Frederick Banister

1846–1849: Move to Brighton, first period with the LB&SCR In light of his continuing but minor health issues, he was strongly advised by his physician to move to the South Coast of England.

1849–1859: Civil Engineer and Architect After completing the line in 1849, Banister retired from the railway to set up his own Civil Engineering and Architecture business in Brighton. Engaged mostly in works in and around the Brighton area, his most notable piece was to lay out and begin the development of the Cliftonville Estate in modern Hove, the associated waterworks (both later sold to the LB&SCR), and building of model dwellings for the labouring classes, along the lines of models set out by the Terry family of York and the Cadbury family at Bournville, Worcestershire.

1860–1896: Chief Engineer, LB&SCR After Samuel Laing retired as chairman of the LB&SCR at the end of 1855 to pursue a political career, Deputy-Chairman Leo Schuster replaced him, instituting a policy of rapidly expanding new routes throughout South London, Sussex, and East Surrey. Some of these routes were financed and built by the company itself, while others were built by independent local companies, set up with the intention of connecting their town to the growing railway network, and with the intention of sale or lease to the LB&SCR.

On the retirement of Jacomb-Hood in 1860, Schuster appointed Banister as Chief Resident Engineer to LB&SCR. While Banister's Civil Engineering and Architecture practice had been successful, he had always kept contact with the railway, undertaking sub-contract works for them where requested. Schuster resultantly accelerated the speed of mileage increase of the LB&SCR, adding a further of track between 1857 and 1865.

Major projects During his 35 years in residence as Chief Engineer, Banister was responsible for identifying and then the design, surveying and construction of all the extensions and important works to be undertaken by the LB&SCR. These included: 1862 South London line extension to : this involved the construction of of viaduct for three lines of rails; and the construction of a bow-string-girder bridge over Bacon's tannery 1862 extension of : Banister gained an Act of Parliament to enlarge further, building four more platforms in an adjoining area to the south to cope with additional traffic generated by the completion of the South London line and other suburban lines, such as the Crystal Palace line, to Victoria station. Design and engineering of the East Grinstead, Groombridge and Tunbridge Wells Railway: the extension of the Three Bridges to East Grinstead Railway to link with the SER at via , in a race with the SER. Extensions to the Wealden Line: redesign railway access to and then , before extending the Wealden Line to to link with the Three Bridges to Tunbridge Wells West line Widening of the line from Victoria to ; and the widening of the line from to Coulsdon 1876 Portsmouth extension: redesigning the existing Portsmouth Direct Line terminus at , to allow extension of the tracks to a new station at , thus giving direct connection to the company's paddle steamer services to the Isle of Wight 1877 design of the Lewes and East Grinstead Railway: including Imberhorne Viaduct, now better known as the Bluebell Railway 1880 extension of the Cuckoo Line: extension of the Cuckoo Line north from to 1881 construction of the Chichester to Midhurst railway: built to a very grand style with a double track loading gauge, despite only ever being single tracked. The stations conformed to Banister's preferred Italianate architecture style, each formed in the form of a large "Country House". and each had two platforms, while the grand Singleton was built with four platforms and long sidings for the Goodwood Racecourse traffic. Banister also extended and rebuilt in the same architectural style 1884 construction of the Oxted Line: by now having passed the regional "race" stage, the LB&SCR and the South Eastern Railway (SER) co-operated on the design and construction of the Oxted Line from to Eridge Junction on the SER's Redhill to Tonbridge Line. ; Newhaven; Seaford; Sutton;

Port of Newhaven

From 1864, under instruction from the LB&SCR, Banister designed the port and transport access system for the LB&SCR owned Newhaven docks. After guiding the required approvals through parliament, Banister personally managed the works without contractors.

Banister died at his home in Forest Row, East Sussex on 22 December 1897.

His personal copies of various architectural drawings when designing buildings for the LB&SCR are held by the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Dale Road in Purley is thought to take its name after Banister. The street was laid and built up with houses destined for LB&SCR staff shortly after his death.