As I write this, the media is writing about Andy Byford’s leaving his position of TfL Commissioner. That somehow makes this tribute at Paddington to the late Queen all the more poignant because getting Crossrail (aka the Elizabeth Line) opened was one of Byford’s main objectives and very surprisingly the Queen also officiated in the opening of the new Elizabeth Line despite health fears at the time.
The opening plaque at Paddington Elizabeth Line station was obviously a place of focus for remembering the late Queen, and again it was Andy Byford who set that in motion when he placed a set of flowers and a card at the plaque on 15th September 2022. This move no doubt officiated the site as a place of remembrance for the Queen and in turn others too brought flowers and messages of condolence.
Pictures of place of remembrance at Paddington Elizabeth Line are shown next. These pictures are a mix of both those from social media and some I took over the four days prior to the State Funeral – as well as some on the days after. We start with Andy Byford’s contribution which was the very first to be placed here.
Andy Byford’s condolences (made on behalf of all of TfL) just after it was placed at the Elizabeth Line opening plaque on 15th September 2022. Source: Twitter.
The full text of the condolence message from TfL Commissioner Andy Byford. (Source: London Rail Blog.)
The next day (16th September) two other sets of flowers had been laid, one of these was from the Elzabeth Line’s drivers. Source: Twitter.
Message from the Elizabeth Line drivers. (Source: London Rail Blog.)
On the day before the State Funeral itself this was how things looked. The baseball cap, kitchen roll and what seems to be a bib were clearly deemed not suitable mementoes thus removed. Source: Twitter.
On the day of the State Funeral. (Source: London Rail Blog.)
How the floral tribute array finally looked the day after the State Funeral. (Source: London Rail Blog.)
How the floral tribute array finally looked the day after the State Funeral. (Source: London Rail Blog.)
Commuters on the first normal day of the week passing the floral tribute (the Monday was a Bank Holiday) given that services out of Paddington (both GWR and Elizabeth Line) were still causing many people woes – especially after services were suspended entirely on the day of the State Funeral due to damaged OHLE at Hayes. (Source: London Rail Blog.)
The display on 22 September 2022 and its been tided up somewhat. Evidently as long as the flowers look heathy it’ll stay a few more days. (Source: London Rail Blog.)
