И. А. Курбасова Е. И. Силантьева

TEXT В. REBUILDING

THE BIRMINGHAM NEW STREET STATION
(1) The Birmingham New Street Station was built as far back as 1854. While erecting the building the designers gave particular attention to its outward appearance. Being richly decorated, however, the station in many respects was not convenient for passengers. Moreover, in the course of time as the number of arriving trains increased the station building could not cope with the growing flow of passengers. So the terminal had to be rebuilt.

(2) The new Birmingham Station is of recent construction. Wide application of modern materials for finishes enabled the designers to make the building remarkably attractive. Unlike the old station the new one has been greatly expanded (расширять). No wonder that a large volume of work was involved in its reconstruction. The whole process of con­struction being mechanized, the hard labour of the workers was greatly facilitated. The rebuilding" of the station was considerably speeded up thanks to a wide application of prefabricated units.

(3) Both the tracks and the platforms are now located below the street level. A great concrete building erected above them is supported by more than 200 columns. Large double glass doors lead to the main hall with the information centre, the ticket office, the waiting-rooms and other con­veniences for passengers. In order to get to the platforms the passengers use escalators. Now the Birmingham New Street Station is regarded one of the most remarkable railway terminals in Britain.

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