The Age of Steam recalled in new exhibition at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery
Shrewsbury’s position as a major railway junction since Victorian times is being celebrated in a new exhibition at the town’s Museum & Art Gallery, opening today (Monday 2 March). Shrewsbury Railway Heritage Trust has loaned a collection of historic railway signs, pictures and other railwayana from its base in the former Abbey Foregate railway station.
Of special interest is a painting of GWR steam locomotive ‘Shrewsbury Castle’ in the platform at Shrewsbury station. Other items include a Shrewsbury totem sign, period pictures, books, timetables, signal box equipment, uniform caps and badges.
The exhibition is taking place in the Community Exhibition Gallery at the end of the Shropshire Gallery and is open daily between Monday 2 March and Sunday 26th April.
Tina Woodward, Shropshire Council deputy Cabinet Member for Museums, commented:
“We are delighted to have our first exhibition dedicated to Shrewsbury’s railway history in the Museum & Art Gallery. I am sure it will be very popular. We are indebted to the Shrewsbury Railway Heritage Trust for loaning these historic items from its extensive collection.”
Mansel Williams, Chairman of Shrewsbury Railway Heritage Trust, said:
“The Trust is thrilled to be able to mount an exhibition in such a prestigious building as Shrewsbury’s former Music Hall, now converted to the Museum & Art Gallery. Over the years the Trust has gathered together many items of interest from Shrewsbury and Shropshire railways and it is a great pleasure for us to display them to a wider audience. Shrewsbury remains an important junction on the rail network in the Welsh Borders and I hope our small exhibition will inspire people to go out and explore the remaining network of lines including the preserved Severn Valley Railway at Bridgnorth.”
Further information
Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery is open daily from 10am to 4.30pm and is located in The Square in Shrewsbury.
Tel: 01743 258885
Email: shrewsburymuseum@shropshire.gov.uk
Website: www.shrewsburymuseum.org.uk
