Monument record 2578/18/0 - LNWR Steel Works

Opened in 1864 for making steel by the new Bessemer process: the first Bessemer steel rails in the world were laid at Crewe Station in 1861. The Works made rails and later locomotive boilers. Three high rail rolling mill installed in 1892. Bessemer process superseded in 1901. Works closed down, 1932. Now a BR engineering works (1). The site was camouflaged in World War II, with the walls painted with windows and doors to look like terraced house (2). Many of the factories in Crewe were painted to look like terrace housing, like this factory. In World War II the works contributed well to the war effort, producing many items including Tanks for the army. It is now ABB Locomotive works (3).

<1> Ashmore, O, 1982, The Industrial Archaeology of North West England, p.39 (Book). SCH3181.

<2> CBA, 2002, Defence of Britain Project, 2279 (Digital Archive). SCH4380.

<3> Cheshire County Council, 1995, Wartime Cheshire 1939-1945, 48 (Book). SCH4444.