Restoration and Preservation
Over the years, the Crewe Heritage Centre has expanded its collection and facilities to provide an immersive experience for visitors. Notable milestones include the acquisition of the only preserved Advanced Passenger Train Prototype (APT-P) in 1988 and the addition of a 600-metre-long miniature railway in 1992. The centre also houses several historic signal boxes, including the Exeter West signal box, which was reconstructed on-site and opened to the public in 1993.
Crewe’s transformation from a small farming community into a major railway hub began in the 19th century. The Grand Junction Railway Company established the Crewe Works in 1840, and the first locomotive, Tamerlane, was produced there in 1843. Over the years, Crewe Works became a cornerstone of British railway engineering, producing over 8,000 locomotives and playing a pivotal role in the town’s development. To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the first train’s arrival at Crewe Railway Station in 1837, the Crewe Heritage Centre was officially opened on 24 July 1987 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. Initially part of the Crewe Heritage Festival, the centre’s popularity led to its reopening in 1988 and the establishment of the Crewe Heritage Trust in 1989 to oversee its operations.