GWSR Broadway Developments

Just trying to help Grumpy gramps. In the spirit of co-operation with the new regime of decorators at Broadway here is the poster.

 

Ooooh, do you have that in double royal?

 

Could you not use period glue ?

 

Just in case you have forgotten how to make quick, non smelly, glue:- These are tried and tested and of course old time methods.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Glue

 

Apologies if you already know this but the Broadway Station driveway is shared with at least 2 other properties, none of which are now anything to do with the Railway. So the requirement to surface the driveway in a relatively modern surface may well be due to a joint decision with the owners of the other properties. I can't confirm this of course. When built, the driveway was gravel which would have found its way into every corner of the station and would also erode more quickly. It would need to be added to regularly and a little man would be needed to rake it over regularly.

 

That looks really good in my opinion and doesn't look out of place at all to me. However, I don't know what a refreshment room in a GWR station looked like in Edwardian times but I guess there could well be some photographic evidence around. Anyway, for what it's worth, I like it and I do hope they put a couple more loco nameplates up.

 

Pasting posters during WW2.

 

Memories......

 

Is that the nameplate, or the tennis player?

 

Lots of activity (at the moment anyway) on Broadway Stn platform from the webcam. https://www.ipcamlive.com/5c110176abcb9
It looks as if more work is being done on the footbridge steps.
I'm looking forward to visiting again this year. Before we all get a little "het up" about stuff going on walls, it would be good to recall that, this time last year the station at Broadway was the subject of really intense activity so that it would have any chance of being open to the public.

 

Indeed, and Breva and colleagues have much to be proud of. That doesn't make the "nameplate" any less inappropriate, though.

 

Why is it inappropriate? I'm not being awkward, I honestly don't understand why. Broadway Station never had a refreshment room in GWR and BR days so it's "inappropriate" to have one now. It has one because there's a 21st Century demand for it. It does look very "period" though. In trying to answer my own question, I would guess that a locomotive nameplate, replica or otherwise, would never find its way to a small country station refreshment room and, I guess, there would be an advertisement for washing powder or chocolate or a GWR resort hotel maybe. Still, I like the nameplate anyway! I guess if enough folk object to it, the GWSR could remove it and auction it. I would certainly put in a bid!

The GWSR opens again on Saturday 9 March. (Just sayin!)

 

Many structures on many preserved railways are inauthentic inasmuch as they were absent when the lines were part of the national network, but they have been carefully designed to resemble what might have been; not pastiche but as accurate as possible, while providing required modern facilities. The Broadway refreshment room fits that model very well, and will fit even better after a few detail changes, such as replacement of the white mains outlets.

Some of us feel that the "nameplate" is inappropriate where it is, both inherently and because it is incompatible with the desired picture rail. On the other hand someone went to some trouble to make it, so it certainly should not be wasted. Auctioning it seems a good idea (though I personally would not be bidding). Or could it simply be displayed somewhere else around the station, perhaps at the bottom of the drive?

 

But it isn't even a "nameplate" - it's a nameplate-shaped object with "Broadway" written on it. There has never been a GWR locomotive with that name, so this is totally false, not just inauthentic, and IMHO downright misleading.

 

If it hasn't already been done, it might be worthwhile for the GWSR to have a general article in their house magazine explaining the difference between authentic recreation/immersion, and pastiche, perhaps referencing the Black Country Museum. I know from my own experience at Didcot that not everyone 'gets' it, the engine shed in particular often still being viewed as having a linear progression, so when a 1930's door-closer breaks, it's simply replaced with a modern one. It doesn't hurt to try and educate.

As for Broadway, I'll be travelling there next month, so I'll be able to judge the results, and food, myself!

 

I can't see why anyone should want to buy it at auction as it has no inherent value - is it a "proper repro", such as those produced by Procast, or is it a wooden replica?

 

Many thanks for your reply. I think you've answered my question very well and confirmed my thoughts. There was a GWR locomotive named "Pershore Plum" which might be a better choice, but as you say, in a different location on the Railway.

 

Agreed. If it said " Home Sweet Home" it would have the same provenance.

However lets be constructive. Someone mentioned an auction. Perhaps the the funds could go towards the picture rail, as promised by the Chairman, that will be feasible once this is removed. The plate could then be donated to and displayed inside the Bric a Brac Store to raise further funds.

I'll start the bidding at £25 do I hear £35?

 

Now there's someone who puts his money where his mouth is.
Not familiar with Broadway, Worcestershire, ( I do believe I cycled through it just after WW2) but this photo shows another interesting Broadway, it also has a famous song about it.

 

It's a brass one, bought at great expense by one of the volunteers. (not the canopy gang, I might add). I very much doubt if he will want to auction it off, having just paid for it.