Rounding the corner into Wolverton, you can’t help but be aware of the proximity of the railway, both as the high speed intercities thunder past on the right, but also on the left is one of the most amazing canal side murals you’re likely to see.
Wolverton itself, was one of the first innovative new rail towns, when in 1838, the London and Birmingham Railway Co chose the location to build a station here, Wolverton being roughly half way between the two cities. Back in the day, the station wasn’t just a ticket office and coffee kiosk, but as train travel wasn’t quite HS2, there were sumptuous facilities on site. Reading rooms and rest houses that passengers could disembark to use whilst the train was being serviced. And all that servicing required a workforce, so a whole community built up around the station. The company, now known as the London and Northwestern (LNWR) built the Wolverton Works, to build and maintain the system. It still houses the world’s oldest and longest continuously open standard gauge railway works, and it played a significant role in maintaining many military vehicles during WWII.
Nowadays the fast trains stop in Milton Keynes, and Wolverton is just a local stop. But it still remains home to the Royal train, as Queen Victoria set the trend housing her royal carriage here.
In the 1980’s, as part of the MK developement project, local artist Bill Billings was commissioned to create a mural along the Electrolux wall, celebrating local achievements. It was completed in 1986
The mural is said to be the longest in the country, its 160m long
there’s not much information about the mural online, but I can only imagine that this area of Northampton had a wealth of creativity industry and mechanical engineering skills, with an enthusiastic community to support it.
The mural suffered badly from vandalism and weather, so in 2011 a major restoration project began and we’re happy to report it still looks good today.
We didn’t stay overnight in Wolverton this time, but we were able to moor near the flats whilst I did the shopping.
The footbridge is supervised by 2 imposing sculptures also showcasing the towns heritage and progress, the railwayman is holding a Bloomer steam locomotive, which were built here at the Wolverton railway works in the 1850’s. ( nicknamed Bloomers – because they showed more of their wheels than earlier locomotives likened to the women who were wearing trousers showing more leg – as advised by American suffragette, Mrs Amelia Bloomer)
And reaching ahead showcasing the evolution of the bicycle
