blue plaque has been unveiled at Ashburys station in Greater Manchester to honour a railway historian and journalist’s life-long dedication to the railway.
Paul Abell, who sadly passed away in 2021, was a member of the Friends of Glossop station group and was an integral part of the railway community.
He was a key player in a project to install a heritage board on each station along the Glossop line, writing the information for Gorton and Ashburys himself, having grown up in the area.
Paul was also editor of Today’s Railways UK magazine and vice president of advocacy group Railfuture.
Chris Jackson, regional director at Northern said: “This plaque is a wonderful memorial to Paul, who was an important member of our community and is a reminder of his passion for the heritage and history of the railway.”
The installation of the blue plaque was organised by Neil Williams from Friends of Glossop station and funded by the group as well as other community partners.
Northern has also published a map showing the locations of the other historical sites across its 470-station network – perfect for passengers looking to explore more of the train operator’s network in the new year.
Often hidden in plain sight among the hustle and bustle of the station environment, some blue plaques celebrate railway heritage while others commemorate historical figures and unsung heroes – and there is even one honouring a fictional sleuth.
