A celebration to mark an historic engineering achievement took place at the Cardiff Bay railway station today to mark the centenary of the end of the famous Welsh railway company – the Taff Vale Railway (TVR) – and the restoration of one of its most historic buildings, the terminus.
To celebrate the history of the station and to mark the hundredth anniversary since the end of the TVR in March 1922 – when it became part of the Great Western Railway (GWR) – a plaque has been unveiled on the building. Ken Evans, Chair ICE Wales Cymru was joined by Simon Baston, Managing Director, Loftco the company behind the restoration to jointly unveil the plaque in the presence of members of ICE Wales Cymru Wales and Cardiff County Council.
Ken Evans, Chair of ICE Wales Cymru, said:
“Since 2006 ICE Wales Cymru has placed or supported 29 plaques and information panels throughout Wales – marking important historical engineering sites and commemorating famous engineers such as Trevithick, Brunel and Telford.
“This is all part of a programme to raise the general public’s awareness of our historical engineering heritage and I hope today will go some way in helping to achieve our objective”.
The terminus building, listed Grade II*, was once among Britain’s most endangered buildings after falling into disrepair. Now, a sympathetic approach to its restoration has been carried out on this historic landmark, resulting in modern office accommodation, cafe and cocktail bar.
Simon Baston, Managing Director, Loftco said:
“We’d like to thank Cardiff Council for all their assistance in bringing this historic building back into a purposeful and sustainable existence. Loft-co are pleased to have brought the building back into working life as it reflects the proud and significant achievements of this area”.
