Buses

Crewe Heritage Centre is base for a number of iconic Routemaster Buses, as well as Bus Rallies from time to time.

The Exhibition Hall

Details coming

The Crewe Eagles

The Heritage Centre is home to two of the four Crewe Eagles, and gives the name to the "Friends Of" newsletter, "Eagle".

The Miniature Railway

The Miniature Railway is a very popular attraction, with its own team of specialist volunteers; a dedicated website is in the links menu to the right.

Join "Friends of Crewe Heritage Centre"

Each image can be clicked on for larger size; membership form click on, then right click, save and print to send by post. Other contact details available on the right hand side.

Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th June 2008

Signalling Weekend and National Model Railroad Association Day

Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th July 2008

Signalling Weekend

Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th September 2008

Miniature Railway Gala

Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th October 2008

Event TBC
National Model Railroad Association Weekend

Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th November

Signalling Records Society and Remembrance Weekend

Contact

E-mail Centre Manager
Telephone Crewe Heritage Centre on 01270 212130

Sections of Crewe Heritage Centre:

E-mail Miniature Railway mobile 07837 387 060

E-mail Exeter West Group

Admission

2010 Open Season Prices TBC

2009 Admission was:
Day Tickets
Adults £5
Children £2
Seniors £2
Family £10
Ticket includes one free return on the Miniature Railway

Season Tickets
Adults £20
Family £40

Note for those travelling by train and
holding a Valid Rail Ticket on the
Manchester - Crewe and
Derby - Crewe Lines
Buy One - Get One Free on Admission

Opening Times

Saturdays, Sundays & Bank Holidays 10am to 4.30pm (Last Admission 3.30pm) until the end of September 2008. Other times and dates by negotiation with the Heritage Centre manager.

Exeter West Box

This box has been completely rebuilt, by the Exeter West Group, exactly as it was in 1960. The equipment has been made to work, so that it is possible to simulate the operation as it was in the final years of Western Region steam.

Crewe North Junction Box

The box has been rewired to enable demonstrations to be given illustrating the main aspects of signalling.

Where to find us?

Crewe Heritage Centre, Vernon Way, Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 2DB, England. Map HERE

By Rail

The Crewe Heritage Centre is approximately a 20 minute walk from Crewe Railway Station. Walking from the Station, turn left along Nantwich Road. Walk to the traffic lights and turn right into Mill Street, continue down Mill Street under the railway bridge to the roundabout, turn right into Vernon Way, and then across Tesco Car Park. Buses regularly depart from Crewe Train Station to the town centre.

By Road

From M6 Junction 16 and all other routes follow the signs for Crewe and the brown tourist signs to 'The Railway Age' and 'Crewe Heritage Centre'. We have a small Car Park that is free to visitors (to the right inside our main gate), and to the left just before the gates. If parking anywhere else do take note of charges or restrictions (including Tesco Car Park).

By Bus

A short walk from the bus station - leave the bus station from the east through an arcade, right on to Queensway (Marks and Spencer should be opposite). Across the Market Square towards Costa, Barclays etc, right on to Market Street, staying on the left side. Walk down Market Street, over the bridge, left on to High Street - past the M Club - using the pedestrian crossing across to Tesco car park.

The APT (Advanced Passenger Train)

Introduced in 1979, the APT, as it is normally referred to, was an InterCity Development train, uniquely designed to provide faster journey times on the West Coast Main Line, culminating in a passenger relief service between London and Glasgow three days a week between 1983-85. Then from 1985-87 it was used solely for development purposes of future electric locomotives.

Built by BREL at Derby, the allocation, which was divided between Glasgow Shields Electric Traction Depot and Crewe ETD, consisted of six rakes and a spare driving vehicle, numbered 370001 - 370007 (Class 370). Each rake would contain up to six articulated trailer vehicles and one non-driving motor vehicle, so that each train set would comprise of two such rakes with the non-driving motor vehicles being situated in the centre of the formation.

To meet the criteria for faster journey times the decision between straightening the track and tilting the train over existing track had to be made. The decision went in favour of the tilting train, hence the special features of the APT were developed.

1. Hydraulically operated tilt system, controlled by sensors on the bogie frames.
2. Hydro-kinetic braking system, providing efficient high speed braking to stop the train within existing signalling distances.
3. Lightweight steel bogies, incorporating specially designed axles for use on the hydro-kinetic braking system, air bag secondary suspension of the vehicles and swinging bolster, jacks and control equipment for the tilt system.
4. C-APT (Drivers Aid Control - 'Control APT'), electronically controlling the indication of enhanced line speed and restrictions to driver, and acting on his response to these signals.
5. Four, vehicle mounted, 1000 hp, ASEA LJMA 410F separately excited traction motors, being controlled by power thyristors for variable excitation.

The above items were developed to give a maximum line speed of 155 mph and with tilt the APT could consequently negotiate curves 20%-40% faster than conventional trains.

About Crewe Heritage Centre

Work In Progress

'Crewe Heritage Centre' is administered by Crewe Heritage Trust Ltd., Vernon Way, Crewe, Cheshire CW1 2DB, England. Registered Charity number 1011961.

All facilities described are subject to availability; the Trustees reserve the right to amend facilities without prior notice.