Page 215 - Reading Mercury

picturesque subjects in combination with the scenery of a railroad; and the latter is by
no means deficient upon this point, notwithstanding its linear character, acute banks,
and its abrupt change from high embankment to deep cutting. The stations, signals,
and other works on this line have been designed and built under the direction of Mr.
J.S. Wood, architect, and it must be gratifying to that gentleman to find general public
approval expressed on the completion of his labours.
The stations which have been built by him are those at Ashe, Farnborough,
Blackwater, Wokingham and Reading. In alluding to the last, it is only just to observe
that the directions were, to erect a temporary building in a brief space of time, the idea
being then entertained (and possibly still indulged) that a junction with the Great
Western would be the final result.
To construct this station piles of 24 feet in length were necessary; and it was
surmised, from the rapid sinking of the pile when struck, that the site must originally
have been the bed of a moat which might have been connected with the works of a
military character which are to be found in that locality. During the erection of the
station the embankment of the line was raised, and consequently, the bases of the
columns were covered by tipping which was continued. The station, however,
presents every convenience, which could be expected under the circumstances.
At Wokingham the station is very prettily placed and grouped with the public house
in the rear carried up in the same Gothic style, gives a pleasing effect when viewed
from the opposite side in the vicinity of the new Wokingham Union. A novel
description of fence has been introduced here, combining extreme lightness with
durability. The public house which was designed by the same architect has ten rooms,
stabling for ten horses, coach houses, carriage shed, two large lofts and man’s
sleeping room, and was built for a sum not much exceeding £800.
The improvements in the stations to which we alluded consist of their possessing an
upper story, which forms a dwelling with every requisite convenience, for the
superintendent and his family, and obviates all necessity for his absence. This is
carried out at Ashe, Blackwater and is highly beneficial in every point of view.
The Reading and Reigate Line passes beneath the South-Western line, at which
point is sometimes presented the unusual spectacle of one railway train suspended
over another. The signals on the Reigate have been constructed on the original
telegraph principle, throwing out the horizontal arm, &c. The Farnborough Station
was built under great disadvantage; at the time of the construction of the line,
possession of a convenient site could not be obtained, and a hasty erection (a fortnight
only being allowed) was made of wood, squeezed between rails and the company’s
fence.
We have reason to think that the traffic on this line will exhibit a gradual
improvement.

rd
Sat 3 Aug
TOUTLEY HALL NEAR WOKINGHAM, BERKS
th
Mr. Weeks has received instructions to sell by auction, on Tuesday, August 6 ,
1850, at two for three o’clock, at the Bush Inn, Wokingham, TOUTLEY HALL,
together with upwards of twenty-one acres of freehold, arable and meadow land
attached, and adjoining the forest Road leading from Reading to Windsor in four
lots.

1851

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