Bridgnorth MPD

Bridgnorth

Bridgnorth in 1972 (David Cooke)

Bridgnorth MPD comprises Bridgnorth Loco Works and the associated coaling, watering and storage facilities. It extended to include several rented commercial premises in Station Lane including that known as the Graham Hill building (containing the staff mess room and ESMP offices) and the former David Dexter's car service garage (used for additional storage). As of 2023^[update] work commenced on converting the former ladies' toilet on Bridgnorth station to a new ESMP office, to reduce the commercial rental costs.

In the early days of preservation, the public had free access to the MPD. However after almost two years of discussions, the Health and Safety Executive issued a directive at the start of 1992 banning the public from access to the yard and shed areas.^[1] Since that time the MPD is not normally open to the public except during special events such as the Open House Weekend. At other times a limited view is available from Platform 2 or the footbridge. The 2012 Share Offer prospectus for the Bridgnorth Development Project included a viewing platform, but this was omitted from later plans.

Cowans Sheldon 30-ton steam crane RS 1087 and several well wagons, used to store locomotive boilers and other large parts, are stabled at Bridgnorth MPD.

Bridgnorth Locomotive Yard Appeal

In May 2022 the Charitable Trust launched an appeal to help raise £500,000 to restore Bridgnorth Locomotive Yard. The introduction to the appeal noted that "Bridgnorth Locomotive Yard is used daily for steam locomotive servicing and maintenance - and is the only way to access the Locomotive Works by rail - but it's in desperate need of repair. The current track was laid in the 1970s using second-hand materials and, through extensive care, has lasted 50 years, much longer than expected. However it's now reached the end of its life." It was the subject of the 2022 raffle.

After preparatory work in December 2022, Phase 1 of the project began in January 2023 with work on Cleobury Road Bridge and the turnout leading to Platform 2 and the locomotive yard. The next phase in 2024 involved replacing rails and the turnout on roads 1 and 2 (the roads nearest to the station) using components recovered from Brownhills, plus alterations to the pit on road 2 and levelling the yard^[2].