GWSR Broadway Developments

I believe this is indeed the first time they've budged from their stance of having the station completed at the same time as the rest of the extension. While the financial reasons for delaying are understandable, one can't help but think that the backlash to the canopy plans might have played a part somehow, though it can't said for certain to be true or not.

Still, with the situation being what it is now, now seems to be the perfect opportunity more then ever to make opinions on the station plans louder and clearer then ever. Now we will see if folks are truly bothered, and therefore committed to see the canopy design changed to be more authentic. If not, so be it, I'll be pleased to see the extension completed either way.

 

Well it wasn't news to me. As I understand it, this was the main reason Bill resigned, the fact that the station would not be finished in time.

 

I dont think a volunteer gives up 3 years of his life to lead a project like this and then suddenly abandons it because of a delay. As Bill said in his last postings he was not the sort of bloke to throw the toys out of the pram, and having followed his blog for three years I think I and most other blog followers believe this.

What he did elude too , but was too much of a gentleman to describe, was politics. As BAG Chairman he reported to the Board and Project Manager so you may draw your own conclusions.

Certainly his resignation (13th May) followed just days after the Broadway AGM (6th May) when he had to introduce and defend the recently revealled plans of Alan Bielby (Project Manager) and Colin Fewell ( Commercial Director) who both attended a reportedly stormy meeting.

 

I'm certainly not denying that there were other reasons and that politics didn't play a part, far from it, but that is what I was told. But enough speculation about Bill's departure, things seem to be moving forward.

 

Indeed they do. It would seem that a window is perhaps opening where there is more time to consider how a GWR style roof may be built. If the Board could be convinced it is practicable, then maybe the enthusiasm that attended this project up until May may be rekindled.

I found this old picture of Broadways roof unclothed as it were, to reveal the underlying structure on the Disused Stations website.



It is clear that there is not only a lattice arch at the apex but also a lateral lattice girder above the platform. These lateral reinforcing structures allow for the wide spacing of the A frames, some 6 metres apart , and determine the visual appearance of the roof.

The present plan packs the A frames much closer together and deletes the lateral girder, so can't possibly work as an authentic visual representation of a GWR roof. Plus it is in steelwork.

So the question is could such a roof be fabricated by the Preservation Movement of today? Could a kit of parts be produced made of rivetted angle iron off site, and bolted together to make an authentic roof?

 

On the positive side of things, the web page and camera seem to be working again!

www.broadwaystation.co.uk


Dave in California

 

You refer to angle iron. Surely, you mean angle section steel. As I have mentioned previously, people need to view the roof construction on the concourse at Kidderminster station. This is typical GWR design, but welded together, not riveted.

 

I, too, have made it clear that sticking out for iron instead of steel is pointless. As for fabrication, rivetting would add cost and complication (and couldn't be done easily on site). I do hope that no-one starts pressing for welding with false rivet heads to please the rivet counters.

 

Of course I meant angle section steel not iron. Welding would seem the obvious answer. I doubt anyone at this point would ask for rivet heads!

Provided the A roof sections and Lattice Arch and Lateral Girder sections were uniform, they could be designed to bolt together with high tensile bolts, rather like a giant Meccano kit of parts.

This would leave the fixing points to the building to be determined, and could be achieved by adding structural steel lintels or a ring beam to the already present uprights, to get around the spacing problem.

 

The new blog is here.... called Broadway Station Rebuild: http://broadwaystationgroup.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/back-on-track.html

 

Agreed David. "Angle Iron" has been used as a general term meaning angle section steel OR iron for as long as I can remember.
I too cannot see why the canopy can't be constructed with a similar framework to Toddington or Henley. In fact, given that it is fairly easy to get hold of good second-hand steel of this size, the whole construction would be easily within the capabilities of the railway's own engineering departments, and could be constructed fairly cheaply. A combination of welding and bolting should produce the desired effect. Why can't management engage with us on this ?

 

Great to see the new blog up and running, as linked above. Can take the other one out of favourites now. ( the one with no posts, "the next chapter"...)

Looking foreward to a brief look-in on a Wednesday on our way back from Hidcote Gardens.

46118

 

The reason is probably terribly simple, it's likely cheaper to do it their preferred way. As I've said before though, what with the news their delaying the building's construction, now is the time to make opinions on this affair as loud and clear as possible. There's no better time then current time, so we'll see if there really is will and determination to see this authentic canopy desire fulfilled. If not, well one hopes it won't be that bad, better a canopy that looks at least a little bit heritage looking then none at all, or worse some god awful looking modern structure...

 

When I worked in engineering in the 1970's steel angle section was always referred to generically as Angle Iron - perhaps it still is?

 

YES.........finally good news.......

http://broadwaystationgroup.blogspot.co.uk/


let the fund rasing start now........


Ian H

 

Wow! It looks like we, that is everyone who supported a GWR roof, have won.

In the longer term the GWSR have won also. A true Win Win.

 

I am absolutely delighted, and would like to thank all those involved. I am very, very grateful that we were heard.
There are still some hurdles to overcome, but the way through is now open.

Brilliant ! The motivation to buy lots of shares is now there

 

Brilliant news, I wasn't all that sure it would actually happen, but it did! As already said though, now is the time to give all the money and support to this endevour that we can. We can't feel fully secure in this move till the job is actually done, so let's make sure it does so.

Doubtless some may be thinking out there why didn't they just do this in the first place, but let's bygones be bygones and focus now on the future.

On a side note, I'm betting folks out there are also thinking now "that's great, now if we could just deal with those signal boxes..."

 

That would be a relatively easy matter for many heritage railway workshops where riveting is still regularly undertaken.

 

Halleluja. Common sense at last.
What a shame that so much ill feeling had to be generated before the obvious solution could be reached.