Pickering Station Roof

Would you like to have your name inscribed for posterity on the back of a Broad Countess?

The final stage of our ‘Train of Thought’ project, involving the restoration of the roof over Pickering Station, will give you the opportunity to do just that!

Please give generously to support this worthwhile cause.

Roof restoration

During the winter of 2010/2011 a replica of the roof that was once over Pickering Station will be constructed. It’s quite a task and will follow the original plans of the architect, GT Andrews, who was responsible for many of the station roofs in the area, including Whitby and Beverley.

The original roof was completed in 1847, when the York & North Midland Railway built their new station at Pickering to replace the one that had served the horse drawn line from 1836. The roof design was based on that used by Robert Stephenson in the original London and Birmingham Euston terminus. Subsequently this type of light wrought iron roof construction was known as Euston Truss. The station roof was removed by British Rail in 1952 due to serious corrosion to the wrought iron members and decaying roof coverings.

Putting the roof back on the station helps to recreate the past. It also helps to give added protection to the fabric of the building so that it will last longer for generations to come.

8,700 slates needed

It will require 8,700 natural Welsh slates 500mm x 300mm in heather blue, to cover the 264 square metres of roof. They will be sourced from the Penrhyn Quarry at Bethesda.

There is actually some history to Penrhyn Quarry. From 1780 onwards this developed rapidly to become the largest slate mine in the United Kingdom and probably the world.

As the quarry evolved and the various sizes of slate were standardised, they were given aristocratic female names. No doubt influenced by the English gentry, who were bosses of the mine at that time. The names given to the slates ranged from “Empress” (26 inches x 16 inches) to “Narrow Lady” (14 inches x 7 inches). The slates to be used for the roof of Pickering Station are known as “Broad Countess” (12 inches x 20 inches).

Sponsor a slate

Help to fund this vital project by sponsoring a slate at £5 each.

In return, we will inscribe your name, or the name of someone else you choose to nominate, on the back of the slate. You will also receive a certificate confirming sponsorship.