Cambridge Industrial Archaeology society welcomes Alan Denney who will be sharing his research on the Newmarket and Chesterford Railway which operated for just three years in the middle of the 19th century.
At the height of the Victorian railway mania period, Parliament passed an Act allowing the construction of a railway from Newmarket to a junction with the Eastern Counties Railway at Great Chesterford. The Act also allowed for the building of a branch line from near Six Mile Bottom to Cambridge.
The Newmarket and Chesterford Railway Company had great plans for expansion, but ran out of money. This led to the closure in 1851 of the original section between Great Chesterford and the Junction near Six Mile Bottom, one of the earliest railway closures. Today, only the section from Cambridge to Newmarket still operates.
Alan’s talk is inspired by a photographic survey of the route which he carried out in 1974 recording any physical remains.
Alan’s interest in railways began from an early age. Both his parents worked for Cyril Ridgeon and Son in the 1950s and early 60’s. Ridgeon’s yard and offices were in Tennison Road on land they leased from the railway, adjacent to the Cambridge Locomotive shed and yards. His father had to work Saturday mornings and sometimes he would take Alan along with him. From the upstairs windows in the office block he had a grandstand view of the Locomotive shed and all the activity going on. He was happy to sit and watch all morning!
The talk will take place in the Pye Building at Cambridge Museum of Technology. Entrance on the night is via the Museum’s Cheddars Lane gate.
There will be free light refreshments courtesy of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMECHE)
TICKETS
£5 e-ticket in advance | cash or card on door
£3 (students) on door (cash | card) with valid student card
Members and Volunteers of Cambridge Museum of Technology can attend for free (with membership / volunteer card).
ABOUT CIAG
Cambridge Industrial Archaeology group organises a programme of talks on industrial heritage at Cambridge Museum of Technology. Talks usually take place at 7.30pm on the second Monday of each month. For further information about Cambridge Industrial Archaeology Group contact Robin Chandler robin.chandler@btinternet.com
Visit the Cambridge Industrial Archaeology Group webpage, featuring:
Cambridge Museum of Technology is the home of Cambridge’s industrial heritage. For further information on the Museum contact Nick Plaister nick.plaister@museumoftechnology.com