3 feet long and 10 inches high (approx 90cm x 25cm), enamelled steel totems embellished almost every station platform between the late 1940s and the mid 1960s. Handforth station was in British Railways’ London Midland Region between 1948 and 1992, so its totems had a background of maroon enamel with superimposed white lining and lettering (see attached photographs).
Starting in 1965, all the old station name totems were replaced by more modern versions. At that time, some of the original Handforth name totems, although damaged, escaped the scrapping process and were taken into private ownership.
In February 2024, the Friends of Handforth Station (FoHS) were delighted to acquire two such totems. The first of these was presented to FoHS by Scott Dempster, in memory of local resident Mrs Jean Smith. The second totem was presented to FoHS by John Coghlan, Chair of the Handforth Model Engineering Society (HMES).
The committee of FoHS decided that it would be appropriate to have the two British railways era totems partially restored, prior to their display in the ticket office of Handforth Station.
Hugh Everett, Secretary of Handforth Station, said : ”We received quotations from experts relevant to the totem restoration process, and then started a fund-raising campaign. We were delighted to receive grants from the Railway Heritage Trust, from Frank McCarthy on behalf of Wilmslow and District Rotary, and from the Handforth Town Council “Chair’s Allowance” (from Councillor Susan Moore).”
Hugh added: “In addition, on Sunday 18th August, a joint fundraising initiative of FoHS and HMES was held in Meriton Road Park, Handforth. HMES donated all takings from that day’s miniature train rides to the totem restoration fund, for which we were very grateful.”
The two totems are now being restored, and FoHS expect to mount them inside Handforth station’s Ticket Office in October.
