Lytham Railway Station

The station at Lytham is at once commodious and ornamental, and the Directors have shown good taste in erecting so splendid a structure. The terminus of the railway is at the east end of Lytham, adjoining the old road to Preston, and not far from the Catholic Chapel. The principal front is built entirely of Longridge stone, in the Doric style. The entrance, is by a handsome archway, which leads into a circular vestibule, sixteen feet in diameter, surrounded by pilasters, and a regular entablature, covered with a deeply panelled dome, in which will be placed a stained glass light. To the right is the ladies' waiting room, a handsome lofty apartment, about six yards square, and the clerk's booking office. On the left is the general waiting room, which is equally handsome and larger.

Opposite to the entrance is an archway leading to the carriage station, containing, three lines of rails, and two platforms, one for the arriving, and the other for the departing trains. The platforms are raised to the level of the upper step of the carriages thus rendering the access much easier and safer. The roof of the carriage station is at once admirable and novel; formed of timber arches springing from the platforms made of planks three in thickness, bolted together in segments, supporting the raft timbers and spars, and constructed in such a manner, that in case of the decay of any part, it may be taken out and replaced by another without endangering the structure.

The principal advantage, however, is, that it admits of the whole land enclosed to be laid with lines of rails, not requiring any centre columns. It is pierced with twenty-four skylights, 12 on each side, and he 140 feet long by 53 feet wide. On the left hand side are the spare carriage sheds and engine house; on the right, the, goods warehouse and other conveniences. The workmanship is very creditable to the contractors, Messrs. Towers and Westhall, of Fleetwood. The architect is R. B. Rampling, Esq., of Fleetwood.

Reference    Manchester Guardian 14 June 1845 page 3 - contracts
Reference    Preston Guardian, Saturday, February 21, 1846 - Opening of Lytham Branch Railway