GWSR Broadway Developments

The last bit sounds very sensible. No point in rushing to spend on facilities which may or may not be justified until the actual likely level of use becomes apparent. In the meantime any space can be used for temp sales stands in connection with events and mobile catering similarly provided occasionally.

 

Thankyou for the detailed reply, an insight into more of the ongoing back and forth to get broadway just 'right', of course as there was no doorway originally the discussion of heritage is more difficult, in heritage terms when it comes to a front door canopy that was never there in the first place 'anything goes', I don't mind how the front door overhang has turned out personally, it reminds me of a goods shed cantilever which broadway goods shed has (I think). If it were me, and i think it's a good idea, drilling some recesses into those stone brackets for some hidden uplighters to highlight the overhang and the front door would look pretty good.

Another question if you don't mind, will the platform canopy have two hanging lamps that the station had when it opened in 1904/5? (As in this photograph below nabbed off disused stations.com)

 

I hope that supports are still to be added, springing from the corbels, even if they serve no structural purpose. They would make the canopy look better.

Andy

 

O/t here, but is anyone else getting random Chinese(?) text coming up on this website? Its the same on both my phone and tablet, and navigation is getting difficult now. Is old Kim Jong at work?!

 

Nothing like that here, on an Android tablet

 

I'm on to that case, thanks to a kind supporter of Broadway.
After a lot of research with a heritage specialist we have identified the type of canopy lamp that was at Broadway in 1904, our target date. It was gas fed and suspended from its own supply pipe, through the finial. The supporter is sponsoring 3 for platform 1 and one for platform 2. He is also sponsoring the six sided bigger lamp under the canopy overhang, if that gets built and if to a reasonably correct size. It would look silly to have a big lamp under a small canopy overhang, but there is a proposal on te table to achieve almost the correct length, given the limitations imposed by the too close position of the footbidge.
If the amended design is accepted, it would still have to wait for money for the overhang support columns, and the footbridge steps. I think (hope?) that an alternative design involving more RSJs to get the right spacings is no longer being discussed.

I can't think of an exterior GWR 'uplighter' of the period, I was thinking more of another canopy lamp here, but need to see what the available heights are.

 

That's good news, well done that supporter! Some very generous people have really lifted this project up with the important details they have sponsored. it's hard to describe without drawing it but i was saying get a modern waterproof spotlight and drill a recess into the top of the stone corbel for the light to sit in so the up light is hidden, then drill a hole from the inside of the building out to the corbel for the power supply then Hey presto you found a use for some otherwise out-of-place corbels that look like they were put in for that very use. Then you won't get people asking 'why are those pieces of stone sticking out the wall' and awkwardly having to tell them about the minefield of canopy political infighting on this build I have an active imagination but definitely food for thought! Can be done if you are a good D.I.Y'er

 

I am really looking forward to my first trip Racecourse to Broadway. How long before we see the first train (ideally steam) sitting in the Broadway platforms ? I was there to witness the very first test steam train into Racecourse !

 

Damn. Ok I guess it's just me then, and only when I'm logged in. Thanks.

 

I was going to suggest just that, after reading Jo's post ("corbels were sourced and added to the facade ... the RSJs were duly used, supporting a flat canopy"); add non-structural beams running up, just like the ones at Wilmcote. I reckon they would improve the look - especially as the corbels will look odd with no beams on them!

Noel

 

Indeed but jo also said that the corbels aren't very far apart and from looking at the blog pictures the shelter would need widening a bit to put some supports in, if my uplighter idea is a non-starter some fixings to attach hanging baskets to them would be a good idea, at least then they would look like they have a purpose.

 

That's very kind of FOM to sponsor them, well done!

 

You could force the issue by knocking one out before you go off to uni. Get cracking already!

 

The corbels look correctly positioned in this picture (pinched from the blog) to accommodate supports to the canopy.

Andy

 

Whilst we wait with baited breath for the decision of the Board re the Cafe, now might be a good time to review the recent past and see if in future there may be a better way forward then continual unpleasant surprises followed by infighting that have typified this build. Warning contains acronyms!

In the beginning, that is to say the eighties, the volunteers were prepared to go to incredible lengths to create Fully Authentic Buildings ( FAB). Examples are Winchcombe station and signal box. They were perhaps under less self imposed time and financial pressures, also they valued getting it right first time.

Then with the extension to Cheltenham a new breed of Commercial and Project Manager appeared. The goal of running trains as soon as possible was paramount and as far as they were concerned the built environment could be Non Authentic Fabrications ( NAF) thrown up in a hurry by contractors who didn't have a heritage bone in their bodies.

I would think that most volunteers and shareholders belong to the FAB camp whilst the NAF camp is a few directors, a few volunteers who share their aims , and virtually no shareholders because they signed up for the vision in the Prospectus which was definitely FAB.

Thankfully two developments may indicate a more peaceful co existence between the two camps.

One is that there is a new Project Manager for Broadway and hopefully he is of a less NAF mindset and more consultative. We shall see.

The second is that with the imminent opening of the extension, the financial and time pressures will ease somewhat allowing more FAB outcomes such as an Edwardian Cafe in due course.

Lastly the incredible outpouring of support for the Cafe in particular and Broadway in general, over 200 posts on various blogs, several offering 500 pounds or more, leads me to propose that a body needs to be set up to secure and preserve the future of Broadway Station, and provide an outlet for this support. Also a body that can represent the FAB point of view to Management ,with ready made fund raising capability.

Just as Minehead has FOMS, Friends of Minehead Station, surely it is time to form FOBS, Friends of Broadway Station. It could be the focus for the continuing upkeep of the station and could be funded by regular contributions from affiliated supporters. In addition it could launch specific appeals for say the footbridge steps.

If FOBS were formed it would give the lie to the NAF poltroon who proposed plastic windows for the signal box on the grounds that there would be nobody around to paint them. If FOMS takes off there will be a queue!

 

With the fantastic job made of Hayles Abbey Halt, I've often thought it would be a worthwhile exercise for that group to start at Cheltenham and proceed to Broadway, making a full report along the way on things that could/should be changed/rebuilt/modified in order to provide the most authentic GWR appearance. Once the report is complete, appeals could be made for specific items requiring attention, the aim being to give visitors the most authentic GWR experience possible. The group certainly have the right mindset for this job.


Keith

 

Can't help thinking back to the early 70's, when the furore over the looming rebuild of "Earl of Merioneth/Livingston Thompson" kicked off the Festiniog Railway Heritage Group. Originally seen by the Ffesterbahn management of the day as a pain in the proverbial, once a means of dialogue was agreed upon, much useful work resulted.

I don't know if FRHG is still active beyond Festipedia related activities, as the last change to their website home page seems to have been over a year ago and that was merely to put 2016 crimbo cards up. Unless I've missed something, if there's a new website or Facebook page, they've not gone out of their way to let anyone know.