The footbridge to the north of Bromley North Station has been replaced.
            The original footbridge (below) was built to replace a level crossing in  the early 20th century and was quite expansive in length, intrestingly, it's replacement- a smart green structure, is the same length, despite the fact that it need not be due to the fact that the frieght tracks which the orginal footbridge spans were removed in the 1960s. One supposes that either it was cheaper to construct a longer deck then construct a new base or that Network Rail is keeping the option of using the former goods yard as stabling sidings for a future extension of the DLR, Bakerloo or Overground. The latter option seems less likely now that Network Rail is planning on developing the former goods yard.

Of course, the passing of the old footbridge is sad, expecially given it's elegance and also it's see through wall allowing small children like myself 7 years ago to see the trains! However the old footbridge had uneven steps and the structure was quite old and possibly loosing it's structural integrity, it is good to see Network Rail investing in keeping the infrastructure of the railway in order. The new footbridge is aesthetically pleasing and will no doubt last for  another hundred years or so.
For more images of the footbridge replacement click on this link.

I have just received a kind email from Ben Brooksbank informing me that I can use his 1961 photograph of Bromley North Station, which is of course displayed above. This will be the first entry into the 'historical gallery' (coming soon) and a hope it will be joined by more photos which will help us to understand the branch as it was.

A few notes on the photograph-
It was taken on the footbridge that spans the station throat, the same from which I took my photos many years later, the amount of tracks explains 'the mystery of the unnecessary extraordinary long footbridge' which I was confronted with when I first moved to the area. Of coarse I found out through facts first but the photograph displays the answer so much better than words can.

As you can see much has changed, the goods yard was lifted in 1968 and is now a car park and small bus stabling area, in the 2011 photograph it is hidden by the trees. The EMU stabling siding (between the track between the Platform with a train in it and another EMU) was retained until it too was lifted in 1975. There are wagons in a siding as well as 2 EMUs stabled. In the extensive goods yard a steam locomotive could often be seen shunting the wagons as  the right three sidings were not electrified.

Also note the semaphore signals and the new signaless gantry, the signals would be installed for the 1976 london bridge resignalling scheme, which would render the semaphores redundant resulting in their removal.

I hope to be putting more images into the historical gallery in the future.