RAILWAY paraphernalia uncovered at a former builders’ merchant depot has been donated to the group working to restore the line at Sharpness.

Following its acquisition by housebuilder Taylor Wimpey, the building in Cheltenham, which used to be a steam depot serving the Great Western Railway, a number of artefacts reflecting its history were found.

The objects were found in one of the site’s original locomotive sheds – the only one which had now been demolished following the conversion to a builders’ merchant – and have now been donated to the Vale of Berkeley Railway Group.

Volunteer Chris Sturgeon described the items as being of ‘significant interest’ to their work to introduce a heritage railway to the Sharpness and Berkeley area.

“The old depot that Taylor Wimpey have bought used to be a steam depot for the Great Western Railway,” he said. 

“One of the original locomotive sheds at the depot was never torn down by the builders’ merchant, and turned out to be home to a number of exciting artefacts.

“When Taylor Wimpey purchased the site, they donated any artefacts that could be salvaged from the steam depot to our project.

“We found a number of items dating back to the late 1800s, which are of significant interest to us, including about 200 yards of cast iron fencing and four original Great Western Railway gates – which have the GWR crest attached onto them. 

“We also managed to recover three 30ft steel columns, which used to hold the roof of the shed up.”

As well as restoring the railway line from Sharpness Dock, the Vale of Berkeley Railway group is aiming restore a number of locomotives and buildings which served the line prior to its closure.

Added Chris: “One of the main aims of the project is to recreate everything as it once was, so having these original railway items makes a huge difference to us and will enable us to create accurate replicas of the Victorian line.”

“It is much appreciated by the railway that Taylor Wimpey have gone to the trouble of getting these artefacts to us. 

“We are trying to recover and restore as many original elements as possible to make the recreation as authentic as we can.”

Taylor Wimpey is building 107 new houses on the land off Gloucester Road in Cheltenham known as Taylor’s Yard after acquiring the site which was most recently a builders’ merchant.