Shrewsbury Railway Heritage Trust
The opening of the Shrewsbury and Birmingham Railway - the viaduct over the River Severn (from the Illustrated London News, November 17th, 1849)
Meetings and Events in 2006
Thursday May 25th 2006 at 7.15pm
'Castle Foregate to Shropshire Union Yard' Railway Heritage Walk
Meet at the Plough Public House on Castle Foregate, at the junction of St Michael's Street and New Park Road, Shrewsbury.
The Directors wish to thank Mr Bob Jones who will lead the walk and has also researched and organised the event. Please bring stout walking shoes and an umbrella.
This trail is one to one and a half miles, mostly on pavements through a facinating industrial part of Shrewsbury.
1. The Plough. So named because of its association with the Perseverance Iron Works. The Perseverance Works were built in 1860 were served by the London & North West Railway Company.
2. L.N.W.R. Crewe Bank Goods Yard. Approached under the bridge carrying the Shrewsbury-Crewe line, which was opened in September 1 st 1858. The coal depot was handling 60,000 tons of coal per annum as late as 1974.
3. Coton Hill Goods Yards. Sited alongside the G. W.R. line to Chester which was opened in 1848. The yard, developed in the latter part of the 19th century and was the largest yard in Shrewsbury. Through this yard ran many of the G.W.R. passenger express trains linking London with N. W.England. Parts of the land at 2 and 3 (above) are currently for sale for Development. The Trust is anticipating a degree of involvement with the Developer to ensure that important Railway Heritage will be recorded on the site.
4. Shrewsbury – Chester Railway Line. Opened in 1858. Used by the most powerful L M S. locomotives, hauling trains to and from the Industrial North West. The Engines were built at Crewe and had their first outing on this line.
5. The Flaxmill. Built 1796. It is presently planned to be restored after years of dilapidation. It is the first iron frame building in the world: the forerunner of the iconic 'Skyscrapers'. The railway and the Shrewsbury Canal served it.
6. Crewe Street Signal Box. An incendiary bomb jettisoned from a German aircraft destroyed the original box in 1940. The siding opposite was used as an overnight stop for ambulance trains after WW2 D-Day
7. Shrewsbury Canal. Completed 1797. Had 50 years of prosperity before falling into decline in the mid 19th century as the railways became the preferred means of commercial transport,
8. Shropshire Union Yard. Built originally in last years of 18th century to contain the canal basin.
Shrewsbury Railway Heritage gratefully acknowledge that in addition to contributions from members of The Trust, much of the historical data for this Trail has been obtained from the published works of Richard K. Morris and Barrie Trinder.
CONTACT: Robert Jones Tel. 01743 363697 for futher information.
Thursday 8th June 2006 at 7.15pm
'Underdale & Potteries Junction' Railway Heritage Walk
Aerial view of the Line to Wellington in 1914, showing the loop to the right, the show yard top left, the coal yard top right and the then new Abbey Foregate signalbox to the left of that yard (photo courtesy of Shropshire Archives)
Meet at the Old Abbey Station, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury. You are warmly welcomed to come along and learn about the Railway History of this once busy railway area of town.
The Directors of the Shrewsbury Railway Heritage Trust acknowledge and thank Mr David Giddins for the research and organisation of this Railwalk.
CONTACT: David Giddins Tel. 01743 368590 for further information.
Thursday 15th June 2006 at 7.15pm.
'The Back of the Sheds' Railway Heritage Walk
Britannia Pacific 70022 alongside Rocke Walk, Coleham around 1960 (photo Russell Mulford)
Meet at the Old Abbey Railway Station, Abbey Foregate.
You are warmly welcome to the Shrewsbury Railway Heritage Trusts Railwalk. Come along and learn about the Railway History of this fascinating, bustling railway area of Shrewsbury. The walk will take about one to one and a half hours and will cover mostly accessible paths, though there is one (relatively gentle) embankment to tackle. Please bring appropriate shoes and clothes.
The Directors of The Shrewsbury Railway Heritage Trust acknowledge and thank Mr David Giddins for researching and organising this walk, ably assisted by Mr Ernie Jenks.
CONTACT: David Giddins Tel. 01743 368590 for further information.
Saturday June 17th 2006 at 7.30pm
An evening of folk music with a railway flavour
featuring
Mark Dowding & Chris Harvey
at
Belmont Arts Centre, Belmont, Shrewsbury
TICKETS £5 Phone: Box Office 01743 281281
CONTACT: Mark Dowding through www.markdowding.co.uk or Mansel Williams Tel 07715 385440
Sunday October 22nd 2006
Railway Heritage Walk starting at 2pm from the Plough Pub, at the junction of St Michael's Street and New Park Rd, Castlefields, Shrewsbury. All welcome.
Wednesday November 1st 2006 at 7.30pm
Isambard Kingdom Brunel
(1806-1859)
An illustrated talk about the great engineer in the Bi-centenary Year by Dr Barrie Trinder at the Shirehall, Shrewsbury.
In the upstairs lobby of the Shire Hall, from 3pm onwards on the same day, there will be displays by Railway Societies and Groups.
Admission Free.
All welcome.
Wednesday November 1st - 11th 2006
Exhibition of Original Railway Paintings
at the English Bridge Workshop Gallery, Shrewsbury
10:30am and 4:30pm daily [except Sundays]
Thursday November 9th 2006
"The Shrewsbury Railway Story"
An Illustrated 'CD' Show By David Giddins
at 7.30pm
at the English Bridge Workshop, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury
Wednesday December 6th 2006
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
at 7.30pm at The Guildhall, Frankwell Quay, Shrewsbury
Copyright © 2006 Shrewsbury Railway Heritage Trust. All rights reserved.