{"id":5999,"date":"2023-04-12T16:54:30","date_gmt":"2023-04-12T15:54:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/therailwaydog.co.uk\/?p=5999"},"modified":"2023-04-12T16:54:30","modified_gmt":"2023-04-12T15:54:30","slug":"crewe-heritage-centre","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/therailwaydog.co.uk\/?p=5999","title":{"rendered":"Crewe Heritage Centre"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Inter City APT-P (Advanced Passenger Train Prototype) was donated to the Crewe Heritage Centre by British Rail in 1988, this would become the only APT-P to be preserved and is the first thing visitors see on arrival – 01\/04\/2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On Saturday April 1st, Yoshi’s mama had a weekend away planned with friends in Oxford. Organised before the announcement of rail strikes, I had a cunning plan for an adventure of my own when Mick Lynch of the RMT declared “everyone out!” By the time the April strike day was suspended, I’d already committed myself to an overnight stay in Derby. So after a stop at the Oxford Park & Ride, my chum @da_buckley967 and myself headed North to Crewe as we had booked a visit to the Freightliner depot at Crewe Basford Hall. Yoshi was still on his hols with his cousins as obviously he wasn’t going to be allowed to wander around a working railway yard. Our visit was scheduled to last for approximately one hour and kicked off at midday. Looking for some other things to do in the area, a visit to The Crewe Heritage Centre was an obvious choice. I was under the misunderstanding that dogs were not allowed on site, but I am happy to report that dogs are very much welcomed, and indeed, they enjoy free admission and doggy watering stations are spotted about the museum to help keep them hydrated. Owners are catered for in the cafe where tea, coffee, cold drinks and snacks are available. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The former Crewe North Junction Signal Box now contains a cafe, viewing point, model railway and signalling equipment. Constructed in 1938 by the London Midland & Scottish (LMS) Railway Company and built to an \u2018ARP\u2019 (Air Raid Precautions) design, with 38cm thick reinforced concrete walls and a 45cm thick concrete roof. The new \u2018electric\u2019 Signal Box was constructed directly in front of the previous 1906 building; this was partially demolished in 1940 with only the ground floor being retained and converted into a Linesmans\u2019 hut. In 1985 as part of the Crewe Station remodelling project this Signal Box was closed with control being handed over to the new Signalling Centre on the opposite side of the Crewe to Chester Line.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Crewe Heritage Centre is nestled between the Crewe to Chester line and West Coast Mainline on part of the site of the original Crewe Locomotive Works. The Heritage Centre was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, on 24th July 1987 to mark the 150th anniversary of the first train to arrive at Crewe Railway Station in 1837. Originally forming part of the Crewe Heritage Festival which was an eight week long event with activities and celebrations taking place all over the town of Crewe, members of the public were also invited to visit the historic Locomotive Works and see first hand how railway locomotives were constructed and maintained by British Rail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following a really successful festival, Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council decided to open the Heritage Centre again in 1988, and in 1989 the council handed the running of the museum over to the newly formed Crewe Heritage Trust who continue to operate the museum to this day. We really enjoyed our visit and I hope to return with Yoshi in tow one day soon!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Crewe Station \u2018A\u2019 Signal Box with Exeter West Signal Box behind – 01\/04\/2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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In 1991, the dismantled sections of Exeter West Signal Box are transported to the Heritage Centre from storage and the complex task of reconstructing the Signal Box begins in May, construction continued into 1992 with the Signal Box opening as part of the museum on May Day 1993 – 01\/04\/2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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An example of a Crewe Eagle, four of which were mounted on a bridge crossing the Crewe to Chester railway line – 01\/04\/2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The No. 2 end cab of Class 86 No. 86247 was restored at the Heritage Centre and currently displays the Anglia Railways livery, which whilst in service, the locomotive never actually carried. The locomotive was scrapped in 2015 with both cabs being saved. The No. 1 end cab can be seen at The Cab Yard Project in Bridgend – 01\/04\/2023 <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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One of two Class 86\/6 locomotives to be given the Freightliner Powerhaul green and yellow livery No. 86622 is on long term loan at the Heritage Centre – 01\/04\/2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Through an agreement between the Crewe Heritage Trust and Europhoenix British Rail Class 91 No. 91120 arrived at the Heritage Centre in 2022 – 01\/04\/2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Released from English Electric Vulcan Foundry in January 1963 – Works Number EE\/VF3237\/D762 1962 – and originally numbered No. D6808, Class 37 No. 37108 was moved to the Heritage Centre from Carnforth by road in 2010 – 01\/04\/2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Class 37 No. 37108 alongside Class 03 No. 03073 – 01\/04\/2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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With the kind support of British Rail, the Heritage Centre was able to acquire Doncaster built Class 03 Diesel Shunter No. 03073 in 1990, this would be the first shunting locomotive to be preserved by the Heritage Centre – 01\/04\/2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Thanks to a generous donation by Porterbrook the Heritage Centre secured the High Speed Train (HST) Power Car No. 43081, the 8,000th locomotive to be constructed in Crewe Work – 01\/04\/2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Crewe built HST Power Car No. 43018 on static exhibition was acquired by the Heritage Centre in 2020 – 01\/04\/2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Visitors to the Heritage Centre can visit the cab of one of the driving trailers from set 370003 – 01\/04\/2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The very 1970’s high tech cab arrangement of APT-P – 01\/04\/2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Standard Class (probably still called second class in the 1980’s) seating in APT-P – 01\/04\/2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The “fully stocked bar” in the buffet car of APT-P – 01\/04\/2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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First class seating on board APT-P – 01\/04\/2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The view from the cab window of the APT-P driving car – 01\/04\/2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the November 1980 edition of Railnews, the industry newspaper, there was pullout special souvenir all about the Advanced Passenger Train:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Proof I saw APT-P on the mainline! An unidentified APT at Crewe – 13\/08\/1978<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Driving trailer of APT-P set No. 370007 at Old Oak Common. The APT was apparently a late addition to the Open Day at Old Oak Common after lots of discussions over route clearance – 20\/09\/1981<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We’ll tell you more about our weekend next time. I would have included more this week, but I have episodes of “Married At First Sight Australia” to catch up on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Closer to home, Yoshi, his mama and I made the trip on Swanage Railway’s trial diesel multiple unit (DMU) service which we discussed in our previous blog entry. The trains were well used on Saturday 8th April, the day of our trip, which was good to see. This was despite widespread criticism of the ticket prices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Swanage Railway’s three car Class 117 DMU stands at Wareham Platform 2 with the 1109 arrival from Swanage – 08\/04\/2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Yoshi had a good view out of the window along the route to Corfe Castle aboard the heritage Class 117 DMU – 08\/04\/2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Having arrived back in Wareham, Yoshi took a closer look at the Class 117 DMU – 08\/04\/2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On Tuesday 11th April, the Swanage Railway said good-bye to British Railways Standard Class 7 No. 70000 ‘Britannia’ as she returned to her base at Locomotive Services Limited in Crewe. We caught her crossing the Holes Bay causeway in Poole. During her stay in The Purbeck’s the Brit was star guest at the Swanage Steam Gala and was utilised on sell out driver training events. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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British Railways Standard Class 7 No. 70000 ‘Britannia’ crosses Holes Bay working 5Z72 0720 Swanage to Crewe H.S. – 11\/04\/2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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