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Paddington Station Collection

Paddington Station, located in the heart of London, holds a rich history within its walls

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: Paddington Station. Great Western Railway. Alterations - Details of End Screen

Paddington Station. Great Western Railway. Alterations - Details of End Screen

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: GWR Refreshment Department Platform Trolley, May 1937

GWR Refreshment Department Platform Trolley, May 1937
A GWR Refreshment Department platform trolley at Paddington station in London, May 1937. A woman is viewing the refreshments available from the trolley

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: Quick Lunch and Snack Bar at Paddington Station, 1936

Quick Lunch and Snack Bar at Paddington Station, 1936
An interior view of Paddington station showing a busy snack bar, which probably opened soon after the modernisation of the station in the 1930s

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: Platform 1 at Paddington Station, 1929

Platform 1 at Paddington Station, 1929
A view of Platform 1 at Paddington Station, London, August 1929. This image shows crowds gathered on the platform with the glass roof above, and station clock and various advertisements on the left

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: Class 52 Western Diesel Locomotive at Paddington Station

Class 52 Western Diesel Locomotive at Paddington Station
A view of a Class 52 Western Diesel Locomotive at Paddington Station, c.1960s, showing passengers on platform. The Westerns were built in the early 1960s at Swindon and Crewe

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: Two little girls awaiting evacuation from Paddington Station, September 1939

Two little girls awaiting evacuation from Paddington Station, September 1939
Part of the evacuation of London during WW2

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: The last broad gauge train leaving Paddington Station, 20th May 1892

The last broad gauge train leaving Paddington Station, 20th May 1892
A posed image of the last broad gauge train leaving Paddington station on 20th May 1892. The service is the 5pm to Plymouth, and the locomotive is Bulkeley (named after Captain Bulkeley)

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: Paddington Station. Great Western Railway. New Office Block Arrival Side Number 9

Paddington Station. Great Western Railway. New Office Block Arrival Side Number 9

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: Paddington Station. Great Western Railway. Alterations - Details of New Main Roof

Paddington Station. Great Western Railway. Alterations - Details of New Main Roof

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: No. 111, The Great Bear at Paddington Station, c. 1910

No. 111, The Great Bear at Paddington Station, c. 1910
An image of the No 111 4-6-2 Pacific Locomotive, The Great Bear, in steam at Paddington station in c.1910. It was built in 1908 and withdrawn in 1924 and rebuilt as 4-6-0 Viscount Churchill

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: Paddington Station, 1913

Paddington Station, 1913
Passengers board Windsor Royal Garden Party trains on Platforms 4 and 5 at Paddington Station in 1913. The County of Wilts locomotive can be see to the left of the image

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: Refreshments at Paddington Station, c. 1920

Refreshments at Paddington Station, c. 1920
A refreshment porter hands a first class passenger a luncheon basket through the window of a carriage while stationary at Paddington station, c.1920

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: 1852 Paddington Station (New). 17 March 1852

1852 Paddington Station (New). 17 March 1852

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: The Great Western Royal Hotel, Paddington, 1902

The Great Western Royal Hotel, Paddington, 1902
A view of The Great Western Royal Hotel at Paddington station in London, c.1902, seen here elaborately decorated for the coronation of King Edward VII

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: New Paddington Station. Great Western Railway. Diagonal and Segmental Ribs for 102 6

New Paddington Station. Great Western Railway. Diagonal and Segmental Ribs for 102 6" and 68 0 Transcepts

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: Paddington Station. Great Western Railway. New Office Block Arrival Side Number 1

Paddington Station. Great Western Railway. New Office Block Arrival Side Number 1

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: Air Raid damage to Paddington Station, 1941

Air Raid damage to Paddington Station, 1941
A view of Paddington Station following the explosion of the parachute mine on the 17th April 1941. Showing the internal damage to the station, particularly to Platform 1

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: King George V and an Intercity 125 at Paddington Station, 1971

King George V and an Intercity 125 at Paddington Station, 1971
An image where two eras of the railway meet; the King George V locomotive and an Intercity 125 are seen here at Paddington Station, London in 1971

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: LONDON: MODEL, 1951. Fashion model Lisa Fonssagrives at Paddington Station, London, England

LONDON: MODEL, 1951. Fashion model Lisa Fonssagrives at Paddington Station, London, England. Photographed by Toni Frissell, 1951

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: Paddington Station, London, c. 1910

Paddington Station, London, c. 1910
An overall view of Paddington Station, showing Platforms 1 and 2 and the wrought ironwork of the roof spans

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: Bishops Road (Bishops Mews), Paddington, 1929

Bishops Road (Bishops Mews), Paddington, 1929
The Great Western Railway acquired this property, containing garages, prior to development in 1930. The street was eventually demolished to make way for the new parcels depot development

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: Hairdressing Salon, Paddington Station, c. 1904

Hairdressing Salon, Paddington Station, c. 1904
This hairdressing salon was situated below Platform 1 at Paddington Station. By the rows of bottles, presumably shampoo and aftershave, this was probably the male salon or barbers

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: Confectionary Kiosk, Paddington Station, 1937

Confectionary Kiosk, Paddington Station, 1937
This large kiosk was based in The Lawn and served confectionary, cigarettes and newspapers to passengers at Paddington station in 1930s

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: Horse Drawn Delivery Wagon at Paddington Mint Stables, c. 1910

Horse Drawn Delivery Wagon at Paddington Mint Stables, c. 1910
An image of a horse drawn delivery wagon at Paddington Mint Stables, c.1910. A team of four dray horses are preparing to pull the GWR cart and deliver a range of goods carried in barrels and bundles

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: First Class Waiting Room at Paddington Station, 1912

First Class Waiting Room at Paddington Station, 1912
First Class passengers were able to wait for their trains in the comfort of this waiting room at Paddington station in the early 20th century

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: Rebuilding work at Paddington Station, 1916

Rebuilding work at Paddington Station, 1916
Work began in 1913 to construct a new roof span for the Station. This image was taken in 1916 when the work was quite far progressed

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: Evacuees waiting to leave Paddington Station, 1939

Evacuees waiting to leave Paddington Station, 1939
This image shows eight young boys and girls about to leave London as evacuees to the countryside. Although the images shows them laughing it must have been a daunting experience for them

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: Pediment of the Great Western Royal Hotel, Paddington, 1854. Creator: Unknown

Pediment of the Great Western Royal Hotel, Paddington, 1854. Creator: Unknown
Pediment of the Great Western Royal Hotel, Paddington, [London], 1854. Sculpture on the magnificent hotel lately erected at the Paddington terminus of the Great Western Railway...the sumptuous style

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: HST Class 253 locomotive No. 041 at Platform 1, Paddington Station in the 1980s

HST Class 253 locomotive No. 041 at Platform 1, Paddington Station in the 1980s
High Speed Train (HST) Class 253 locomotive No. 041 waiting at Platform 1, Paddington Station in the 1980s. The Intercity 125 HST was introduced in 1976 and was built by British Rail Engineering Ltd

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: Christmas decorations at Paddington Station, 1956

Christmas decorations at Paddington Station, 1956
The Lawn at Paddington Station is decorated for Christmas in this view from 1956. A Santas Grotto is in the centre of The Lawn raising money for the Greater London Fund for the Blind

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: Paddington Station, London, England, UK

Paddington Station, London, England, UK

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: Wartime recruiting posters at Paddington Station, 1915

Wartime recruiting posters at Paddington Station, 1915
Recruiting posters were a popular way of encouraging men to enlist. Millions of posters were produced and displayed up and down the country during the war

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: UK, England, London, Elizabeth Line, Paddington Station

UK, England, London, Elizabeth Line, Paddington Station

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: Porters at Paddington Station, c. 1914

Porters at Paddington Station, c. 1914
Three porters pose proudly at Paddington Station, London, c.1914. They are stood in front of some advertising boards displaying various GWR posters

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: Plan of Passenger Lift at Paddington Station

Plan of Passenger Lift at Paddington Station
Colour plan of a passenger lift at Paddington Station with notes indicating the use of mahogany in the construction

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: Isambard Kingdom Brunel sketch: port cranes at Paddington Station, 1851

Isambard Kingdom Brunel sketch: port cranes at Paddington Station, 1851. Image used by Courtesy of the Brunel Institute - a collaboration of the SS Great Britain Trust and the University of Bristol

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: Isambard Kingdom Brunel sketch: designs for the interior of Paddington Station, 1851

Isambard Kingdom Brunel sketch: designs for the interior of Paddington Station, 1851
Isambard Kingdom Brunel sketch: designs for the interior of Paddington Station. Including roof span and columns. 1851. Image used by Courtesy of the Brunel Institute - a collaboration of the SS Great

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: Isambard Kingdom Brunel sketch: interior vault of roof at Paddington Station, 1850

Isambard Kingdom Brunel sketch: interior vault of roof at Paddington Station, 1850. Image used by Courtesy of the Brunel Institute - a collaboration of the SS Great Britain Trust

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: Isambard Kingdom Brunel sketch: Paddington Goods Shed, 1849

Isambard Kingdom Brunel sketch: Paddington Goods Shed, 1849. Four cross sections showing different arrangements for the roof of the railway engine shed, showing an arched roof, and a pointed roof

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: Arrival of Neapolitan Exiles at Paddington Station (engraving)

Arrival of Neapolitan Exiles at Paddington Station (engraving)
1609864 Arrival of Neapolitan Exiles at Paddington Station (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Arrival of Neapolitan Exiles at Paddington Station)

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: Entrance to Offices, Paddington Station (engraving)

Entrance to Offices, Paddington Station (engraving)
5204459 Entrance to Offices, Paddington Station (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Entrance to Offices, Paddington Station)

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: Paddington Station (colour photo)

Paddington Station (colour photo)
3094716 Paddington Station (colour photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Paddington Station)

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: The arrival at the Paddington Station (engraving)

The arrival at the Paddington Station (engraving)
2808422 The arrival at the Paddington Station (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The arrival at the Paddington Station)

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: The Welcome to Our Citizen Soldiers (b / w photo)

The Welcome to Our Citizen Soldiers (b / w photo)
1600322 The Welcome to Our Citizen Soldiers (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Welcome to Our Citizen Soldiers)

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: The Prince of Wales welcoming Lord Kitchener at Paddington Station (litho)

The Prince of Wales welcoming Lord Kitchener at Paddington Station (litho)
1040574 The Prince of Wales welcoming Lord Kitchener at Paddington Station (litho) by Hatherell, William (1855-1928) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: The Home-Coming of Dr Jamesons Men (engraving)

The Home-Coming of Dr Jamesons Men (engraving)
1041972 The Home-Coming of Dr Jamesons Men (engraving) by Staniland, Charles J. (1838-1916) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Home-Coming of Dr Jamesons Men)

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: The Dynamite Plots to destroy the London Railway Stations, the Infernal Machines (engraving)

The Dynamite Plots to destroy the London Railway Stations, the Infernal Machines (engraving)
1061494 The Dynamite Plots to destroy the London Railway Stations, the Infernal Machines (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imagePaddington Station Collection: Paddington Station (b / w photo)

Paddington Station (b / w photo)
2803263 Paddington Station (b/w photo) by English photographer, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Paddington Station. Illustration for Pictorial London (Cassell, c 1905)




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Paddington Station, located in the heart of London, holds a rich history within its walls. As the main terminus for the Great Western Railway, it has witnessed numerous alterations and developments over the years. From the bustling GWR Refreshment Department Platform Trolley in May 1937 to the vibrant Quick Lunch and Snack Bar in 1936, this station has always catered to weary travelers. Looking back at old photographs, one can catch a glimpse of Platform 1 at Paddington Station in 1929. The hustle and bustle of passengers rushing to catch their trains is evident even then. And who could forget the iconic Class 52 Western Diesel Locomotive that once graced these tracks? But Paddington Station's history goes beyond just locomotives and platforms; it also holds sentimental value. On that fateful day on May 20th, 1892, when the last broad gauge train departed from here forever - an end of an era captured forever in time. No discussion about Paddington Station would be complete without mentioning No. 111, The Great Bear - a magnificent sight that stood tall amidst this bustling hub around c. 1910. Yet amidst all these grand moments lies tales of human emotion too – like two little girls anxiously awaiting evacuation from Paddington Station during September 1939 as war loomed overhead. Through vintage snapshots like those taken in 1913 or c. 1920 showcasing refreshments being served with care and dedication by staff members who understood weary travelers' needs – we get transported back to simpler times where good service was paramount. And let us not forget how it all began – with the opening of New Paddington Station on March 17th, 1852 - marking a new chapter for rail travel across Britain. Lastly, adjacent to this historic transportation hub stands The Great Western Royal Hotel since1902- providing comfort and luxury for those seeking respite after long journeys.