19th April 2021 · Crewe in the 1950s & 60s

Jon Penn gave a Zoom presentation on 19th April entitled “Archive Photos of Crewe in 1950s & 1960s (John Kirwood Collection)”.

This was a most interesting collection of photographs covering a period from pre-nationalisation up to the end of steam and, as would be expected at Crewe, included a vast majority of ex-LMS/LMR locomotive classes all seen within close proximity of the general area, although the early days of diesel and electric traction were not forgotten.

Amongst locomotives shown were many of the express passenger classes in different liveries and styles including the ill-fated 45637 Windward Islands, 47862, the Bissel truck, an ex-ROD 2-8-0 and a pair of Dreadnoughts still with L&Y cab number plates and one carrying a rather unusual style of LM&SR on the tender.

Some scenes at the station depicted not only a myriad of locomotives but included throngs of passengers which gave a great insight into what it was like at Crewe all those years ago.

Jon produced a most interesting evening which brought back many memories of how varied, busy and exciting a location it used to be.