Cholsey & Wallingford ‘steps up a league’ with Brunel canopy opening
THE Cholsey & Wallingford Railway's new showpiece terminus canopy – originally erected at Maidenhead in the days of Brunel's GWR broad gauge – has been officially opened by Network Rail chairman Sir Peter Hendy.
The ceremony at Wallingford on June 25 saw TV presenter Tim Dunn unveil the information boards, with GWR pannier No. 4612 on loan from the Bodmin & Wenford Railway taking guests beneath the canopy.
The late Sir William McAlpine, then chairman of the Railway Heritage Trust, was particularly keen to see this Victorian structure restored, and it was fitting that Lady Judy McAlpine was present to see the finished structure.
She said: “Sir William was very interested… I recall only too well his fury when it was found to be cut up!
“We came to have a look at progress shortly before he went into hospital, and I would love him to know it is now up and looking beautiful.”
After conversion from broad to standard gauge, the overarching canopy protected Maidenhead's platform 5 and the horizontal extension platform 4.
It arrived at Wallingford in late 2014 and had been extensively damaged during removal – at least one of each spandrel type was broken, only three of the four columns were useable, and many cast components were broken or missing. The wooden panels had been cut with a chainsaw and some sections were missing.
Very few of the original dagger boards survived, although enough of the graduated originals from the end section survived to make measurements to recreate the correct curvature. No dagger boards from the horizontal extension survived and so several photographs were analysed to ensure both the pattern and length were correct.
Photographs were also used to gain a better knowledge of the position and design of the adjustable tie bars across the roof that supported the horizontal extension.
Paint matched
Paint scrapings were taken from numerous locations from the wood and cast metal and analysed by microscopy – in places there were at least 34 coats of paint!
The colour was decided on after consultation with known GWR experts, referencing black-and-white photographs from the early 20th century, and so GWR Stone 1 and 3 have been used extensively.
Restored and rebuilt, the canopy now covers two standard gauge tracks with the ornate columns at the rear of a platform and the horizontal extension protecting a Cambrian Railways coach body that serves as a museum, and it has been placed so it appears to be standing at a bay platform.
CWR chairman Dr Tony Stead thanked the Railway Heritage Trust for the substantial grant that allowed the canopy to be restored and erected.
With his interest in railway architecture, Tim Dunn spoke of the importance of preserving the best features of railway architecture, and Sir Peter expressed his satisfaction in seeing an important part of the Victorian railways preserved for all to enjoy. “This ceremony is also a tribute to the efforts of the CWR volunteers for the many improvements to the railway over the last 18 months. With the other developments planned, it bodes well for its future,” he said.
CWR president Mark Hopwood said the canopy looked a lot better now than at any time in the period when he was area manager with Maidenhead part of his territory.
Vice-president Lord Bradshaw, who too was an area manager with responsibility for Maidenhead, said: “The work you have done on the canopy and new station is truly amazing and you have moved up a whole league in the railway preservation world.”