Background
George Alexander Troup was born on 25 October 1863 in London, England, the son of Scottish parents Jane Gildawie and her husband, George Troup, a provision warehouseman and cabinet-maker.
(Oamaru's long wooden station, designed by Railways Depart...)
Oamaru's long wooden station, designed by Railways Department architect George Troup and completed in 1900, was typical of the new stations built in major provincial centres around the turn of the 20th century. Oamaru station was particularly famous for its dining room (situated at the southern or far end of the building), which was capable of seating 250 diners at long tables. The Christchurch–Dunedin express made a regular 22-minute dinner (lunch) stop here, and for a set price of 2s 6d, travellers could sample delights such as ‘stewed tripe and oysters’, ‘smoked fish with butter sauce’, ‘roast sirloin of beef with Yorkshire pudding’ and ‘compote of pears with boiled custard’.
1900
(Dunedin railway station was opened in 1906. The architect...)
Dunedin railway station was opened in 1906. The architect George A. Troup used a mix of architectural styles as well as building materials in its design and construction. The grand style of the building has meant it has retained significant historic importance in the city long after the period when it was the country’s busiest station. Dunedin was also the site for the Hillside railway workshops, responsible for the maintenance of most of the rail stock in the South Island. The workshops were the largest employers of staff in the city and for a long time, these two institutions reflected the importance of rail to New Zealand.
1906
(Western Hutt Railway Station, formerly Lower Hutt, is an ...)
Western Hutt Railway Station, formerly Lower Hutt, is an intermediate station on the single-track Melling Line in Lower Hutt, New Zealand, It is served by Metlink electric multiple unit trains operated by Tranz Metro. The building is now leased to various shops and businesses, and is called The Station Village Complex.
1906
(Big-city railway stations, such as Wellington’s, were pow...)
Big-city railway stations, such as Wellington’s, were powerful symbols of civic pride and prosperity. Although motor competition had already begun to erode rail passenger traffic by the time Wellington station opened in 1937, it has remained a bustling passenger hub.
1937
architect engineer and statesman
George Alexander Troup was born on 25 October 1863 in London, England, the son of Scottish parents Jane Gildawie and her husband, George Troup, a provision warehouseman and cabinet-maker.
In 1874 George Troup won a place at the prestigious Robert Gordon's College in Aberdeen. In 1879 he took up an apprenticeship with C. E. Calvert of Edinburgh, a licensed engineer, surveyor and architect. He also attended night classes in art and architecture at the Royal Institute, where he won a number of major prizes. Troup completed his apprenticeship in 1882. In 1886, he studied at the University of Otago School of Mines.
He emigrated to New Zealand in 1884. Joining the Survey Department when he arrived in Dunedin, he worked in remote survey gangs. In 1886, having studied at the University of Otago School of Mines, he commenced a 39-year career with New Zealand Railways, initially as a draughtsman with the district engineer's office in Dunedin. He soon transferred to the Head Office in Wellington, where he spent 37 of his 39 years in the Railways, and was responsible for the design of railway stations, bridges and viaducts, and for Railways housing.
His crowning achievement was the design and construction of Dunedin Railway Station, of 1906.
He supported the Presbyterian Church including St. John’s in Wellington and the Bible Class movement, the Y.M.C.A., the Wellington Boy’s Institute, and the British and Foreign Bible Society. He was also President of the Friesian Cattle Breeders Association, as he farmed his country property at Plimmerton. He was associated with the development of Kelburn, and the Wellington Cable Car.
His station buildings are now regarded as a valuable part of the architectural inheritance. He received third prize in a competition in 1911 for the design of the new Parliament Buildings. For 21 years he was chairman of the British and Foreign Bible Society in New Zealand. In 1931 he was appointed a CMG and in 1937 a Knight Bachelor.
Western Hutt Railway Station
(Western Hutt Railway Station, formerly Lower Hutt, is an ...)
1906Oamaru railway station
(Oamaru's long wooden station, designed by Railways Depart...)
1900Wellington railway station
(Big-city railway stations, such as Wellington’s, were pow...)
1937Dunedin railway station
(Dunedin railway station was opened in 1906. The architect...)
1906He had a long-term connection with St John's Presbyterian Church. He developed the concept of the young men's Bible class.
He had a forceful personality and 'the most direct of speech' for those he considered to be undeserving.
On 3 March 1897 at Wellington George Troup married Annie Mary Sloan; they were to have four children.
