it was too short to accommodate the increasing length of the main line express trains, and the work would extend it to . At the same time the whole platform length was to be raised to a standard height of and a new awning over the platform opposite the station buildings would be added. Station Masters Mr. Withers ca. 1851 - ca. 1854 Mr. Ingram ca. 1855 John Ashley ca. 1858 Mr. Plaskett ca. 1863 John James Ford 1867 - ???? Mr. Bellamy 1878 - 1882 Charles William Wood 1882 - 1901 Arthur Joseph Pott 1902 - 1912 (formerly station master at Newark North Gate) Ernest Horatio Essame 1912 - 1917 (afterwards station master at Hull) William Bradley 1917 - 1925 Harry Dennick 1925 - 1930 (afterwards station master at Leicester Central) C.J. Cooke 1930 - 1938 Harold Gardner 1938 - 1943 (formerly station master at Lincoln, afterwards station master at London Marylebone) Harold Scampion 1947 - ca. 1961 Description Junctions near the town also connect to branches to Nottingham, and to Sleaford and Skegness. The station was built close to the factory of Richard Hornsby & Sons. It is composed of four platforms; platforms 1 and 2 are on the East Coast Main Line and are responsible for express services between London and Scotland. Platform 1 serves exclusively London King's Cross via Peterborough and Stevenage; Platform 2 serves cities of northern England and Edinburgh. Platform 2, 3 and 4 are formed from a large island platform structure. Platform 3 is a bay platform at the northern end of the station that is used to allow local trains to reverse, while Platform 4 is a two-way platform that is used by East Midlands Railway. Only Platform 1 has amenities, including toilets, refreshments and a buffet. Prior to the reopening of the Allington Chord in 2006, trains for Nottingham – Grantham – Skegness reversed in the station and travelled along the ECML, crossing the ECML via a flat junction, adding to congestion on the main line. Since the opening of the chord they reverse and travel whence they came using the chord, crossing under the ECML using existing tracks. The journey to London King's Cross takes a little over an hour, with trains provided by London North Eastern Railway and Hull Trains In May 2009 National Express East Coast installed ticket barriers. These have since been removed however. Services Accidents and