Crewe Works facts for kids

Crewe railway works is a very old and important place in Crewe, Cheshire, where trains are built and fixed. It was started way back in 1840 by a company called the Grand Junction Railway. Imagine, that's almost 200 years ago!

At one time, Crewe Works was huge. More than 20,000 people worked there, making it a very busy place. Today, it's owned by a company called Bombardier Transportation. Fewer people work there now, but they still do important jobs like checking and repairing trains that need fixing. Some parts of the original site have even been sold off and are now used for other things like shops and a health center.

What is Crewe Works?

Crewe Works is like a giant hospital and factory for trains. It's a special place where engineers and skilled workers build new parts for trains and fix old ones. They make sure trains are safe and ready to travel on the railway tracks.

Building and Fixing Trains

For many years, Crewe Works was famous for building brand new locomotives, which are the engines that pull trains. They built all sorts of steam engines and later, diesel and electric trains too. It was a place where amazing railway technology was created.

Now, the main job at Crewe Works is to keep trains running smoothly. This means:

• Doing regular checks on trains to make sure everything is working correctly.
• Repairing trains that have been damaged or are worn out.
• Making sure all parts of the train, like the wheels, engines, and carriages, are in good condition.

A Look Back at History

The Grand Junction Railway built Crewe Works in 1840. This was a time when railways were becoming very popular in Britain. Trains were a new and exciting way to travel and move goods around the country.

Growth and Change

Over the years, Crewe Works grew bigger and bigger. It became one of the most important railway workshops in the world. Many famous trains were built right here in Crewe. It was a place of great innovation and skill.

However, like many old factories, Crewe Works has changed over time. The way trains are built and maintained has also changed. This means that fewer people are needed to do the work today compared to its busiest times.

Crewe Today

Even though Crewe Works is smaller now, it still plays a role in the railway industry. It helps keep trains safe and working for everyone who uses them. The site is a reminder of Crewe's rich history as a railway town.

The Changing Landscape

Parts of the land where the railway works once stood have been redeveloped. This means new buildings have been put up. You can now find a supermarket, a leisure park, and a large health center on land that was once part of the busy railway works. This shows how towns and industries can change over many years.

Images for kids

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  Rebuilt Royal Scot Class No. 46123 Royal Irish Fusilers receiving attention at Crewe Works with other locomotives

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  Stanier 8F 2-8-0 on the Crewe Works internal railway in 1948

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  Bowen-Cooke Class G2a 0-8-0 No. 48932, built at Crewe in 1902 as a Webb Class B four-cylinder loco, was later rebuilt to two-cylinder status. Buxton shed August 1960.