1978: Steam Scene

Nesta Taylor talks about her father, FA Taylor, who was station master at Snow Hill from 1921 to 1932. She recalls how 'everybody lived for punctuality' and only royalty could be forgiven for making the train late. We hear about an encounter with Rudyard Kipling, how the luggage lift was fitted out with velvet and cushions for Queen Mary, and how her father dealt with an American soldier who was reluctant to get on the train.

There has been a station at Snow Hill since 1852. The first one was a temporary wooden structure that was rebuilt in 1872 and again in 1906, when an opulent Great Western Hotel fronted the grand booking hall and beautiful tea rooms. The station was closed down in 1972 and the buildings demolished after falling into disrepair. A new Snow Hill station was opened in 1987, but this time without the impressive hotel and tea rooms.

From the BBC Archive. Originally broadcast 9 July 1978.