A new poster celebrating Preston Station’s history was unveiled in the Platform 3 waiting room at an event on Saturday 10 February.
In summer 2023, sixth form student Billy Burton was undertaking a placement with the Lancashire Archives and Local History, Preston. With interests in railways and in becoming a journalist, Billy was delighted to take on the task of researching and curating resources for the Preston Station History Poster.
Billy also prepared an audio version of the history poster, which featured at the station’s Remembrance Service in November 2023. Listen to the recording here.
Richard Watts, Chair of Community Rail Lancashire, said: “CRL has developed a series of history posters with the help of local historians and station friends groups and it is great to now unveil one for Preston – a major hub station which is central to the lines we support.
“We are delighted that Billy was keen to sift through the huge volume of history about our city’s mainline station at Lancashire Archives and decide what to focus on, with the finished product now able to be shared with all those visiting the station. Our thanks also go to Peter Fitton who has shared some fantastic photographs he has personally taken at Preston Staton.”
Shirley Ross, Avanti West Coast Station Manager at Preston, said: “For over 180 years, the railway has played an important role in Preston and we’re proud to support the community’s efforts to showcase this as it remains a key hub on our route today.
“By sharing the history of Preston Station with the thousands of people that make rail journeys to and from there each day, we hope they’ll learn something new and feel inspired to find out more about the region’s railway heritage.”
County Councillor Alan Cullens, Chair of Lancashire County Council, said: “This is a wonderful poster that really displays the proud history and fascinating past of our city station. This has been an exciting project, and we are delighted to have worked with Billy and our partners Community Rail Lancashire, Avanti West Coast and Clitheroe Royal Grammar School to bring this invaluable addition to the suite of station history posters at Lancashire stations to fruition.”
View the range of Community Rail Lancashire history posters here.
Keep up to date with future news, projects and events from Community Rail Lancashire via their website.
