Griffithstown Railway Museum facts for kids
The Griffithstown Railway Museum was a special place in Griffithstown, Torfaen, South Wales. It was a museum that collected and showed off old railway items. The museum was inside an old building called a goods shed. This shed was built in 1879 by the Great Western Railway. It was right next to the old Panteg and Griffithstown railway station.
Contents
About the Museum
How the Museum Started
A local collector named Martin Fay loved old railway things. He owned and ran the museum. Mr. Fay bought the old goods shed. It was in a very bad condition, almost falling apart. After a lot of hard work to fix it up, he opened the museum in 2002.
Why the Museum Closed
Sadly, the museum had to close in January 2011. It didn't have enough money to keep running. Since then, the building has been changed. It is now used as a preschool for young children.
Griffithstown Village
The Village Name
The museum was in the village of Griffithstown. This village got its name from Henry Griffiths. He was the very first stationmaster at Pontypool Road Station.
A Special Birthplace
Griffithstown is also famous for something else. It was the birthplace of ASLEF in 1880. ASLEF stands for the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen. This is a group that helps train drivers and firemen.
Improving the Area
Funding for Improvements
The area around the museum received some money to make it better. About £35,000 was given by a local property developer. The Welsh Assembly Government also helped through a special department. This money was used to improve the look of the area. It also helped create better parking for visitors.
The Forging Hammer
In front of the museum, there is a large hammer. A sign on it says it is a 'Steam Hammer'. But it is actually a different kind of machine. It is a MASSEY 7cwt pneumatic forging hammer. This type of hammer uses air pressure to work.
