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Environment : The History of Paddington Station : The Main Station Roof
The station opened 19 years after the Great Western Railway started operating.
The station had a 102˝ feet central roof span, covering the carriage sidings, and two side spans, 70 feet and 68 feet, covering two departure platforms. They were all 500 ft in length.
Central roof span
When the station was built the distance between each rail, called the 'Gauge', was 7 feet, this was Brunel's 'Broad Gauge'. In the 1900's 'Broad Gauge' was replaced by 'Standard Gauge'. This has the rails 4 feet 8˝ inches apart and was used by the other railway companies. It is still used today. The change was made in just one weekend.
Two other roofs cut across the main roof spans. These roofs are called 'Transepts'.
A trancept cuts across the main roof
On platform 1 at the end of the transept are 'Oriel' windows. An 'Oriel' window sticks out from a wall and does not go down to the ground.
Platform 1 - Oriel windows
The roof structure is made from iron ribs and girders supported on steel columns.
The iron ribs and girders
The steel columns and iron ribs and girders.
Pillars in the entrance from the Departures Road.
Roof span detail
The original roof covering was made from iron and glass. This was very heavy and it was replaced with light metal sheeting and polycarbonate glazing.
In 1916 a 4th roof span was added because of the number of passengers.
The station had a 102˝ feet central roof span, covering the carriage sidings, and two side spans, 70 feet and 68 feet, covering two departure platforms. They were all 500 ft in length.
Central roof span
When the station was built the distance between each rail, called the 'Gauge', was 7 feet, this was Brunel's 'Broad Gauge'. In the 1900's 'Broad Gauge' was replaced by 'Standard Gauge'. This has the rails 4 feet 8˝ inches apart and was used by the other railway companies. It is still used today. The change was made in just one weekend.
Two other roofs cut across the main roof spans. These roofs are called 'Transepts'.
A trancept cuts across the main roof
On platform 1 at the end of the transept are 'Oriel' windows. An 'Oriel' window sticks out from a wall and does not go down to the ground.
Platform 1 - Oriel windows
The roof structure is made from iron ribs and girders supported on steel columns.
The iron ribs and girders
The steel columns and iron ribs and girders.
Pillars in the entrance from the Departures Road.
Roof span detail
The original roof covering was made from iron and glass. This was very heavy and it was replaced with light metal sheeting and polycarbonate glazing.
In 1916 a 4th roof span was added because of the number of passengers.
