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By Alison Kay on

Malt by Export Express: Christmas Drinks Assured!

Archivist Alison Kay reveals how the railways kept the drinks flowing for Christmas.

This article from the 1959 British Railways Eastern Region staff magazine describes how the (then) largest fully mechanised malting plant in Europe used private sidings and British Railways ”Export Express delivery” to transport malt around the world for Christmas.

BR Staff Magazine (North Eastern) 1959 (page 320) (library shelf mark 1.0073)BR Staff Magazine (North Eastern) 1959 (page 321) (library shelf mark 1.0073)

BR (North Eastern) Staff Magazine 1959 (page 322) (library shelf mark 1.0073)

The Export Express service guaranteed next day delivery at British ports. Malt distribution from the plant in Knapton, North Yorkshire kept stationmaster Mr Douglas and his two signalmen ”busy all day every day”.

Railway company staff magazines are a fantastic resource for family and social history: you can come and browse them in our library and archive centre

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