A celebration of Gloucester’s 200 years of railway history is underway through an evocative exhibition. Entitled Beyond the Platform, the exhibition is a poignant and informative display shedding light on the profound impact of railways on lives, careers, and neighborhoods over the years.
Curated by the Gloucestershire Community Rail Partnership (GCRP), the exhibition delves into the concealed railway histories in Gloucester using a captivating blend of photography, community narratives, and creative artwork. Held at Gloucestershire Archives and Gloucester station, Beyond the Platform aims to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the national railway. In addition, it emphasizes the often overlooked contributions of South Asian and Caribbean communities in shaping the UK’s rail industry.
The exhibition has resonated with visitors, with many expressing surprise at the discovery of long-forgotten stations and track lines beneath familiar locales. As one attendee remarked, “It’s incredible to think how different things used to be, walking past this church every day without knowing there was once a station here.”
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Collaborating with local artists, Gloucestershire Archives, the University of Gloucestershire, and organizations like All Nations, GCRP hosted community workshops and pop-up events to collect personal stories and foster intergenerational dialogues. Notably, a young member from the local community actively contributed to the project, gaining valuable skills and experience in storytelling and archival exploration while collaborating with other organizations.
Hannah McDonnell, Executive Director of GCRP, emphasized that Beyond the Platform is not just about reflecting on the past but also about reconnecting communities with their history and inspiring new generations to recognize the railway’s role as a place of belonging and change.
The visually compelling exhibition juxtaposes historical and contemporary photographs of Gloucester’s railways, accompanied by personal reflections and video footage captured during the project’s duration.
Acknowledging the profound contributions of underrepresented communities to the railways, Emma Morris, Senior Community Impact Manager for Great Western Railway (GWR), underscored the need to celebrate these voices and histories during the Railway 200 celebrations.
Included in the wider Railway 200 program, the exhibition will be on display at Gloucestershire Archives and Gloucester, Stonehouse, Stroud, and Cam & Dursley stations for the next three months. In addition, a series of short films and audio stories will be made available for online viewing and shared on social media platforms for broader access.
This initiative, supported by Together Gloucester and GWR, in collaboration with All Nations, Gloucestershire Archives, and other local partners, aims to continue engaging young people and underrepresented groups, utilizing railway heritage to inspire, create opportunities, and foster connections - particularly in the realms of education, nature, and employment.
The exhibition is scheduled to run until July 14, 2025, offering a compelling journey through Gloucester’s rich railway history.