Thomas Peckett Blue Plaque Unveiling at WX

Our Vice Chair, Chris, attended the unveiling of Thomas Peckett's blue plaque at WX in celebration of Wakefield's railway heritage. In addition to representing LonGBoaT Wakefield with our information and merch stall, alongside volunteer David, and Chair David Swyer; a presentation was given about our efforts as part of the  Kirkgate Station Adoption project.

Photograph of the blue plaque that was unveiled for Thomas Peckett (1834-1891) Locomotive Builder.

Information from Wakefield Civic Society about the plaque and event:

This plaque commemorates Thomas Peckett, a Wakefield-born (1834) businessman who went on to establish the company of Peckett and Sons which made a range of industrial steam locomotives in the latter part of the 19th century through to the 1960s from their works in Bristol.

Photograph of the Hornby Peckett & Sons 560W4 Locomotive green model train.

The plaque was funded by three members of the current Peckett family who are related (third cousins, three and four times removed) to Thomas Peckett, with a contribution also being made by Wakefield Railway Modellers' Society.

Photograph of Chris talking to members of the public during the event.

The unveiling was part of a bigger event organised by the Society to celebrate some of Wakefield's railway heritage as part of Railway200.

Guest speakers were Tony Wade, Chris Hughes for Longboat Group, Chris Mead for Wakefield Railway Modellers' Society, the Mayor of Wakefield, Councillor Maureen Tennant-King, and our President, Kevin Trickett. We also had a video insert from Hornby Model Railways who generously donated a model of a typical Peckett locomotive from their range of Peckett locos.

Photograph of the inside of WX. Chris is providing a talk about the LonGBoaT Wakefield and the Station Adoption Scheme.

In addition, we had a number of exhibitors: Wakefield Historical Society, Pontefract Civic Society, Horbury Civic Society, Longboat Group, Wakefield Railway Modellers' Society, Wakefield Museum, and Tony Wade.

We were delighted to welcome over 100 people to the event which was enjoyed by all.