50008_Thunderer

The Bachmann Patriot model of 5551 'The Unknown Warrior' in LMS crimson lake is still very much in the pipeline. It will of course carry the new crest as unveiled on 10th November at Crewe Heritage Centre by Simon Weston. Watch this space as they say! Andy

The Alsager Railway Association, Model Railway Exhibition runs on 10th/11th November at the Legends Conference & Leisure Centre, Bentley Motors Ltd, Crewe, CW2 8WD. A heritage bus is also due to run between Crewe Heritage Centre and the Model Railway Exhibition at the Bentley works in Crewe on both days courtesy of The LMS-Patriot Project. New build Patriot steam locomotive 5551 'The Unknown Warrior' has been moved to Crewe Heritage Centre for its boiler to be trial fitted by Huyton based boiler makers Heritage Boiler Steam Services. Crewe Heritage Centre will be open to the public this weekend as part of the 100th Anniversary of the Armistice commemorations where 5551 and specially brought in Freightliner class 66 'PATRIOT' will be on display courtesy of Freightliner UK/Genesee & Wyoming. Entry to Crewe Heritage Centre is by donation to the LMS-Patriot Project. Crewe Heritage Centre will be open from 10am - 4pm on Saturday and Sunday. More information and special bus times are available from The LMS-Patriot Project: http://www.lms-patriot.org.uk And from the Alsager Railway Association: http://www.alsagerrailwayassociation.co.uk/ara__exhibition.html

Simon Weston CBE will unveil a crest on the new National Memorial engine at an event at Crewe Heritage Centre at 3pm on 10th November to commemorate the centenary of the Armistice. The new build steam locomotive 'The Unknown Warrior' has been built to commemorate all those who fought and died in conflicts since the Great War. The new memorial engine will be decorated with poppies and wreaths for the 100th anniversary of the Armistice on 11th November, recreating a tradition that was seen on Armistice Day in steam days with the original memorial engine named PATRIOT - In Memory of the Fallen. David Bradshaw, Chairman of the LMS-Patriot Project said, "We are honoured that Simon Weston CBE, will unveil a crest on the new national memorial engine 'The Unknown Warrior'. As a serving soldier himself, his bravery and courageousness in the line of duty is exemplified by all those who fought for their country". The project to build the new memorial engine started in 2007 after the original LMS memorial engine and 3 other memorial engines were all scrapped. 5551 'The Unknown Warrior' has been moved to Crewe Heritage Centre for its boiler to be trial fitted by Huyton based boiler makers Heritage Boiler Steam Services. Crewe Heritage Centre will be open to the public this weekend where 5551 and specially brought in Freightliner class 66 'PATRIOT' will be on display courtesy of Freightliner UK/Genesee & Wyoming. A heritage bus is also due to run between Crewe Heritage Centre and the Alsager Model Railway Exhibition at the Bentley works in Crewe. Entry to Crewe Heritage Centre is by donation to the LMS-Patriot Project. Crewe Heritage Centre will be open from 10am - 4pm on Saturday and Sunday. The LMS-Patriot Company, the charitable project that is fundraising to build the new locomotive, has raised over 2 million pounds to date. Welsh Guardsman Simon Weston suffered horrific injuries in the 1982 Falklands Conflict when the ship he was on board, the 'Sir Galahad', was attacked. Simon set up the charitable organisation Weston Spirit, is a motivational speaker and runs a security business. In 2016 Simon Weston became a patron of the LMS-Patriot Project. Further information about The LMS-Patriot Project can be found at: www.lms-patriot.org.uk Further information about Simon Weston CBE can be found at: www.simonweston.com 5551 'The Unknown Warrior' having its new boiler trial fitted at Crewe Heritage Centre on 5th November. Photo by Gavin Shell 66418 PATRIOT, at Crewe. After its naming ceremony on 11th November 2016 at Crewe Basford Hall depot, 66418 was displayed at Crewe Station. Photo by 'Springs Branch'