Crewe built steam train that once hauled the funeral train of King George VI draws crowds at Alsager station

By Deborah Bowyer 28th Apr 2022

Local News by Deborah Bowyer 28th Apr 2022

Train enthusiasts had a treat when a steam train passed through Alsager station twice in one day.

Crowds gathered to see Pacific Class 70000 Britannia coming back through Alsager last night (Wednesday) creating a puff of smoke as she went.

The train headed through Alsager in the morning and then back again following a day trip which saw a packed platform at Alsager.

Britannia was built in Crewe and pulled the funeral train of King George VI from Norfolk to London following his death in February 1952.

The engine was completed at a cost of £20,325.

It was trialled between Crewe and Carlisle to begin with and re-entered Crewe Works for its final point finish of Brunswick Green, lined out with orange and black.

On February 11, 1952, the 70000 Britannia pulled the funeral train of King George VI from Norfolk to London following his death in February 1952.

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It was withdrawn from service in May 1966.

The locomotive returned to Crewe in January 2022 before going to Severn Valley Railway.

One month later it came back to Crewe and had a west run on the main line.

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