Northern is emulating the blue plaque scheme for marking historic sites, by installing blue plaques at historical sites across its 470-station network.
The blue plaque scheme originated in London in 1866. Since then it has grown to inspire blue commemorative plaques up and down the country.
Railways have been making history since the first passenger service opened between Manchester and Liverpool in 1830. They have been the setting for moments of bravery, ingenuity, architectural triumph, and tragedy.
To mark the unveiling of its latest blue plaque, Northern has created a map showing the locations of other historical sites across its network. The plaques are often hidden in plain sight among the hustle and bustle of the station environment. Some s celebrate railway heritage, others commemorate historical figures and unsung heroes, and there's even one honouring a fictional sleuth.
These are the locations of just some of Northern's plaques:
- Chapel-en-le-Frith – Dedicated to John Axon and John Creamer. John Axon was a steam train driver who was posthumously awarded the George Cross after sacrificing his life to prevent a disaster.
- Marple – Celebrates Agatha Christie's character Miss Marple, which was inspired by the name of the town.
- Morpeth – Home to a prestigious National Railway Heritage Awards blue plaque for the refurbishment of the station in 2020.
- Glossop – Describes the station's history, which was opened in 1845 by the Sheffield, Ashton-Under-Lyne & Manchester Railway. This station and the branch line from Dinting were built privately by the Duke of Norfolk.
- Stalybridge – Pays homage to a unique buffet bar which dates from the late-Victorian era and still has many of its original features. There is also a tribute to Fred Wood, who heroically averted a rail disaster in 1907.
- Hexham – Marks the opening of the station in 1835 by the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway.
- Littleborough – Friends of Littleborough Station celebrated the station reaching 175 years by unveiling a plaque in 2014.
- Mytholmroyd – Celebrates the restoration of the Victorian station building into a community hub.
- Newton-Le-Willows – Honours William Huskisson MP, who is known as the world's first casualty on a passenger railway as he was run over and fatally wounded by Robert Stephenson's locomotive Rocket.
- Edge Hill – Commemorates the history of the station, which is considered to be one of the world's oldest passenger railway stations.
- Grange-over-Sands – This plaque is dedicated to the history of the station and its architecture, which is thought to be based on the top floor of the nearby Grange Hotel.
- Knaresborough – Marks the station's National Heritage Railway Award for the transformation of storage rooms into a popular micropub.
