the story of the Crewe heritage centre
Nestled between the Crewe-Chester and West Coast Mainline lies the Crewe Heritage Centre, situated on the grounds of the original Crewe Locomotive Works. This remarkable establishment was graced with the presence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh during its official opening on the 24th of July, 1987. The occasion marked the 150th anniversary of the first train's arrival at Crewe Railway Station in 1837.
Originally a part of the Crewe Heritage Festival, an eight-week-long extravaganza filled with activities and celebrations throughout the town of Crewe, the Heritage Centre welcomed members of the public to witness the construction and maintenance of railway locomotives by British Rail. The festival's resounding success prompted the Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council to reopen the Heritage Centre in 1988.
Word of the Centre's wonders spread far and wide, attracting visitors not only from all corners of the United Kingdom but also from around the globe. Recognizing its significance, the council entrusted the museum's operations to the newly formed Crewe Heritage Trust in 1989. To this day, the trust continues to preserve and showcase the rich heritage of the locomotive works.
Look How Far We’ve Come
1986
◦ On 19th December Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council approve plans to build a museum to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the first train to arrive at Crewe Railway Station. The site chosen was the plot of land formally occupied by the Old Works.
1987
◦ The Crewe Heritage Centre is officially opened on 24th July by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness the Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh. The opening of the Heritage Centre is part of the larger Crewe Heritage Festival, which was a town wide celebration marking 150 years since the first train arrived at Crewe Railway Station in 1837.
1988
◦ The Inter City APT-P (Advanced Passenger Train Prototype) is donated to the Heritage Centre by British Rail, this would become the only APT-P to be preserved.
◦ Crewe Heritage Centre acquires Crewe built Class 47 diesel-electric Locomotive 47 192 (D1842), this was the first Class 47 to enter preservation.
1989
◦ Running of the Heritage Centre is passed from Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council to the newly formed Crewe Heritage Trust, a new charity that has been established to operate and maintain the museum.
1990
◦ With the kind support of British Rail, the Heritage Centre is able to acquire Doncaster built Class 03 Diesel Shunter 03 073, this would be the first shunting locomotive to be preserved by the Heritage Centre.
1991
◦ The dismantled sections of the Exeter West Signal Box are transported to the Heritage Centre from storage with 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.
1992
◦ It is decided that the Heritage Centre would change its name to The Railway Age to provide more of a focus on Crewe's contribution to the railway and transport industry as a whole.
◦ The Heritage Centre opens a 600 metre long Miniature Railway offering visitors a fun packed journey between Crewe Old Works and Spider Bridge stations.
◦ Cllr Dorothy Hassall is appointed as the first female Trustee of the Crewe Heritage Trust.
2005
◦ The Heritage Centre acquires Crewe built Class 87 electric locomotive 87 035, the first Class 87 locomotive to be preserved.
2008
◦ Following a change of internal management the decision is taken by the Crewe Heritage Trust to return the museum to its original name with plans to cover the wider history of Crewe and the surrounding area.
◦ Our team members are awarded ‘Team of the Year’ at the Cheshire Awards for Tourism Skills (CATS).
2016
◦ Crewe Heritage Centre is awarded a Certificate Of Excellence by Trip Advisor, the museum would go on to win this award for another four years in a row.
2017
◦ Dorothy Flude is appointed as the first female Chairperson of the Crewe Heritage Trust.
◦ Following a successful public appeal the only other surviving APT-P vehicle, located at Coventry Railway Museum is acquired by the Heritage Centre and moved to the museum in early 2018.
2020
◦ The Heritage Centre is awarded a 2020 Travellers’ Choice Award by Tripadvisor.
◦ The Heritage Centre acquires a Mk3 DVT, Coach and Crewe built HST Power Car 43 018 as static exhibits.
◦ With the assistance of Cheshire East Council the Heritage Centre is able to preserve several components of the 'Big Bill' clock tower, which stood for over 60 years in the centre of Crewe.
◦ The Spider Bridge is awarded a 'Red Wheel' by the National Transport Trust officially recognising the structure as the last surviving section of the Crewe Works Narrow Gauge Railway.
2021
◦ Crewe Brass relocate to the Heritage Centre from their former home in Shavington.
◦ Thanks to a generous donation by Porterbrook the Heritage Centre is able to secure the High Speed Train (HST) Powercar 43 081, the 8,000th locomotive to be constructed in Crewe Works.