Stuffed Victorian dog returns to train station home

An iconic stuffed dog has been lovingly restored and returned to the train station platform which has been his home for more than a century.

Station Jim was born in 1894 and arrived at Slough as a three-month-old mongrel puppy, where he would collect donations for Great Western Railway (GWR) widows and orphans.

Following his death in 1896, the beloved Victorian mascot was preserved, along with his collection box, and he was put on display at platform 5 in Slough Railway Station.

The taxidermy pooch was recently removed for some much-needed TLC but has now returned in all his glory.

The restoration was a team effort by GWR, Museums Partnership Reading, Arts Council England and the Aldama Foundation, which helps conservation projects.

Conservator Simon Moore said he gave Station Jim a "considerable makeover" after he spotted damage to areas including his fur, eyes and claws.

"It feels really good [to have restored Jim] because not many stations have a feature like this which is really charming and a nice story with it as well," he added.

Anna Jones, programme manager for Museums Partnership Reading, said Jim is "a bit of a railway legend".

She said he was placed in a new cabinet after having dust removed, and his fur, nose and claws treated.

"He will hopefully be preserved and be on the platform for at least another 100 years," she said.