Summary
Workshop built by the London and North Western Railway shortly after 1903 for maintaining railway rolling stock, subsequently forming part of the modernised Motive Power Depot built for the London Midland Scottish Railway in 1938-44, being the last British Rail depot closed to steam locomotives in 1968.
Reasons for Designation
The former wagon repair workshop at Carnforth is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* Rarity and survival: a well preserved, relatively rare example of a pre-First World War railway maintenance workshop;
* Historical: a London and North Western Railway building which survived the redevelopment of the Motive Power Depot in 1939-44, a historical marker of Carnforth's long connection with the railways;
* Group value: part of a remarkably complete survival of a steam-age Motive Power Depot, providing an interesting contrast with the modernist structures built subsequently by the London Midland Scottish Railway.
History
In 1846 the first railway station was opened at Carnforth as a simple wayside halt. By 1880 it had become an important junction between the London and North Western Railway's (LNWR) London to Glasgow main line, the Furness Railway to Furness and the joint Furness Midland Railway to Leeds, with all three railway companies having servicing facilities for their locomotives at the junction. With the formation of the London Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) in 1923, Carnforth passed into single ownership, remaining an important junction and centre for the servicing and stabling of locomotives. In 1938-44 the LMS modernised the depot to conform to their standard depot layout developed in 1933, designed to efficiently service and stable large numbers of steam locomotives. Carnforth was the last Motive Power Depot in the country to close to steam locomotives in August 1968, finally closing to all British Rail traffic in March 1969. However from December 1968, Carnforth became a base for steam locomotive preservation, developing as Steamtown (a museum and steam locomotive restoration facility) and from the late 1990s forming the base of West Coast Railways which operates private charter trains hauled by both steam and diesel traction.
Details
Former wagon repair workshop, circa 1903 for the London and North Western Railway.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
355229
Legacy System:
LBS
Sources
Books and journals
Legal
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
End of official list entry
