Visitors to Gloucester Station can now step back in time thanks to a stunning new model railway diorama installed in the station waiting room.
The detailed display, unveiled by the Mayor of Gloucester, recreates Gloucester station across multiple eras, spanning from the steam locomotive age of the 1880s through to the present day, celebrating 200 years of the railway.
Funded by a £1,000 grant from Great Western Railway’s Customer and Community Improvement Fund, the project took 12 people one year to complete and showcases an extraordinary level of craftsmanship and historical detail.
Visitors to the station can view miniature scenes of everyday life at the station with intricate details including customers, hand-painted signs, milk pails from the days of the dairy trains and even a roaming cat, all of which bring the station to life. A cleverly-placed mirror creates the illusion of a continuous stretch of track that travels through time, linking past and present.
GWR’s Customer and Community Improvement Fund, supports local communities and addresses areas of social need through projects which have a connection to the railway.
As part of its National Rail Contract with the Department for Transport, the train operator is committed to supporting schools, colleges, councils, communities and other not-for-profit organisations by aiding a number of initiatives.
Gloucester Model Railway Club’s Laurence Pegrum, said: “This project has been a labour of love for many of us at the club and celebrates Gloucester’s railway history and the generations of people who have worked and travelled through the station over the decades.
“It offers not only a glimpse into the evolution of rail travel, but also a vivid snapshot of community life during a defining period of British transport history.
“We hope the diorama will encourage people to get into model building and welcome people of all ages, backgrounds and skills to join us.”
Gloucester Station Manager Chloe Coglan, commented: “We’re proud to have supported this incredible piece of work by the Gloucester Model Railway Club through our Customer and Community Improvement Fund, and to welcome it to Gloucester station for all to enjoy.
“It captures the history of the station beautifully and the level of detail is so exquisite that each time you look at it you find something new; every part tells a story.
“This is a great opportunity to give our customers something unique, engaging and nostalgic to enjoy while waiting for their train.”
Image credit: GWR
