Third-Class Station Buildings on the Southern Section of the Tianjin–Pukou Railway
The southern section of the Tianjin–Pukou Railway was constructed under British responsibility, and most of its third-class station buildings were erected around 1910–1911. These buildings display clear signs of standardized design. Generally modest in scale and straightforward in layout, they show a high degree of consistency in the number of bays, overall proportions, and arrangement of ancillary structures. Stations such as Xiaoxihe, Zhangbaling, and Shaheji are representative examples of this type.
As the Tianjin–Pukou Railway was double-tracked, station yards expanded, and stations relocated, most of these early buildings were demolished or taken out of service. At some stations, only rear courtyards, warehouses, and ancillary buildings survive, while a small number of former station buildings have been preserved through conversion into residential use. These remains provide valuable evidence of the standardized design and distribution of small station buildings introduced during the period of British participation in the construction of the Tianjin–Pukou Railway.
Zhangbaling Station was completed in 1910 and was similar in scale to Xiaoxihe Station. Its operational functions have since been transferred to a new station about 200 m to the southwest. The old station building was not demolished and was converted into residential housing. Photographed in November 2022.
Shaheji Station was completed in 1910 and stood on the east side of the main line. Its station building was similar in scale to that at Xiaoxihe. Railway operations were later transferred to a second-generation station on the west side of the line, and the old station building was converted into residential use. Photographed in November 2022.
Xiaoxihe Station was completed in 1910 and had a seven-bay British-style third-class station building, comparable in scale to the second-class station building at Mingguang. In 1976, the station was abandoned after the railway was rerouted via Randeng Station, which had been built in 1958. The old Xiaoxihe station building and warehouse were left within the town and subsequently converted into civilian housing. Photographed in April 2024.
Banqiao Station was completed in 1910 and stood on the north side of the main line. The main station building was demolished during expansion of the station yard, but the rear courtyard and four ancillary buildings remain well preserved. Photographed in November 2022.
Danzijie Station was completed in 1920, with its station building on the north side of the main line. The main building was demolished following relocation of the station and expansion of the station yard. Two surviving ancillary buildings were converted into residences, and a blockhouse dating from the Japanese occupation period also remains. Photographed in November 2022.
Huaqiying Station was completed in 1910 and stood on the north side of the main line. All of its operational functions were later replaced by Yongningzhen Station, built in 1958. The main station building was demolished, leaving only the rear courtyard, two ancillary buildings, and part of the original station façade. Photographed in November 2022.
Sanpu Station was completed in 1911 and stood on the west side of the main line. The main station building has been demolished, leaving only two ancillary buildings in the rear courtyard. Photographed in April 2021.
Liguo Station was the northernmost station of the southern section of the Tianjin–Pukou Railway constructed under British responsibility. Completed in 1911, its main station building was later demolished during expansion of the station yard, while the rear courtyard and two ancillary buildings remain well preserved. Photographed in April 2021.