East Lancashire Railway (ELR) and the train operator Northern have signed a deal to ensure a historical war memorial can remain on public display.
The memorial, which honours 117 men from the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Carriage & Wagon Depot who lost their lives during the First World War, has gone on permanent loan to the Bury Transport Museum, which is operated by ELR and was unveiled at a special ceremony yesterday (Sunday, 6 April).
It was originally located at Newton Heath depot and was installed not long after the war ended.
When the original building in which it was housed closed in 1928 it was moved to Newton Heath Town Hall but was again dismantled when the town hall itself closed down and wasn't rediscovered until the 1990s when a British Rail employee found it in the under croft of Manchester Piccadilly station.
Its historical significance recognised, the memorial was safely stored at East Lancashire Railway for 20 years before being rededicated and unveiled at Newton Heath TrainCare Centre in 2019.
The latest move, which was prompted by major roof repairs to Newton Heath TrainCare Centre, is also part of a desire for greater public access to the memorial.
As a working TrainCare Centre, visits to the memorial were only previously possible via special arrangement. But now, relatives of those men whose names appear on the memorial will be able to spend time visiting it in the museum.
Keith Whitmore, chair of Bury Transport Museum, said: “This is one of the most stunning exhibits that we have ever had in the museum.
“It is going to be popular for new visitors and, in particular, the relatives of the fallen will be able to see those names on the plaque.”
Tricia Williams, managing director of Northern Trains, added: “The memorial is very special to all of us at Northern and has been the focus of our local Remembrance commemorations to honour those railway workers who gave their lives during the First World War.
“We’re delighted that members of the public will now have greater access to view to the memorial and grateful to the team at East Lancashire Railway for providing a fitting home at Bury Transport Museum.”
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