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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 11, Issue 11 (February 1, 1937)

A Famous Railway Junction

A Famous Railway Junction.

One hundred years ago, there was opened for traffic one of the world's pioneer railways—the historic Grand Junction system — commencing at Curzon Street Station, Birmingham, and running to Newton, 82 ½ miles distant, where it joined the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, opened seven years earlier. The Grand Junction line was merged into the London and North Western, and later into the London, Midland and Scottish Company.

From the outset, one of the principal stations on the system was Crewe. Owing to its unique geographical situation, Crewe ranks as a leading railway junction. It is also the site of the famous Crewe locomotive shops, where so many of the world's outstanding locomotive designers spent their early years. In the pioneering days of the Grand Junction Railway, there were twelve passenger trains passing through Crewe daily. During the summer, about 530 trains now call daily at the station. In winter, the daily total is approximately 420. Twenty per cent, of the trains divide at Crewe for two or more destinations. Crewe passenger station has six platforms, and ten bays, totalling 3,790 yards in length. The station buildings have an area of 64,600 sq. ft., and apart from numerous railway offices, include six refreshment rooms, dining and tea rooms, and eight waiting rooms.

Double-deck bridge, near Leipzig, German National Railways.

Double-deck bridge, near Leipzig, German National Railways.