Recently appointed Vice-President to the Quainton Railway Society, who own and run the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, carried out ceremonies at the Centre’s ‘Rewley Road 160’ event on Sunday 31 July.
Roy Miller, a Founder Member of the Society, unveiled the Transport Trust Red Wheel Plaque on the outside wall of the Visitor Centre.
One of the first few such plaques in the region, the Red Wheel was awarded to the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre for the Oxford Rewley Road Station, opened in 1851 by the Buckinghamshire Railway.
The station is the sole surviving example of Joseph Paxton’s use of cast iron, timber and glass.
The award coincided with the Centre’s celebrations to commemorate the opening of the station in May 1851, and can be seen on the corner of the building by the car park.
Roy then launched the Art Exhibition inside the building, commenting that it’s great to see our members have artistic talent for depicting transport themes as well as the talent of restoring, maintaining and running the society’s extensive railway collection.
The exhibition is on show throughout August.
Many volunteers and visitors were dressed in Victorian style clothes, including about 10 members of the G.B. Veteran Cycle Club who entertained by riding around on their interesting antique machines.
Organiser of the event, Sheila Lobley, said:
“The amazing summer weather meant we could all stroll around outside, enjoying the entertainment – the Veteran Cyclists, the demonstration of a Wheeltapper checking the wheels were safe for the journeys, and the energetic volunteers powering the Pump Trolley (a la Keystone Cops!) up and down the demonstration line!”
For further information about the railway centre visit the website.
