Doncaster has a long and proud heritage when it comes to railways.
The South Yorkshire town is well known across the world after being the birthplace to some iconic steam trains such as the Mallard and the Flying Scotsman. The Doncaster Works was at the forefront of the UK's steam revolution during the 19th and early 20th century building the trains that would grace the tracks across the country.
This week sees Doncaster celebrate its famous railway heritage and one of the star attraction is an Aladdin's cave style room of memorabilia. Sat atop a spiral staircase in the clock tower of the town's Hall Cross Academy is an extensive collection of everything great about the history of railways in Doncaster.
Yorkshire Post reports that the room is filled with everything from railway signs to signal plates to newspaper cuttings and other paraphernalia which was associated with the golden age of steam railway in the UK. While it has been hidden away for years, the room will be open to the public as part of a special event to celebrate Doncaster's railway history.
Colin Joy, Doncaster's tourism manager, told the news provider: "York has the National Railway Museum and we would not seek to copy it, but this collection is worthy of a museum in itself and rail is such a huge part of Doncaster’s history.
"It’s so exciting for us to have some of these items to show, the long term plan is for us to have them on display permanently.”
One of the prized possessions in this collection is the original nameplates designed by famous engineer Sir Nigel Gresley. The 'Cock O' The North' designs were first introduced between 1993 and 1936 and attached to the biggest ever steam locomotive to haul passenger trains in the UK.
The LNER Class P2 engine was used to pull trains on the harsh Edinburgh to Aberdeen lines.