Freight Handling Docks of the 1950s to 1960s - Info Required

I am trying to determine whether my general merchandise dockside surface (1950s - 1960s) should be cobblestone, tarmac or concrete.

Although old photographs can easily show cobble stones, it is impossible to determine whether a plain surface is weathered concrete or faded tarmac, an example is :-

https://shop.memorylane.co.uk/mirror/0000to0099-00040/freight-loaded-ocean-liner-train-21311782.html

Where the main surface appears smooth and the dock edges are stone blocks.

Can anyone advise me, as I keep dithering between cobblestones which are very much in evidence in the old Liverpool docks of the c1950s and a smooth surface, but what material?

Jim

 

Thanks Brian, moving cast iron wheeled barrows and carts over cobbles must have been hard work, I suspect tarmac may not have been hard wearing enough, Jim