Despite the best efforts of the British weather, over five thousand visitors braved the rain and descended on Crewe on Saturday 8th June to attend the ‘Crewe All Change’ event
Crewe Diesel Depot held a charity open day organised in partnership with Virgin Trains, Locomotive Services Limited and The Railway Magazine for enthusiasts young and old
The event was held in memory of Alison Austin who sadly lost her brave fight against Neuroendocrine Cancer last year and whose family members work at Crewe Station
Councillor Benn Minshall, Mayor of Crewe, helped unveil Virgins Trains’ Pendolino 390115 as it was named ‘Crewe – All Change’ which sits aside the Crewe Town Council emblem to reflect the town’s key role in the railway both historically and in the years to come. The train also carries Alison’s name on its cab ends in her memory
Councillor Benn Minshall added, “Ever since the railway made Crewe its home in the 1800s, the town has been incredibly proud of the rich heritage it has given to us. The term ‘All Change at Crewe’ has long been associated with our station and it is just as fitting today as we travel into a new railway era with HS2. Huge thanks goes to Virgin Trains, Locomotive Services Limited and The Railway Magazine for all the hard work in pulling the event together to make a fitting tribute to Crewe and Alison’s family. Crewe will always be part of the railways past, present and future.”
The train is the first to carry a Town Council emblem which will now be seen the length and breadth of the country as the Pendolino carries passengers up and down the West Coast Main Line
The event is expected to have raised in excess of £50,000 with a number of charities set to benefit which include NET Patient Foundation, Rethink Mental Illness, The Railway Children, St John’s Ambulance as well as a number of local good causes
In addition to the train naming, guests were treated to a behind the scenes look at Crewe Diesel Depot when it opened its doors for the first time in over a decade. Over 40 diesel and electric trains from around the network were on show reflecting the Diesel Depot’s modern history
