FROM THE ARCHIVES: SALFORD'S LAST EVER STEAM TRAIN PUFFS TO A HALT

The train, number 46257 was was built at the Crewe Railway Works in 1948. 

For those of a certain age, when steam trains were still operating, trainspotting was hugely popular with men and children of all ages. 

They'd wait patiently at train stations throughout the country to spot a train and note its number, writing down the result in their Ian Allan train book. 

I recall from my trainspotting days several makes and nicknames including Jubilee, Mickeys, Patriots, and the highly coveted Britania class. 

We nicknamed the Coronation class "Winnies" because they had a semi-streamlined windshield at the front. 

The local papers of March 1965 tell the story of how the City of Salford made one last sentimental journey when restored to her former glory. 

Polished to a mirror shine she was chosen to carry Miss Norma Corrigan - Britain's Railway Queen - to a reception at Manchester Victoria Station. 

At the Mayor's parlour in Bexley Square, Mr C.P. Millard, Divisional Manager of British Rail, presented the steam train's nameplate to the Mayor, Alderman Joseph Davies. 

The gift was later on handed on to Alderman Shlosberg, the Chairman of the Art Galleries, Museums and Libraries. 

Mr Millard from British Rail told the Mayor that the City of Salford had given grand service and in her time had probably headed a train carrying the Queen. 

Shlosberg recalled that he too had travelled on a West Coast route in a train hauled by the City of Salford and spoke nostalgically of bygone days being replaced. 

He told the Salford City Reporter: "Salford too is being modernised and I hope that one day a new engine would bear the name of Salford as an advertisement not only for the railway but for the city." 

What SalfordOnline.com would like to know is: Where is that nameplate today? 

I have read dozens of articles of exhibitions at Monks Hall Museum in Eccles where various artefacts including war memorials were donated to the City Council. 

Are they hidden away in the cellars at Salford Museum and Art Gallery? 

I certainly hope so. 

I think it would be a great idea for the staff there to have a look at their collections in the vaults and display some of these treasures that we have read about but never have seen in a special display, I'm certain it would be a great success. 

This article first appeared on SalfordOnline on the 9th of March 2015, it is reproduced here courtesy of its author Tony 'Fat Controller' Flynn.