Crewe Heritage Centre

Coordinates: 53°05′41″N 2°26′17″W / 53.0946°N 2.43818°W / 53.0946; -2.43818

Crewe Heritage Centre (formerly "Crewe Railway Age")
Location	Vernon Way, Crewe, England
Type	Railway museum
Director	Mike Lenz
Website	Crewe Heritage Centre website

The Crewe Heritage Centre, formerly the Crewe Railway Age is a railway museum, located in Crewe, England. The Railway Age was rebranded to its original name of Crewe Heritage Centre in early 2008. It is administered by Crewe Heritage Trust Ltd.

Background information

The museum is located between the junction to Chester and the West Coast Main Line, in the old LMS railway yard which was once part of Crewe Works. There are three signal boxes including the large, all electrically operated Crewe North Junction signal box, which the public can operate and look around. There is also an extensive miniature railway with steam, diesel and electric traction. Brake Van rides are available to the public during special events and galas. The most prominent exhibit of the museum is the BR Class 370 APT, which is open to the public and includes a number of exhibits associated with the APT and models. The Main Exhibition Hall features many artefacts and exhibits associated with Crewe from its locomotive and carriage construction, and famous junction railway station. A cylinder and Caprotti valve gear from BR Standard Class 8 4-6-2 Pacific, no. 71000 'Duke of Gloucester', which was constructed at Crewe Works in 1954 is also on display. The prototype of the Bentley Continental GT motor car, which was launched in 2003, and built at the nearby Bentley Motor Works in Crewe, is on display.

Gallery

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  The APT train from the Crewe North Junction signal box

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  The West Coast Main Line from the museum

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  A view of the railway yard from the cab of the APT

Locomotives

See also: List of Crewe Heritage Centre's rolling stock

In addition, steam locomotives are often stabled at Crewe Heritage Centre between working railtours on the main line.

The 6201 Princess Elizabeth Society have made Crewe Heritage Centre their mainline operating base, although 6201 'Princess Elizabeth' is currently^[when?] at Tyseley Locomotive Works undergoing boiler repairs.

The smoke deflectors for new LMS Patriot Class number 45551 'The Unknown Warrior' are on display in the Crewe North Junction signal box having been unveiled at the The LMS Patriot Project's 2010 AGM. 40 of the 52 'Patriot' class were constructed at the nearby Crewe Works.

Signal boxes

• Crewe Station A Cabin
• Crewe North Junction signal box
• Exeter West signal box

External links

• Official website