Above: LNER staff at Grantham in 1920s costume with the CENTURY Azuma train (named at York on 15th May) passing by on the main line (The Grantham Journal)
On Thursday 28th September there was a big surprise in store for people travelling through Grantham station.
During 2023 today's LNER has been celebrating the centenary of the formation of the original L&NER, on 1st January 1923. There have already been events at some of the route's major centres of operation, but the company wanted to include one of the smaller stations in the programme and they chose Grantham. Penny Bond, LNER Internal Communications Manager, explained that "The event is about celebrating our centenary with our customers, who are the very heart of our business."
Tracks through Grantham supporters were invited, and between 09.00 and 13.00 we were treated to:
- a jazz band playing 1920s music
- LNER staff from across the business dressed in 1920s attire
- an exhibition of photos from the 1960s in one of the customer lounges (waiting rooms) prepared with the support of Tracks through Grantham
- a newspaper stand with a copy of the LNER Gazette with LNER facts and history
- historian David Turner in attendance to talk to people about railway history
- a group of re-enactment actors playing 1920s passengers
- re-printed LNER posters from 1923-1924 on display
- London King’s Cross customers receiving replica ticket modelled on a 1923 Edmondson-style ticket.
LNER's Managing Director, David Horne, was present throughout, and the Mayor of Grantham, Councillor Mark Whittington, called in.
To see more of what went on follow these links to online and broadcast coverage, including photographs and video:
- The Grantham Journal LNER flashes back to 1920s at Grantham station as part of 100 year celebrations by reporter Katie Green (with photos, video and two pictures of the customer lounge photo display)
- LNER The Fast Track podcasts by David Dunning – Episode 9: A Journey back in time (see also Episodes 1 to 8 published occasionally since February)
- BBC Radio Lincolnshire Melvyn Prior 28/09/2023 from around 02:19:45 to 02:24:44 (available on BBC Sounds until Saturday 28th October)