10A Carnforth MPD

Carnforth MPD which began life in 1942 when constructed by Italian POW's and completed in 1944, saw a life of just 24 years when it was closed in 1968 at the end of steam. 10A is today the only remaining British Rail Steam Locomotive Shed still standing in not just the north west but the UK. It can still today in 2015 store steam locomotives as the site is today used by West Coast Railways and today houses engines like 5972, 44932, 45231, 45690, 45699, 46115, 48151, etc. The site is home to the only surviving coaling and ash plant towers which today are now no longer used due to their poor condition as both are suffering from Concrete Cancer.

The site was last open to the public in 2008 for an open day during the 40th anniversary of the ending of steam on British Railways. No open days have been held on the site since and it's now almost impossible for members of the public to visit the once busy steam shed due to H&S regulations, some people I know have visited the site or work on it but they are either WCRC employed or work on a support crew.

I Know it's unlikely to ever happen as it might be too unsafe due to the amount of H&S regulations but I would love to see an open weekend happen on the former 10A shed with a number of steam engines in steam including a visitor or 2 if viable, if it were to happen I know I would certainly be attending.

 

Aberystwyth and Tunbridge Wells still in use....
Tunbridge Wells-The headquarters of the Railway, the 1886-built engine shed is a unique survivor from the age of steam. It's the only one left from the many which used to exist in the south of England still performing its original purpose.

Is the coaling tower at IM still in existence?

 

the good old days of steamtown , my summer holiday treat from my parents were you could get footplate rides on the flyingscotsman for 50p , i still have the ticket ! Unlimited access to the shed and the yard and some amazing shops , re collectors corner and the book shop it was a amazing plce in the 70s

 

Camden Roundhouse still survives, although now has nothing to do with railways. The shed at St Blazey still survives

 

A roundhouse at Derby also exists; also not used for rail. Don't forget Barrow Hill either

 

As far as I know I still think IM has its towers.

 

Southall?

 

Millhouses, Mold Junction, Stafford and Bangor are all still standing.

 

More than you might think !

http://www.engineshedsociety.co.uk/Good Shed Guide.htm

 

From the days when you could just wander round Steamtown. It had some rather exotic residents then - a French and a German pacific plus the little BR80 tank.

 

The old Midland Railway Shed at Carnforth survives on the other side of the town........

Cheers

Alan

 

I Was on about it being the only shed to still have the coaling and ash plants as these are the only full size survivors in Britain. I was aware of Tyseley but it's a shadow of the size it once was and the roundhouses are gone. With Carnforth the current standing shed was constructed around 1942.

 

Several years ago much of the 1942 shed was unusable or inaccessible due to a dangerous roof IIRC. Is that still the case?

 

A lot of the roof of the shed has been suffering from concrete rot for decades. I remember during the 1980s seeing netting suspended below the roof to catch any falling concrete pieces. I presume that it is still hanging there as the repairs were felt to be expensive to contemplate, however, the shed was still being used for loco storage.

Cheers

Alan

 

Err, I know Billy and I have filled it with wagons for the last couple of momths, but its not that long ago that I last prepped a loco in Swanage shed! I appreciate its not quite the same scale as some of the other sheds mentioned though.