Bridgnorth Loco Works
The Loco Works is normally closed to the public, although the Loco Shed and Machine Shop may be open for viewing during Gala events including the Open House Weekend and Peep Behind the Scenes.
View of Bridgnorth MPD including the loco shed, machine shop and boiler shop
Contents
Loco Shed
Construction of the loco shed began in March 1976 using parts of the former Portskewett Shed acquired for that purpose, with the pits being dug the following November and the building completed in April 1977[1]. The former Heaton Mersey shed was added in 1978 to the rear of the ex-Portskewett Shed, adjacent to the Goods Shed[2]. That summer also saw an upgrade to the loco shed, including the installation of roller shutter doors, side windows to improve lighting, and an enclosed paint shop.
Interior view of the loco shed with 42968 on the wheel drop (Wikimedia Commons)
The wheel drop award on display in the Loco Works
Wheel drop
The loco shed includes a wheel drop which was formerly located at the Leicester Midland MPD (shed 15C). This was purchased and installed following an appeal for funds launched in summer 2009. Installation involved digging a hole 6m deep, relocating a mains water pipe and pouring 200m3 of concrete.[3] The wheel drop won the National Railway Heritage Awards FirstGroup Skills Award in 2010[4]
This series of photos shows the wheel drop in use to remove a tender wheelset from GWR 7812 Erlestoke Manor
Machine Shop
The Loco Works’ machine shop is located in the former Bridgnorth Goods Shed adjacent to the loco shed.
The machine shop includes a Noble and Lund wheel lathe, acquired from BR’s Derby Loco Works in 1972.
The Noble and Lund wheel lathe
Boiler shop
To the rear of the machine Shop and loco Shed is the boiler shop which was opened by HRH The Duke of Gloucester in October 1990 - before that time riveting of boilers was carried out in the open air!