Engine sheds are the beating heart of our heritage railways, and so often are the hidden jewels in their crowns, reports John Titlow in words and pictures.
Railway sheds have always held a fascination for me from a young age after the days I used to bunk King’s Cross shed through a hole in the fence alongside the canal.
Another early memory was driving to Blackpool in 1968 crossing the road bridge overlooking Lostock Hall which was full of ‘Black Fives’ and 8Fs. Sadly I did not have a good camera in those days.
There is nothing more evocative than a steam shed with locomotives either being prepared or disposed of at the end of the working day.
Much of our railway heritage is disappearing and few genuine sheds are now left: many have taken on a completely new use such as industrial workshops, garages and storage.
During the heritage era, sheds have become utilitarian types of buildings similar to warehouses. These buildings, although not as aesthetically pleasing, are essential to keep historic locomotives secure from weather and vandalism, and they also provide a better working environment for volunteers and paid staff.
Sadly health and safety has shut many doors and sheds have become off limits for the general public to just wander in – permission is now essential to gain access. The easiest way now to get it is to volunteer to help your railway.
When heritage lines have their galas, sheds and workshops are often open for the general public to view progress on the work being undertaken. Occasionally there are special open days for guided tours specifically for the public to look around inside. There are also several sheds around the country that can be photographed from public areas.
Photographic charters now give the opportunity to access some on non-public days with permission in a controlled and safe way.
Two original sheds have been turned into excellent museums which still retain their pre-1968 atmosphere – Didcot and Barrow Hill: both offer plenty of photographic opportunities.
One greatest loss for access has to be Carnforth. In the early days of main line running of heritage steam in the 1970s it was wonderful to arrive early before a tour to watch the locomotives being prepared for the day at sunrise. The coaling towers made a super backdrop to the photographs.
Another loss is Dinting which has disappeared off the face of the earth all but completely.
Carnforth
To the general public Carnforth’s station is more famous than its shed due to the 1945 film Brief Encounter. To the enthusiast the shed with its coaling towers is far more romantic.
The shed is on the site of the former Furness Railway depot modernised by the LMS opened in 1944. A 70ft turntable was fitted capable of turning LMS Pacifics.
Carnforth’s iconic landmarks are the two coaling towers built of reinforced concrete, with the mechanisms and chutes comprising mainly of steel. In their day they were considered state-of-the-art technology. They were Grade II listed in 1989 as a recognition of their importance to railway architecture.
The shed lasted until the end of steam on BR but finally closed on August 5, 1968. Thankfully, that was not the end of the story because before steam had finished on the main line Dr Peter Beet formed Steamtown Carnforth and steam locomotives arrived onsite from 1967 onwards.
Steamtown did indeed live up to its name. The site was then developed as a major attraction especially during the early 1970s when it became a mecca for enthusiasts as steam was beginning to make inroads into returning to the main line.
Ironically, Carnforth also became home to French Pacific No. 231K22, German Pacific 012 104-6 and DB 0-6-0T No. 80 014, a very peculiar mix.
At the time, LNER A3 Pacific No. 4472 Flying Scotsman was owned by Sir William McAlpine and in 1974 he became a shareholder in the company making Carnforth the locomotive’s home. Sir William eventually acquired a controlling interest which enabled the site’s purchase from BR.
Eventually Sir William sold his interest to David Smith who then took over Carnforth.
Today it is still a major depot and home to West Coast Railways but is now packed with more carriages than locomotives and public access is not permitted.
Dinting
In the early days of main line steam running in the 1970s Dinting, along with Carnforth was centre stage and was building as an important motive power depot. Steam locomotives were being restored and tours were running through the nearby Hope Valley to Sheffield and further afield.
The original single-road red-brick shed was built in 1888 by the Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway. It could be the only surviving example of a single-road locomotive shed built by the company. It had a pit but capable only of housing a single tender locomotive.
Closed in 1954 the shed fell into disuse but in 1968 it became established by the Bahamas Locomotive Society at the Dinting Railway Centre.
The site expanded rapidly becoming home to Royal Scot No. 46115, Jubilees Nos. 5690 Leander and 5596 Bahamas, LNWR Coal Tank No. 1054, Midland Compound No. 1000 and A2 No. 60532 Blue Peter, and even Flying Scotsman ran tours from the depot. Popular steam open weekends took place.
A second three-road shed was built to house this growing collection. Sadly all was not to last because after a fall-out with the landlord, Dinting Railway Centre closed in 1990 with the main collection moving to Ingrow on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.
Now the venue has returned to nature with only the original shed remaining almost in a wasteland. This state of affairs is a very sad end to what was once a thriving preservation site and having been left derelict for many years, little is ever heard about it now.
Barrow Hill Roundhouse
Unique has to be the best description of Barrow Hill Roundhouse because it is the last surviving operational railway structure of its type in the country, therefore of great importance hence its Grade II listed status.
Built by the Midland Railway and completed in 1870, it was in continual use for 121 years until closure in 1991. Until 1948 it was known as Staveley Engine Shed.
Before closure, Mervyn Allcock and others could see the building was in danger of demolition so formed the Barrow Hill Engine Shed Action Group (later to become the Barrow Hill Engine Shed Society). Listing took place in 1991 and Chesterfield Borough Council became the new owners in 1996.
Finally after many years of hard work the roundhouse opened to the public in 1998. It is open to the public most weekends but if you get the opportunity join a charter, you will not be disappointed.
Barrow Hill is home to several steam and diesel locomotives, some from the National Railway Museum in York.
The Great Western Society at Didcot
There is so much that is good about Didcot Railway Centre but the best has to be the main shed and coaling plant that has changed little even during the heritage era. Both still retain their steam age atmosphere and long may the venue continue to do so.
The shed was built in 1932 by the GWR with four tracks 200ft in length. Each track is designed to house three tender locomotives. Three of the four smoke hoods inside are original, but one was removed by BR before the arrival of the society.
Closure came in 1965 and two years later the Great Western Society took over the site which has expanded considerably over the years.
Cranmore
The late wildlife artist David Shepherd had the shed at Cranmore on the East Somerset Railway built in the early 1970s.
He had acquired BR Standard 9F 2-10-0 No. 92203 Black Prince and BR Standard 4MT 4-6-0 No. 75029 Green Knight. Looking for a home to house them, Cranmore fitted the bill perfectly.
Built to an earlier design the shed has two roads with an inspection pit on one. It is surrounded by a small yard with a footpath leading from Cranmore station. Coaling and watering facilities are now onsite.
Over the years, the shed has weathered in very nicely and is generally open to the public when the railway holds its March steam gala.
Bridgnorth
In steam days there was only a goods shed at Bridgnorth. Everything you see today across from the station was constructed by the Severn Valley Railway.
The main shed does not have a railway history whatsoever. It came from Portskewett near Severn Tunnel Junction and was completed in 1977. It was extended in 1979 utilising the BR diesel depot building from Heaton Mersey, Stockport, which was purchased in 1972. The original goods shed was incorporated into both buildings.
For photography it can be viewed from the station footbridge overlooking the yard, best done in the morning. On the opposite side alongside the car park is a footpath – best in the afternoons for sun. Keep an eye open for open days when guided tours take place behind the scenes.
Rolvenden
Originally there was a shed at Rolvenden on the Kent & East Sussex Railway but it was on the opposite side of the tracks to where the present shed is. Rolvenden is the centre of the K&ESR’s locomotive department with engineering and workshop facilities where restoration of locomotives takes place.
As with all heritage railways, sheds evolve dependent on funds, the ‘new’ two-road shed capable of housing four tank locomotives is on the site of the old goods siding just at the end of the platform.
From the viewing platform overlooking the yard, it is possible to see locomotives being prepared for the day’s duties.
Swanage
Attempting to find exact dates of the compact engine shed at Swanage was difficult in the extreme. The line was built by the LSWR in 1885 so we assume the shed dates from that period. The original turntable outside the shed was 50ft long.
Both ends of the shed are different with the north end retaining the original stone arch. In BR days a M7 0-4-4T overran the turntable demolishing the original southern stone arch, and this was replaced by a straight lintel. A 70ft turntable is now installed.
Here is one of the easiest sheds to photograph with a convenient road bridge overlooking it and the turntable. It is a simple case of picking the right moment when a locomotive is being serviced.
Loughborough
Loughborough shed on the Great Central Railway has gone through many stages during its life. It is presently located over the original Great Central running lines.
Construction of the three-road shed started in 1973 and it is the GCR’s base for locomotive restoration. The building came from RAF Langar airfield near Nottingham
The current thinking is that the shed will have to be relocated when the line is reinstated north to link up with the Great Central Railway (Nottingham) as part of the Reunification project.
Carlisle Upperby
This shed used to be a good starting point to watch steam locomotives being prepared in the 1980s when working southbound over the Carlisle to Settle route. In those days access was never a problem after asking permission.
The LMS roundhouse was demolished in 1979 as were the carriage sheds in 2016. Locomotive Services Limited now uses it as a maintenance depot for its tours.
I have many memories of attempting night shots, then early mornings while steam was raised before the day’s run. By far the best was watching Midland Compound No. 1000 and Jubilee No. 5690 Leander both in maroon livery being prepped.
Marylebone
There was once a shed at Marylebone which capable only of fitting two locomotives inside. It stood on the western side of the line near where the turntable was, almost underneath Rossmore Road bridge.
On the opposite side of the line was the carriage sheds, goods platforms and milk dock. In the 1980s when steam became a regular occurrence out of London to Stratford-upon-Avon. The milk dock and carriage shed was used for servicing purposes.
To fund the modernisation of Marylebone station the carriage shed and milk dock were sold off in the late 1980s for development. Little or nothing of the shed now exists.
Machynlleth
When looking through my collection, I was surprised to find pictures of this shed. It was back in 1987 when steam ran regularly on the Cambrian Coast Line to Barmouth.
Machynlleth shed was opened in 1863 by the Cambrian Railway. It was stone built with two through roads and closed to steam in 1966.
The shed still stands and is used as a cleaning facility.
Haworth
In the steam era, there never was an engine shed here. The present Haworth shed was the original goods shed, situated in the yard alongside Haworth Station, dating back to the opening of the line in 1867, and now fits the bill adequately.
During the heritage era, Haworth has expanded considerably and provides storage facilities, plus is a base for maintaining and overhauling locomotives for the railway.
An overbridge overlooks the shed, and also alongside is a convenient supermarket car park which is very useful for photography. Both provide excellent viewpoints.
Shed tours are due to return in March 2025 costing £5.
Tyseley
Tyseley Locomotive Works, home to Vintage Trains, is another site that has expanded considerably over the years. The original engine shed dating back to 1908 was built by the GWR and was closed in 1966. Despite closure, it has been active since the day it was built.
Considerable work is undertaken on site – not just complete locomotive restoration but construction of new builds. Many new large buildings have been erected over time.
After buying WR 4-6-0 7029 Clun Castle, Pat Whitehouse leased the site as a home for the locomotive. Preservation had begun at Tyseley in 1964 with the arrival of GWR 2-6-2T No. 4555 following its withdrawal from Plymouth Laira in November 1963 and its purchase by Pat Whitehouse and Pat Garland.
Tyseley is now synonymous with its GW Castles running on the main line.
Open days take place and depot tours are available costing £12.
Old Oak Common
Old Oak Common is synonymously linked to Paddington and the expresses that ran down the GWR.
Designed by George Jackson Churchward, it took four years to build and was the largest depot on the entire GWR system opening in 1906. Similar depots were constructed, Tyseley being one example,
It covered a vast area but has now it has disappeared into history after Crossrail and High Speed 2 took over the area. Closure and demolition took place in 2017.
Sheffield Park
When the Bluebell Railway pioneers took over Sheffield Park station in 1960 there was no covered accommodation for locomotives. It was during the heritage era that the railway built its own workshops and sheds.
There was an early single-road shed which eventually made way for a larger one. The existing shed is now a museum and the main workshop is alongside in a separate building.
Major works are undertaken inside and many additions have taken place over the years especially Atlantic House where the new Brighton Atlantic No.32424 Beachy Head was built. Whoever would have ever thought that a completely new locomotive would be built at Sheffield Park?
Toddington
The locomotive shed at Toddington on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway is a large modern building and there is an extensive yard outside where locos are prepared.
Between it and the adjacent narrow-gauge railway is a footpath where you can view the diesel and steam locomotives – something that is best done after midday when the sun is further round.
Guided tours are available for a donation on Tuesdays, and Sundays at 11.45am, 12.55. and 3.05pm. The shed is also open for viewing on gala weekends.
Wansford
No engine sheds existed when the Nene Valley Railway moved onto the site at Wansford, which was virtually a wasteland. Wansford Steam Centre opened in 1974 but much has changed over the years with new sheds constructed capable of restoring steam locomotives. It is now home of the NVR engineering department. Inside there is a viewing gallery which is open on running days.
The extensive yard outside has a turntable alongside the car park and is good for photography most times of the day.
Maespoeth
The Engine Shed at Maespoeth on the Corris Railway was built in 1878 when steam locomotive started working on the railway.
It is still a working shed and its importance is recognised having Grade II listing status.
Grosmont
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway’s locomotive sheds are located immediately south of Grosmont Tunnel, the first brought into use in 1973.
It has facilities for preparing, watering and coaling the locomotives.
A second tunnel dating back to 1835 is used for pedestrian access to the running shed which is open to public for viewing. Tours cost £15.
The deviation shed which houses locomotives and stock owned by the North Eastern Locomotive Preservation Group is also open to the public,
There is a shed shop run by members of the locomotive department.
National Railway Museum, York
Today, it is often overlooked that the National Railway Museum in York was once a steam shed and it is sad the smoke hoods were removed.
The Great Hall as we now know it was shed number four out of the nine in York. It was built in 1877 and closed in 1967. It was then used as storage for steam locomotives from 1968.
After Clapham Transport Museum closed in 1973 and the exhibits moved to York, the museum opened its doors to the public in 1975.
Sheds are great places where you can study the lines of locomotives giving plenty of photographic opportunity. Night photography is another option.
In these days of the internet, you might have thought researching the history of our heritage railways sheds would be an easy task. While compiling this feature, I found that it became a lot more difficult than expected.
In conclusion, it appears the lowly shed, though performing a very important task, seems surprisingly unworthy of being mentioned on many sites, the Severn Valley one being an exception.
To conclude, please do not go wandering around sheds without permission: it would take only one accident to cause severe damage to a heritage railway. Enjoy the atmosphere – but be careful!
Advert
