"Dad, why is VR engraved on the teaspoon?"
"It belonged to my mate Victor Richards."
I believed him until one day some years later I learnt it stood for Victorian Railways. It had been 'acquired' by a person unknown.
In the photo below you can see Flinders Street Station illuminated to celebrate 100 years of Victorian Railways in 1954, and also a royal visit. It must have been a huge and expensive job to light it as such, and imagine how much power would have been needed for all those incandescent lamps. Quite impressive for 1954.The station stretches for a full city block, from Swanston Street to Elizabeth Street, and a bit beyond.
I think they station facade was floodlit during a 1980s renovation. The lighting was crude but effective enough, just floodlighting from a distance. The most recent renovation had lighting much improved and I think it looks great. Not Victor Richards but another Victor, Victor in Sydney, who makes frequent flying visits to Melbourne to see performances and art, took a couple of good photos of the effect of the most recent lighting job.
You simply must click this link to see the current lighting.
But I am not so keen on the effect when I discovered these photos at the Herald Sun electric newspaper. I hope the coloured lighting is used sparingly, perhaps just for special occasions.
I prefer the 1954 version, very impressive.
ReplyDeleteMarie, to people in 1954, it must have looked truly amazing. I can imagine people just staring at it.
DeleteLovely pictures. I love old train stations. So much character there.
ReplyDeleteWe agree again :) Victorian railway stations often looked sensational.
DeleteWe are all in perfect harmony on that one.
DeleteYou are right about both the 1954 version (definitely avant garde at the time) and Victor's stunning photos.
ReplyDeleteI suspect the coloured theme is/will be a precial occasions effort. Thanks for the link.
EC, yes, it seems like it. Aside from testing, I don't think the coloured lights have been turned on at all.
DeleteGreat post. A lot of interesting history in it. :-)
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
Thanks Cuban.
DeleteEl Chi, dvd on its way to you to give you an idea of the book.
ReplyDeleteBrought to you by the HighRiser Community Notice Board.
Jah Teh, what sort of dvd???
DeleteOh my gosh, the lighting is beautiful. It looks like a Disney parade (standing in place. Heh.)
ReplyDeleteSandra, you mean the 1954 lighting? Yes, very Disney.
DeleteMakes the old girl so pretty!!!
ReplyDeleteLady J, I love you referring to the station as the old girl. She is such a comforting place.
DeleteGood use of lighting can be spectacular, but bad lighting can completely ruin a building. I've witnessed both.
ReplyDeleteCro, like the parliament of British Columbia's capital city Victoria, lit up with the same style of lighting as was our Flinders Street Station in 1954. Maybe it is better now.
DeleteVictor's photos are very nice, the station looks quite elegant. I agree the coloured lighting isn't so great, but I don't mind the red so much, it's the blue that just looks wrong. The 1954 lighting was lovely.
ReplyDeleteRiver, yes, elegant is a good word. I wasn't even born in 1954, yet I can feel the excitement of the time.
Delete"How to get on with your Partner and not throw them out of a high rise window".
ReplyDeleteJah Teh, I have no intention of throwing dear R out a window. I am sure you are not suggesting that the almost perfect me would be the one to be thrown.
DeleteThat's a book? I'd read that. Just for the laughs of course, since I have no partner.
DeleteVictor's photos are beautiful. It is a beautiful station and I also prefer the 1954 lights.
ReplyDeleteGee Sami, I should have just posted the 1954 lights.
DeleteHow pretty it is! :)
ReplyDeleteThe grand old dame has been facelifted and she is once again very pretty.
DeleteVictor in Sydney's photos are gorgeous! I rather like the new version of the lighting Andrew, LED I'm guessing, but as you say, lovely for special occasions 😉
ReplyDelete