On 27 July 1846 the Richmond to Waterloo Railway Line was opened. A celebration will take place at Mortlake Station on Monday 27 July 2026 at 1.00pm.

A welcome party will be arriving at Mortlake Station from Barnes Station led by the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Clare Vollum.

They will walk to the car showroom where the Deputy Mayor will make a speech. Tea and cakes will be served. This was originally Queen Victoria’s waiting room, built for her and Prince Albert as they frequented White Lodge in Richmond Park.

The first stationmaster at Mortlake was Mr Henry White. He figured prominently in the place for nearly 40 years and was universally liked not only by the inhabitants but by visitors and others with whom he came into contact. He was the same to all, civil, polite and obliging. [Rambles of Old Wagram, John Eustace Anderson, (1909).] His tombstone is in the graveyard of the nearby church at Mortlake.

On reading that you will no doubt have thought about the similar traits of the present incumbent, Daniel Opoku, who started work at the Station on 7 June 1998. Having heard of his predecessor’s longevity, Daniel plans to beat his record. He is pictured holding the Olympic Flame, which he carried in London in 2012. The Mortlake with East Sheen Society will present Daniel (pictured below) with a celebratory mug in recognition of his long service.

For station photos from 1904 see EastSheenMatters on 6 February 2026.