Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Pole depot has moved from servicing Eurostar to Western electric express trains. Soon the
Western main line comes right alongside, as is shown by two spans of bridge, the smaller one
crossing the canal while the larger one on the right is over the railway. This is where Brunel
tried out his atmospheric railway system in 1840 before using it unsucessfully on the London
& Croydon Railway and in Devon.
Kensal Green cemetery on the left bank was opened in 1832. Its 23ha include three royal
mausolea. Isambard Kingdom Brunel, William Thackeray, Anthony Trollope, Wilkie Collins,
Decimus Burton and Emile Blondin are among those interred within its walls. Water gates
opening on to the towpath allowed hearse barges to be used, a most dignified way to make a
departure, in all senses of the word.
Port-a-Bella Dock was built in 1894 for rubbish barges. These days it has a Sunday market,
craft and canalside centre, offers evening canal cruises and has been used by the BBC for
filming The Apprentice .
Carlton Bridge, with its cast-iron balustrades, was built in 1870. Exactly a century later
came the elevated A40 Westway, sweeping out above the canal but not crossing at this point.
The western portal of the Crossrail tunnel is adjacent.
The canal warden's hut is incongruous in front of the Warwick Estate tower blocks.
The church of St Mary Magdalene is just incongruous. Built between 1868 and 1878, it
is in Victorian Gothic style and features a prominent red-and-white-striped spire. A wall is
brightened up by a colourful mural made from debris collected by Stowe Youth Club with
artist Kevin Herlihy.
Paddington Basin is surrounded by high-rise buildings .
The Paddington Stop public house is on the straight that leads to the former Paddington
Stop toll house, the bridge built at the turn of the last century, and some public toilets. Beyond
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