The Peterborough Railways exhibition opened last night at the Museum running until 21st September, and I was invited for a sneak preview.
But before you think it’s just for train spotters you’ll be mistaken! It’s very much all about the history of Peterborough with great titbits of fabulous information you may not already know. I found out quite a few things myself of places from my childhood memories, but never really understood.
- What did the old Brotherhood’s factory make?
- How did Baker Perkins come to be in Peterborough?
- Are they related to Perkin’s engines?
- Did you know that Prince Edward came here to NVR?
Did you know that Peterborough was actually smaller in population than Stamford?!!! It was the main railway line creation of York to London (Maiden Line) that boomed Peterborough’s growth, and the line facilitated people to be able to travel down to London to see the Great Exhibition in 1851.
The railway was the most significant industrial employer in the 19th century in Peterbourgh. In fact 21% of the working population of men in Peterborough were working for GNER!! Remember those lines of houses at New England on Lincoln Road, well there were hundred’s of them which were railway worker’s homes. Unfortunately only one row is now left as the remainder of them were destroyed to make way for Bourges Boulevard to be built.
In the centre hall of the exhibition, there’s even a model railway of East Station which was where the Council offices are now. There’s info about our wonderful steam train line; Nene Valley Railway and the creation of the beautiful area of Railworld and Wildlife Haven. On top of that; there are some fabulous maps where you can see the transformation of the city of Peterborough right from 1886. I spotted my home as it’s fairly close to the railway line, can you spot yours?
As a whole it’s a really interesting exhibition which is definitely worth a visit to see the images, the model, and to read that information. Fascinating.
#Peterborough #WeLovePeterborough #Railways #Trains #Museum #Exhibition
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