A SELECTION of railwayana and rail memorabilia that has been hidden from public eyes for many years will be put on display at Doncaster’s Frenchgate shopping centre from February 6 to March 7.
The collection was started by pupils and teachers at Doncaster Grammar School in the 1930s when a railway society was set up. It has never been accessible by the public.
Over the years, members collected signs, nameplates, lamps, signal posts and thousands of other items of railwayana, from the BR and pre-nationalisation eras.
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Normally stored in an attic room, the artefacts will be displayed as part of the ‘Making Tracks – Past, Present and Future’ exhibition, and is expected to attract thousands to see the seldom-seen exhibits.
The exhibition is a collaboration between Frenchgate Shopping Centre, Doncaster Council, Business Doncaster, and Doncaster Museums and Art Gallery.
Dave Rogerson, trustee of the collection, who is helping to put on the exhibition said the exhibition was of ‘national importance’.
He said: “It is an amazing collection, but has been hidden away for too long. It’s well-known among railway circles, but it is time it was brought to a much wider audience. We are hoping many people will come out to see the items and make people aware of what is within the archive.”
The exhibition will also coincide with half-term activities and attractions including train-related workshops for youngsters February 22/23.
The display will be in two units on the ground floor of the West Mall.
