Peru to Paddington

[Oscar46016]

Ok, so it's always bugged me - how did Paddington Bear get from Peru to Paddington Station?

If he came in a container ship he would have probably have landed somewhere on the east or south coast and then travelled to London from there.

So why isn't he called "Liverpool St" or "Waterloo"?

 

[Buzby]

His Peruvian name is too hard to pronounce, so the Browns named him Paddington. (It was also the nearest station to author Michael Bond), so got his name after being found at the station!

 

[Oscar46016]

His Peruvian name is too hard to pronounce, so the Browns named him Paddington. (It was also the nearest station to author Michael Bond), so got his name after being found at the station!

My message was in jest - I know the story of how he got his name - I was just wondering about his route - how did he get to Paddington?

Unless of course the ship he was on docked at Fishguard and he stowed away on the boat train

 

[simonw]

Paddington predates containers as itc was written in 1950s

Avonmouth docks to Paddington is one option.

But many other options available.

 

[peteb]

Maybe you're overthinking this? My first question would be how did the bear learn to talk?

 

[Oscar46016]

Maybe you're overthinking this? My first question would be how did the bear learn to talk?

Hi Aunt taught him.

 

[Oscar46016]

Paddington predates containers as itc was written in 1950s

Avonmouth docks to Paddington is one option.

But many other options available.

good Call - need to change at Temple Meads but it's viable.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I dimly recall a thread about this a couple of years ago in which one of the conclusions was Birkenhead Docks to Paddington, or something like that...

 

[JB_B]

Plymouth (and hence Paddington) would have had some transatlantic trade. See e.g. https://www.steam-museum.org.uk/object-of-the-month/january-2021/

 

[JB_B]

I dimly recall a thread about this a couple of years ago in which one of the conclusions was Birkenhead Docks to Paddington, or something like that...

You're right - it was this thread:-

If a bear from "darkest Peru" were to arrive in Britain by cargo ship in 1958, what London terminal would he end up at?

The context, if it wasn't clear: Paddington Bear was, the books allege, named after the station where the Browns found him. While "Paddington" does make for a good bear name, this never made much sense to me - my impression is that the UK's major ports are/were in the south east, which doesn't...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Buzby]

did he get to Paddington?

Rail replacement bus?

 

[randyrippley]

We've had this conversation before, within the last 2-3 years.
A lot depended on where the shipping line was based

 

[Peter Mugridge]

You're right - it was this thread:-

If a bear from "darkest Peru" were to arrive in Britain by cargo ship in 1958, what London terminal would he end up at?

The context, if it wasn't clear: Paddington Bear was, the books allege, named after the station where the Browns found him. While "Paddington" does make for a good bear name, this never made much sense to me - my impression is that the UK's major ports are/were in the south east, which doesn't...

www.railforums.co.uk

Only a year ago - not as far back as I had thought!

 

[peteb]

Hi Aunt taught him.

Of course, silly me!

 

[simonalexander05]

According to the newer Paddington film, he stowed away in a ship carrying mail to a dock in London itself, then travelled in a mail bag over tower bridge and on to Paddington station. Not quite sure the film makers thought about it in enough detail to make the route realistic though!

 

[Travelmonkey]

Still lucky he didn't get lost on the tube, Cockfosters bear would be an entirely different premise altogether,

Within filmmaking they will always take some creative liberties that 99% of viewers wouldn't bat a eye at,

 

[Gloster]

So perhaps he was taken by lorry from the docks over Tower Bridge to Mount Pleasant Sorting Office and then by the Post Office Railway to Paddington. No wonder he was confused.

 

[Mike99]

My thought is that he's not a real bear!!. I know, sorry. However he did have tea with our beloved Queen Elizabeth II, at Buckingham Palace.