book |author=A. C. Elliott |title=The Cuckoo Line |publisher=Wild Swan Publications Ltd |location= |year= |pages= 33, 139 |isbn=0-906867-63-0 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref> |
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*The extension of the Island line to {{stnlink|Ryde Pier Head}} |
*The extension of the Island line to {{stnlink|Ryde Pier Head}} |
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*'''Rebuilding railway stations:''' Banister had a love of [[Italianate architecture]],<ref name=NatArch/> which is reflected in his rebuilding of various stations, including:<ref name=GracesGuide/> {{stnlnk|Brighton}}; {{stnlnk|Chichester}}; {{stnlnk|East Croydon}}; {{stnlnk|Eastbourne}};<ref>{{Citation|last=Surtees|first=Dr John|title= Eastbourne, A History|place=Chichester|publisher=Phillimore|year=2002|isbn=1-86077-226-9 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Brighton to Eastbourne|author=Vic Mitchell & Keith Smith|publisher=Middleton Press|date=1985|ISBN=0-906520-16-9}}</ref> {{stnlnk|Epsom Downs}}; {{stnlnk|Newhaven}}; {{stnlnk|Seaford}}; {{stnlnk|Sutton}}; {{stnlnk|Tunbridge Wells}} |
*'''Rebuilding railway stations:''' Banister had a love of [[Italianate architecture]],<ref name=NatArch/> which is reflected in his rebuilding of various stations, including:<ref name=GracesGuide/> {{stnlnk|Brighton}}; {{stnlnk|Chichester}}; {{stnlnk|East Croydon}}; {{stnlnk|Eastbourne}};<ref>{{Citation|last=Surtees|first=Dr John|title= Eastbourne, A History|place=Chichester|publisher=Phillimore|year=2002|isbn=1-86077-226-9 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Brighton to Eastbourne|author=Vic Mitchell & Keith Smith|publisher=Middleton Press|date=1985|ISBN=0-906520-16-9}}</ref> {{stnlnk|Epsom Downs}}; {{stnlnk|Newhaven}}; {{stnlnk|Seaford}}; {{stnlnk|Sutton}}; {{stnlnk|Tunbridge Wells}} |
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Revision as of 23:10, 11 February 2013
Frederick Dale Banister MICE (15 March 1823 - 22 December 1897), was an English civil engineer, best known for his 35 years as the Chief Engineer of the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (LB&SCR).[1]
Early life
Born in London on the 15 March 1823, he was educated privately until his parents moved to Lancashire, where he completed his schooling at Preston Grammar School.[1]
Articled as an apprentice to John J. Myres of Preston when he was aged 15, he gained experience in surveying and levelling, and in the valuation of damage caused to various properties by the construction of railways.[1]
In 1844 he joined the civil engineering business of Charles Cawley, and was directly responsible for setting out the first few miles of the Manchester, Bury and Rossendale Railway (MB&RR).[2] The proposed route through the Irwell Valley was approved by the Chief Inspector of Railways Major General Sir Charles W. Pasley on 23 September 1846.[2] While undertaking the works, the MB&RR amalgamated with another proposed railway to form the East Lancashire Railway.[2] Banister was subsequently placed in charge of preparing the surveys and necessary UK Parliament submissions to extend the line, which hence became part of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway.[1][2]
1846-1849: Move to Brighton, first period with the LB&SCR
In light of his continuing but minor health issues, he was strongly advised by his physician to move to the South Coast of England. With this in mind he took a period of leave with relatives in Brighton, East Sussex in the Spring of 1846, during which he happened to obtain an appointment with Robert Jacomb-Hood, then Chief Engineer of the LB&SCR.
Appointed as an assistant engineer to Jacomb-Hood, he was placed in charge of the construction of the branchline from New Cross to the River Thames at Deptford, where he was to also design, survey and manage the construction of a new dock system to replace the 1844 closed Convoys Wharf.
1849-1859: Civil Engineer and Architect
After completing the line in 1849, Banister retired from the railway to set up his own Civil Engineering and Architecture business in Brighton. Engaged mostly in works in and around the Brighton area, his most notable piece was to layout and begin the development of the Cliftonville Estate in modern Hove, the associated waterworks (both later sold to the LB&SCR), and building of model dwellings for the labouring classes, along the lines of models set out by the Terry family of York and the Cadbury family at Bournville, Worcestershire.
1860-1896: Chief Engineer, LB&SCR
On the retirment of Jacemb-Hood in 1860, Banister was appointed Chief Resident Engineer to LB&SCR. While his Civil Engineering and Architecture practice had been successful, he had always kept contact with the railway, undertaking sub-contract works for them where requested.
During the following 35 years in residence, he was responsible for identifying and then the design, surveying and construction of all the extensions and important works to be undertaken by the LB&SCR. These included:[1]
- 1862 South London line extension to London Bridge: this involved the construction of 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of viaduct for three lines of rails; and the construction of a 186 feet (57 m) bow-string-girder bridge over Bacon’s tannery
- 1862 extension of London Bridge: Banister gained an Act of Parliament to enlarge London Bridge further, building four more platforms in an adjoining area to the south to cope with additional traffic generated by the completion of the South London line and other suburban lines to Victoria station.[3] In plans laidout and designs approved by Banister, J. Hawkshaw engineered and constructed a single-span trussed-arch roof measuring 88 ft by 655 ft (27m by 200m).[4]
- Design and costruction of the Lewes and East Grinstead Railway: including Imberhorne Viaduct, now better known as the Bluebell Railway
- Design and engineering of the East Grinstead, Groombridge and Tunbridge Wells Railway: the extension of the Three Bridges to East Grinstead Railway to link with the SER at Tunbridge Wells Central via Tunbridge Wells West, in a race with the SER.[5]
- Extensions to the Wealden Line: redesign railway access to Lewes and then Uckfield, before extending the Wealden Line to Eridge to link with the Three Bridges to Tunbridge Wells West line
- Widening of the line from Victoria to Streatham; and the widening of the line from East Croydon to Coulsdon
- 1876 Portsmouth extension: redesigning the existing Portsmouth Direct Line terminus at Portsmouth and Southsea, to allow extension of the tracks to a new station at Portsmouth Harbour, thus giving direct connection to the companies paddle steamer services to the Isle of Wight
- 1880 extension of the Cuckoo Line: extension of the Cuckoo Line north from Hailsham to Erdidge[6]
- The extension of the Island line to Ryde Pier Head
- Rebuilding railway stations: Banister had a love of Italianate architecture,[7] which is reflected in his rebuilding of various stations, including:[1] Brighton; Chichester; East Croydon; Eastbourne;[8][9] Epsom Downs; Newhaven; Seaford; Sutton; Tunbridge Wells
Port of Newhaven
From 1864, under instruction from the LB&SCR, Banister designed the port and transport access system for the LB&SCR owned Newhaven docks. After guiding the required approvals through parliamnet, Banister personally managed the works without contractors, including:[1]
- The 1864 construction of the Seaford Branch Line from the East Coastway Line at Lewes, which allowed supply of building materials to enable construction of...
- The provision of additional quays
- The construction of new sea-walls
- New entrance piers and lighthouses
- The building of a concrete breakwater, extending seawards for 800 yards (730 m).
The resultant works allowed access for the LB&SCR's new larger passenger steamships, and created through reclamation several new acres of land which were subsequently developed and then sub-leased to various industrial companies.[1] The town of Newhaven greatly expanded on the back of the works, as they allowed a large increase in both trade and subsequently population.[1]
Retirement
After completing the widening of the Brighton Main Line from East Croydon to Coulsdon in January 1896, Banister retired from the LB&SCR again, replaced by C.L. Morgan. Banister died at his home in Forest Row, East Sussex on the 22 December 1897.[1]
His personal copies of various architechural drawings when designing buildigs for the LB&SCR are held by the Royal Institute of British Architects.[7]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Federick Dale Banister". GracesGuide.co.uk. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
- ^ a b c d Wells, Jeffrey (1995), An Illustrated Historical Survey of the Railways in and Around Bury, Challenger Publications, ISBN 1-899624-29-5
- ^ Turner, J.T. Howard (1977). The London Brighton and South Coast Railway. 1. Origins and formation. London: Batsford. pp. 41–2. ISBN 0-7134-0275-X.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|month=(help) - ^ Heap, Christine and van Riemsdijk, John (1980). The Pre-Grouping Railways part 2. H.M.S.O. for the Science Museum. ISBN 0-11-290309-6.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) p.78. - ^ Oppitz, Leslie (2003). Lost Railways of Kent. Newbury, Berkshire: Countryside Books. p. 69. ISBN 978-1-85306-803-4.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ A. C. Elliott. The Cuckoo Line. Wild Swan Publications Ltd. pp. 33, 139. ISBN 0-906867-63-0.
- ^ a b "Major accessions to repositories in 2005 relating to Architecture". The National Archives. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
- ^ Surtees, Dr John (2002), Eastbourne, A History, Chichester: Phillimore, ISBN 1-86077-226-9
- ^ Vic Mitchell & Keith Smith (1985). Brighton to Eastbourne. Middleton Press. ISBN 0-906520-16-9.