Run-round loop for Wallingford and canopy erection set to begin
THE Cholsey & Wallingford Railway has completed the acquisition of land next to its terminus adjacent to provide space for a run round loop and the erection of the Victorian canopy from Maidenhead station.
Realignment of the fence around the land was nearing completion by volunteers when closure due to Covid-19 was announced.
The canopy components have now been fully restored, with some of the ornate supporting spandrels and other parts needing to be re-cast using other originals as patterns.
Funded by the Railway Heritage Trust, the main contractors, Green Oak Carpentry of Liss, have been appointed to erect the structure and had hoped to be on site from
May 4 with completion anticipated in July.
The canopy will span part of the run round loop with the five ornate supporting columns to the rear of the platform. The horizontal extension will appear to protect a line running to the rear of the platform where the railway’s museum, housed in a Cambrian coach body, will be sited as if standing at the platform.
When dismantled from Maidenhead to make way for the Crossrail project, only the Marlow line ran under the canopy. The erection of this historic structure is the first phase of several planned improvements at Wallingford station.