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PRIDE in local railway heritage was emphasised at the official opening ceremony for Doncaster's new showpiece Rail Heritage Centre on September 16.
As reported in issue 281, the centre – located in the new Danum Gallery, Library and Museum, with LNER V2 2-6-2 No. 4771 Green Arrow and GNR C1 Atlantic 4-4-2 No. 251 as the current star exhibits – opened its doors to the public on May 29.
However, Doncaster Council, the Trustees of the Doncaster Grammar School Railway Collection and the National Railway Museum opted for a formal ceremony now that national Covid restrictions have been lifted.
The centre showcases the importance of the rail industry to Doncaster and the pivotal role that the town and its world-famous plant have played in world transport history.
The centre also displays more than 500 items of railwayana and memorabilia from the Doncaster Grammar School Railway Collection, many on show for the first time. It will be refreshed with additional exhibits at regular intervals.
Swindon, hub of the GWR empire, has its STEAM Museum, and Crewe its Heritage Centre, while Darlington, home of the Head of Steam museum, is still turning out new steam locomotives in the form of A1 Tornado and P2 Prince of Wales. But until now, Doncaster had not had an official focal point for its worldshaping railway history and heritage.
The council's chief executive, Damian Allen, greeted guests by saying: “It is fantastic to welcome to Danum Gallery, Library and Museum the people who have contributed to making this astounding Rail Heritage Centre possible. It's been a true partnership effort.
“Having two locomotives back home in Doncaster where they were built, complemented by an incredible array of rail related exhibits and artefacts is just incredible.
“Together they showcase the golden age of steam and the vital role Doncaster played in making it happen.”
NRM's head curator and assistant director, Andrew McLean, said: “The NRM is proud to partner with Doncaster Council to loan two of the most iconic of all Doncaster-built locomotives to add to the Danum Gallery, Library and Museum's rich and fascinating displays. By celebrating Doncaster's important contribution to the railways, I hope future generations will be inspired to make their own mark in continuing the engineering legacy of this great town.”
Representing the grammar school collection, Chris Barron said: “This is the result of a long but successful collaboration. The trustees are delighted with the outstanding support we have received from the
council. We look forward to working alongside heritage staff to make the collection better known and appreciated by local people and visitors from all over the world.”
Coun Nigel Ball, the council's cabinet member for public health, leisure, culture and planning, added: “Danum Gallery, Library and Museum is a wonderful community asset and visitor attraction in Doncaster town centre.
“It features the restored frontage of the former Doncaster High School for Girls and many of its original features. It has modern libraries and educational facilities, fascinating museums, a great art gallery and, of course, a marvellous Rail Heritage Centre.”
The Doncaster Grammar School Railway Collection was started in 1948 by the school's railway society. Its instigator and eventual curator of the collection was pupil Tony Peart, who continued building up the thousands of pieces until he died in 2006.
While the collection is diverse and varied, reflecting railways in every part of the UK, it has a clear emphasis on Doncaster's heritage.
Pride of place goes to nameplates from locomotives designed by Sir Nigel Gresley and built at Doncaster such as Cock O’ The North and Silver King. After 70 years hidden away in a tower at what is now Hall Cross Academy, the collection is now being placed on public display for the first time at the new heritage centre.
➜ The trustees of the school collection have released a new 60pp book, Treasures in the Tower, telling the story of the unique collection of more than 10,000 items built up over many decades. It is available priced £7.99 from the museum shop and Doncaster Tourist Information Centre.