| postcards of the past |
Custom Search
| london railway stations |
| If you would like to contribute to this page, please contact us ! Postcards, memories, facts and figures - in fact anything relevant will be put on this page. |
| paddington |
There is an excellent collection of photographs of
the station provided by the GWR Steam Museum -
follow this link.
the station provided by the GWR Steam Museum -
follow this link.
| A 1913 postcard of a very busy Paddington, Platforms 1 and 2. |
Paddington has been the London terminus of the Great Western Railway and its
successors since 1838. Much of the current mainline station, designed by Brunel,
dates back to 1854. Paddington was the original western terminus of the
Metropolitan Railway, the world's first underground railway, which opened in
1863 at the Bishop's Road side of the station. The station of course today
connects directly with the London Underground.
The station was originally a temporary terminus for the Great Western Railway
when its London to Taplow service started in 1838. This original station then
became a goods yard when the main station opened in 1854. This yard has lain
derelict for many years but is now (2008) I believe, being developed with flats
and shops.
successors since 1838. Much of the current mainline station, designed by Brunel,
dates back to 1854. Paddington was the original western terminus of the
Metropolitan Railway, the world's first underground railway, which opened in
1863 at the Bishop's Road side of the station. The station of course today
connects directly with the London Underground.
The station was originally a temporary terminus for the Great Western Railway
when its London to Taplow service started in 1838. This original station then
became a goods yard when the main station opened in 1854. This yard has lain
derelict for many years but is now (2008) I believe, being developed with flats
and shops.
| Not quite so busy - Platform 1 in an undated postcard, probably a few years earlier than that above. |
The Great Western Hotel was built on Praed Street,
in front of the station, and opened on 8 June 1854.
The hotel, which was remodelled between 1936
and 1938, replaces the traditional station facade.
in front of the station, and opened on 8 June 1854.
The hotel, which was remodelled between 1936
and 1938, replaces the traditional station facade.
In September 1961 the decomposing body of a
male child was found in a case at Paddington
Station. Paper stuffed into his mouth was the
cause of death. His identity has never been
established.
male child was found in a case at Paddington
Station. Paper stuffed into his mouth was the
cause of death. His identity has never been
established.
My first visit to London was by train from
Stratford-upon-Avon - via Leamington Spa - to
Paddington in 1945.
Stratford-upon-Avon - via Leamington Spa - to
Paddington in 1945.
Memorials. There are two memorials in the station. One is a
statue of Isambard Kingdom Brunel who, amongst other
achievements, designed Paddington. The second is a memorial
to those employees of the Great Western Railway who perished
in the First World War. This bronze may be found on Platform 1.
statue of Isambard Kingdom Brunel who, amongst other
achievements, designed Paddington. The second is a memorial
to those employees of the Great Western Railway who perished
in the First World War. This bronze may be found on Platform 1.
The station has featured in many books, including
Agatha Christie's "4.50 from Paddington" (subtitled
"What Mrs McGillicuddy Saw") and of course
Michael Bond's "Paddington Bear" was named after
the station where he arrived as a stowaway from
Peru.
Agatha Christie's "4.50 from Paddington" (subtitled
"What Mrs McGillicuddy Saw") and of course
Michael Bond's "Paddington Bear" was named after
the station where he arrived as a stowaway from
Peru.
The G.W.R. had a literary society, apparently with its own rooms
at Paddington Station in 1859 and 1865.
at Paddington Station in 1859 and 1865.
| No date for this postcard. |