At the opposite end of the rail system, far greater in importance than Penzance, is London Paddington, where trains from the west and north, as well as south west, end their journeys. Being so far away, it was always intriguing what I might find there …
The tight bend of the lines out of Paddington are clear in this picture looking back into the station from the LT platforms, as a Hammersmith tube draws away westwards. In the background is a Class 31, probably either removing passenger stock or taking out a commuter service. The massive girders above support ancillary buildings and the inbound taxi road. 7####GV01-PAD-Under-PASGR
5016 “MONTGOMERY CASTLE” backs in to Paddington from servicing on 11th June 1962 prior to taking out the Paddington to Neath General relief service. It displays the requisite single left lamp on its front end for the short journey and has a high sided tender piled with coal. In the background are the roofs of the station, empty platforms, and platform awnings. 620611A06-PAD-s5016-LIG_U
A view across the platforms north eastwards at Paddington Station shows 2-6-2 Tank 6141 being watched by spotters near the end of No. 9 – the loco steaming quietly and probably riding in to withdraw passenger stock to Old Oak Common. Parcels Office and taxi road offices are at the far side of the station – the parcels warehouse being a short distance behind. 620210A01-PAD-s6141-LIGHT
Deserted platforms surround BR-built 0-6-0 pannier tank 8458 wearing a No. 2 ECS disc as it pulls stock into Platform 2 of Paddington Station on 11th June 1962. Passengers watch from the rake of Mk1s in chocolate and cream livery, beside it, and platform awnings, offices, signal box, gantry, and girders of Bishops Bridge complete the picture. 620611A05-PAD-s8458-E_C_S
A fireman trims coal on top of the tender of 6020 “KING HENRY IV” as gentle plumes of steam rise from the loco that has arrived with the 12.10pm service from Birkenhead to Paddington on 11th June 1962. Train spotters admire the loco and an array of trolleys await use behind them, but generally the platforms beside it are pretty deserted. 620611A03-PAD-s6020-PAS_U
6011 “KING JAMES I” arrives at Platform 10, Paddington Station, on 19th September 1961 with the 7:40am Birkenhead Woodside to the capital. It has a reporting code frame on its smokebox door, but no letter plates. As it oozes light steam, it is admired by a pedestrian and behind it parcel sorting is going on, with sacks and trolleys clearly visible. 610919A01-PAD-s6011-PAS_U
In two-tone green and new to traffic, Hymek D7084 waits at the end of Paddington’s Platform 3 with the down 5.55pm Paddington to Swansea on 11th June 196(2/3?). Rail enthusiasts on Platform 1 are attracted to some sight high above, and tea urns and corridor connection doors lie on the platform between them and the loco for reuse on later services. 620611A02-PAD-D7084-PAS_D
4096 “HIGHCLEVE CASTLE”, allocated, as the smokebox door ’81A’ shedplate shows, to Old Oak Common three and a half miles back down the track, has arrived at Platform 9 with the 12.05pm Hereford to Paddington on 10th February 1962. Before it is an admirer, and behind is a ‘Warship Class’ diesel in green livery, and an empty parcels area. 620210A02-PAD-s4096-PAS_U
Mailbags are being removed from the brake composite immediately behind 6835 “EASTHAM GRANGE”, recently arrived with the 1A85 1.58pm from Weston Super Mare Locking Road at Paddington on 24th June 1961. Though the stock is maroon Mk1, the curved roof ends of the carriages in the background seem to be pre-Nationalisation Hawksworth designs. 610624A01-PAD-s6835-PAS_U
The signalman is suitably impressed by the sleek and powerful bulk of 70025 “WESTERN STAR” to gaze from the window at it as it passes his Box at Paddington Station, light engine. A worthy successor to GWR Kings, it fills every inch of the loading gauge. 60###AH01-PAD-70025-PAS_D
This impressive view of GWR “Castle” locomotives and a BR ‘Standard’ class at Ranelagh yard, looking towards Paddington, is from an official photograph, showing the locos with headcode boards on their smokebox doors, ready to back down onto their designated trains after servicing. The area today is used for parking cars(!) Photo: R.C. Riley. 60###AN01-RGH-S_LCO-PARKD
D600 “ACTIVE” leaves with a passenger service from Paddington in 1958, as ex-GWR 57XX 9702 arrives with empty coaching stock. The diesel is new, but has had some service use, and of course has yet to receive a yellow warning panel on its ends. Immediately behind the locomotive are some staff buildings, a ‘parachute’ water tower and a ballast heap. 5808##A01-PAD–D600-PAS_D
A dismal inner city location does not really enhance D1054 “WESTERN GOVERNOR” , its maroon livery now grimy and exhaust-caked, parked for some reason beside the main lines out of Paddington. An ex-GWR 0-6-0 Pannier Tank steams beside it. 6####AC01-PAD-D1054-PARKD
D601 “ARK ROYAL” heads the ‘Cornish Riviera Express’ at Paddington Station on 9th September 1959. With green paintwork, chocolate and cream coaches behind, and a curved steam-age headboard, the scene is strongly reminiscent of the GWR. 580909A01-PAD—D601-PAS_D
The back of this print says D6356 is arriving at Paddington on 6th February 1965 with an express, but it is more likely to be an empty coaching stock working. Commuters waiting on the commuter platforms watch the loco run by, and behind there is the goods shed, signal box, parcels office, and girder bridge. 650206A01-PAD-D6356-PAS_U
D828 “MAGNIFICENT” awaits departure from Platform 1 at Paddington Station with a maroon stock train, in original green livery with red buffer beam. A steam loco with inside cylinders is on the track beside it, and smoke obscures the front of the station facade. A white tail lamp is on D828’s right hand bracket. 6####HG01-PAD–D828-PAS_D
This BR promotional shot features D813 “DIADEM” in green livery, leaving Paddington Station with a van train at night. Above the train is “Bishop’s Bridge”, and in the foreground, surprisingly, points levers – that you might expect to be Signal Box controlled here. 6####EK01-PAD—D813-GDS_D
With an 83D (Laira) shedplate on its buffer beam, D849 “SUPERB’ blasts exhaust against the underside of the bridge at the end of Paddington Station as it make its way towards ‘The Lawn’ at the head of the station. Trainspotters attention is drawn to something beyond the loco. 6####DW01-PAD—D8##-PAS_U
Wary of passengers near the platform edge and time, the driver of D846 “STEADFAST” leans from the cab as the engine runs through Royal Oak Station. In the left background is the stabling point building and to the right are Paddington administrative buildings of BR Western Region. 650206A01-PAD–D846-PAS_D
A typical departure from Paddington in the mid 60s as green-liveried D830 “MAJESTIC” awaits its time. I particularly wanted to see this as it might sound different from the others – having engines made by Paxman rather than Maybach – but it was not to be. 6####CU01-PAD—D830-PAS_D
In glossy maroon livery, D805 “BENBOW” sits at the head of a passenger service at Paddington Station, with a rather unusual headcode displayed. Beside it is the stantion of a huge overbridge, that provided shelter for platform-end enthusiasts when it rained. 670620A01-PAD—d805-PAS_D
Most of the spotters on the platform end of Paddington Station depicted here are taking in D804 “AVENGER” as it prepares to slip away – some young, some older, and one smartly dressed in a suit. Steam-age signals still predominate, and behind is a retaining wall of the goods yard – still in busy operation. 560206A01-PAD–D804-PAS_D
A pair of ‘Warship’s double-head a service into Paddington that looks as if it was photographed at Royal Oak. The disgraceful finish of the locomotives betrays the importance of the service, and a callous disregard for these fine machines that were regarded as ‘Castle’-equivalents, not many years previous. 680820A01-PAD–D8XX-PAS_D
Warship D803 “ALBION” in blue livery proceeds D824 “HIGHFLYER”, still in green, with a service out of Paddington, passing Royal Oak Station in August 1968. “HIGHFLYER” has a lot of brake dust caked to the area below its solebar and is dowdy when compared with its companion, its upper sides pitted with impact damage from flying debris. 6808##A02-RGH–D8XX-PAS_D
D1026 “WESTERN CENTURION” smokes away as the driver peers from the cab awaiting the “right away” for his ‘Special’ at Platform 1 of Paddington Station. Like much of the System at this time, the infrastructure is poor, but kept in reasonable shape. 6####BJ01-PAD-D10##-PAS_D
The Driver and Secondman of D1024 “WESTERN HUNTSMAN” yarn together as they await departure time with a ‘down’ passenger train at the end of Paddington Station. 1024 appears to be in fairly new green livery with small yellow warning panel. 6####BK02-PAD-D1024-PAS_D
Watched by the driver, a young trainspotter, accompanied by his friend, fingers his reflection in the paintwork of D1023 “WESTERN FUSILIER” as departure time for its passenger service from Paddington draws near. Heads protrude from Mk I carriage doors as passengers are keen, too, to get moving. 7####CU01-PAD-D1023 -PAS_D
A ‘Western’ in maroon livery, released from an inbound passenger service, enters the shadow of the overbridge as it leaves Platform 1 of Paddington Station for refueling. This view accentuates the height difference between the number and nameplate. 6####BL01-PAD-D10##-PAS_U
The cab of D1068 “WESTERN RELIANCE” is seen at Paddington from different angles accentuating its weather-worn front end, plastered with dead flies. Spans of the vault of the roof are prominent, as are the platform number signs and various vehicles. 6####BP01-PAD-D1068-PARKD
D6326 is retrieving empty coaching stock from Paddington Station. It is in its original state without headcode boxes, so it has a No. 4 pilot disc on one lamp iron. Decorating is going next to the loco, and passengers wait on benches on the next platform. 6####GR01-PAD-D6326-E_C_S
The ‘D’ prefix of “WESTERN RIFLEMAN”‘s numberplate has been painted out, and it waits at Ranelagh Bridge Stabling Point outside Paddington. The tenements behind look recently painted, and cable runs before them hang empty on the wall. 7####FA01-ROY-D1031-PARKD
These unpromising photos were saved simply for their rarety value. Towards the end of their lives, D63XXs were used on empty stock workings between Old Oak Common Carriage Sidings and Paddington Station – often in awful appearance – no credit to the railway. 6####GT01-PAD-D6358-LIGHT
With cab windows wide open, D864 “ZAMBEZI” runs into Platform 1 at Paddington Station – about to pass the Departures Signal Box which has lost its nameboard. Its front end is pitted from debris hits, rusted over, and there is oil staining down its side. 69###AH01-PAD—D864-LIG_U
Both engines of 855 “TRIUMPH” are running as it awaits departure time with a down passenger service at Paddington Station. It’s buffer heads are still largely silver – suggesting a recent outshopping from the Works – and BRUTES loaded with parcels are nearby. 7####DH01-PAD—D855-PAS_D
Light reflects off the edge of the steps from track to cab of a ‘Western’ ahead of its journey westwards from Paddington in 1969. The second man who is lounging with his elbow on the window sill, and apart from the roof line, the loco gleams in the half light. 69###AN02-PAD-D1006-PAS_I
Although a stream of water is cascading from the platform awning, the weak sun catches the windscreen of a ‘Western’ and silhouettes the second man chatting to the driver as it awaits departure. It also gleams from the windscreen surrounds and handrails. 690500A01-PAD-D10##-PAS_D
A W.R.-allocated Brush, D1655, heads a train of vans that is arriving at the Parcels Platform of Paddington Station – the second of which is freshly painted. The locomotive itself is in original two-tone green livery, with small yellow warning panels on its ends. 690515A01-PAD-D1655-GDS_U
Its exhaust bouncing back from the overbridge, D1065 “WESTERN CONSORT” rolls into Paddington Station watched by a bystander, as an underground train passes in the background. The loco’s paintwork on its battered front end has been virtually stripped off. 6908#AB01-PAD-D1065-PAS_U
A lady – presumably the photographer’s wife – stands by the door of D1037 “WESTERN EMPRESS”, that has brought in a passenger service to Paddington. One of the earliest actions by staff is to place the white lamp on the lamp iron for its run back out. 6908#AG01-PAD-D1037-PAS_U
Two whites on the position shunt signal give the OK to proceed to a ‘Western’ at the “country” end of Paddington Station westwards. Its rear end is vertically streaked with dirt and rust lies along the cab underside edge, but it is still a very impressive sight! 7####AH01-PAD-D10##-#####
Vans are parked across the front of the parcels platform at the end of Paddington Station as a Western crosses the pointwork from the Ranelagh stabling point, light engine, towards the terminus; it is followed by an inbound DMU service a couple of tracks away. The main BR building still is partially propped up from the demolition of buildings adjacent to it. 7#####AB01-PAD-D10##-LIG_U
Track workers stand clear as a ‘Western’ smokily runs towards the platforms of Paddington Station in the 1970s. Dominant behind is Enterprise House, an ex-GWR iconic railway administration building, and beyond Westbourne Terrace Bridge lies the stabling point. 7####BE01-PAD-D10##-LIG_U
The driver of a ‘Western’ running in to pick up a train at Paddington Station leans from the rear cab as it approaches rather fast. Behind it are the Metropolitan tracks and the huge goods shed, covering several acres, bearing a yellow National Carriers sign. 7####BN01-PAD-D10##-LIG_U
Before a grimy Paddington Arrival Signal Box waits D1724 in 1968 with an outbound passenger service. It is in two tone green livery; has lost the builder’s plate from the near cab side; displays the red Route Availability dot, and has a W.R. “W” under its number. 68###AD01-PAD-D1724-PAS_D
Though slightly marred with exhaust staining, the prototype HST, shiny and glinting reflected light, is in virtually pristine condition as it rolls into the platforms at Paddington Station. Behind it is the Goods Depot and Westbourne Road Bridge – before it are the tracks on the departure side of the station – similarly shining in the diminishing light. 7####FV01-PAD-2~001-PAS_U
D1034 “WESTERN DRAGOON” and the prototype High Speed Train set are side by side at Paddington Station awaiting departure. I didn’t see 252001 until it was in preservation, though it did once visit Penzance. The normal station parcel traffic goes on around them. 7####BZ01-PAD-D1034-PAS_D
Brush Type 4 No. 1707 waits with a down service beside a Pullman unit at Paddington Station in 1972 – some sort of flat-bed truck is before the latter, blocking its exit. I always thought the reverse of the BR blue colour scheme entirely appropriate for these units – visually they were very attractive industrial design. 72###AF01-PAD-DLOCO-PAS_D
With both engines blasting away smokily, a ‘Western’ slowly draws away from Paddington Station as a ‘spotter is lost in his own thoughts, gazing at the loco’s numberplate, shedcode and RA panel. Such embellishments did give a certain “mystique” to it. 7510#AB01-PAD-D10##-PAS_D
30th August 1975 finds a packed Ranelagh Bridge stabling point, including four 47s, at least one Class 50 and Westerns D1030 “MUSKETEER and D1025 “GUARDSMAN”. In the background is the ex-GWR water tower, and a fuel pump nestles one of the lamp standards. Photo: Malcolm Arnold 750830A01-RNH-D_LCO-PARKD
Despite its headcode suggesting otherwise, D7023 is seen having just left Paddington with a packed commuter services passing Ranelagh Bridge refueling/stabling point opposite Royal Oak Tube on 2nd August 1972. It gets a wave from a worker next to the adjacent building as it passes by. 720802A01-RGH-D7023-PAS_D
47484 ‘ISAMBARD KINGDOM BRUNEL’, bearing the second longest nameplate on a British Rail loco, fittingly waits at Paddington on 26th February 1977 heading a down passenger service. Brunel was the driving force behind the Great Western Railway and the architect of this station – noteworthy legacies of a very remarkable man. 770226A01-PAD-47484-PAS_D
Typical of Paddington in the late Seventies are a Class 31 on ECS duties, running back to Old Oak Common, and a Class 50 smoking away before the signal box prior to its visit to Raneleigh or OOC for refuelling. The 50 has been named, and by now its class is performing well, with the teething problems of their unfamiliarity to the WR behind them. 7903#A02-PAD-LOCOS-LIGHT
On the first day of regular service, 252001 arrives at Paddington Station, surrounded by the curious to see or travel on this new, shiny train. It is finished in the Pullman livery, with broad horizontal stripes at cantrail height distinguishing first from standard class and catering cars, and the front and rear ends show the unique positioning of the warning lights. 750505A00-PAD-2~001-PASGR
Between the ex-GWR parcel offices on the left and goods terminal on the right 253021 threads its way across the pointwork towards Paddington Station. Its markers and spotlight add to those on the red awning above a train of parcel vans as the evening sets in. 801222C02-PAD-253XX-PAS_U
Sunlight gleams from the front ends of two HST sets at Paddington station in this well composed shot of the arrivals in 1982 – on the left is 253040, and the other 253007. The plain tarmac surface of the platforms leave much to be desired and the glossy locomotives contrast nicely with their mundane backgrounds. 821230A01-PAD-2~XXX-PASGR
The Eric Curnow Collection 