Waiting room

In the third place, by its situation it serves only for a waiting-room, and a passage to the principal apartments, instead of being reserved, as it ought to be, for entertaining company […]

A blind bearing the monogram G.V.T. is pulled down over the waiting room window as if still in mourning for the passing of the railway.

To lovers of Victoriana it will not be necessary to enlarge on the original beauty of many [old stations], but to the modern traveller romantic nostalgia will not compensate for bleak, draughty waiting rooms, ancient sanitation, uncomfortable grimy seats and gas lighting; he is likely to prefer the comforts of a modern car on a winter's morning.

At Hanwell, two lifts have been installed along with a refurbished ticket office with accessible window. A new waiting room is being installed on Platform 2, while the one on Platform 3 is being refurbished.

"This is a particularly good example of a timber railway station, with its Royal connection giving rise to some outstanding internal and external detailing. The swan-necked iron lamps, the porte-cochère and outstanding decoration in the Royal waiting room set the station apart."