Shrewsbury Railway Heritage Trust have organised a two-day exhibition and inviting former Shrewsbury Sentinel workers, local historians and enthusiasts invited to call in and share their memories at the exhibition taking place at the Abbey Station Visitor Centre, Abbey Foregate in Shrewsbury from Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 October, between 10am and 3pm.

It is now 110 years since the Sentinel Waggon Works were opened in Shrewsbury, and a group of steam and engineering fans have decided to get together to celebrate the history and evolution of the famous works in Whitchurch Road. The event is supported by members of the Sentinel Drivers Club who will have their own exhibition displays for visitors.

A wide range of artefacts and photos will be displayed, highlighting the busiest days of this world-famous factory, which during it’s time was later owned by Rolls Royce, England’s most famous and prestigious manufacturer. Former workers are invited to come along and share their memories, which volunteers hope to record with a view to developing a long-term display in a museum in Shrewsbury.

David Morris, SRHT trustee. a local transport enthusiast said ‘‘It is only a relatively short time since engineering work disappeared from this site, but it is becoming worryingly clear that memories are already being lost.  It was once one of the biggest employers in the town, and its products were acknowledged as being the very best in the world.  We feel that the time has now come to start collecting photos and memories before they are lost, especially for future generations. Bob Budden, President of the Sentinel Drivers Club once drove a Sentinel prototype locomotive on the test railway track at Abbey Station and will attend. The Sentinel works remain arguably, one of the most important places in Shropshire’s amazing industrial history. As well as locomotives; Sentinel manufactured tanks, buses and lorries that were sent across the world’’.

The exhibition will have various items on display relating to Sentinel and Rolls Royce, over both days.  Anyone wishing to loan any items or photographs for display at the exhibition should please contact the organisers David Morris on 07773 537564 or at djmfastforward@hotmail.co.uk or Michael Llewellyn 07913 684531 or michael.llewellyn1@btinternet.com