Bringing historic canopies back to life

10 Aug 2022

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Amey’s Rail team have been bringing historic canopies back to their former glory at Wellingborough and Kettering train stations, for all to enjoy.

The heritage canopy works were part of Network Rail’s London to Corby (L2C) Midlands Main Line (MML) Electronification programme, which saw canopy refurbishment works take place at two stations that started back in 2019.

Both Wellingborough and Kettering train stations had different approaches to undertaking the works which was driven by access to the canopies and the quantity of work that needed to be refurbished.

At Wellingborough station – where the heritage canopy is limited to six bays on one platform – the team decided to take the canopy down and have all the repairs, which included the shock blasting of the components and painting, done off site. Whereas, at Kettering, where the canopy consists of 55 bays over four platforms, the team were able to complete the majority of the works whilst the canopy components remained in situ.

Iain Boyes, Amey’s Principal Project Manager for Rail, said: “I’m delighted to see the canopies both at Wellingborough and Kettering train stations now completed and being enjoyed once again by passengers passing through.

“Working on Grade 2 listed structures brings with it many challenges. One of the biggest challenges we faced was the foundry that was used to replicate the moulds and cast the canopy components. We certainly learnt lessons on how to manage 19th century manufacturing technics during the three-year project period and look forward in undertaking similar projects in the future.”

“It has been a collaborative programme of works, involving a number of expertise. I’m incredibly proud of what the team has achieved and honoured to have brought back to life pieces of history.”

Heritage works on the stations were not just limited to canopies. Other works included: refurbishment of the Grade 2 listed Wellingborough goods shed; heritage brackets on the building to ensure all light fittings matched the old lamps; installation of new seating and handrails on the platform extensions – all in line with heritage colour schemes.

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