ABSTRACT

The railway town as a specific urban genus is all but dead. A product of the Age of Steam, it lasted approximately 150 years. Towns created by the railway, such as Crewe and Swindon, exist of course, but although the railways made them and shaped them, they are no longer totally dominated by such an economy. Crewe Works exist, although much reduced in size. The 150th anniversary of the railway coming to Crewe was celebrated in 1987 with the opening of the Crewe Heritage Centre, but the town's 150th birthday in 1993 was a very low-key event, despite the best endeavour of many local people, especially the members of the local historical society. Railway company paternalism and along with this railway town politics have also come to an end, as have influence politics. This case study of Crewe, its Company and its people during the 19th and early 20th century throws new light on how paternalism and politics really functioned.