Sheds (not those Canadian ones!!)

D1023 · 16 May 2019

Looking to visit a number of preservation lines this summer in order to see as many loomotives as poss. This brings me onto the question of public access into engine sheds. Locations like the GCR at Loughborough and the Bluebell at Sheffield Park are open to wonder around but from experiance / notation plaves like the ELR at Bury and the Nene Valley don't allow any access.
I guess much of this is H&S related but can anyone advise that lines have open access to their Sheds.
I'm particularly interested in Pontypool and B, Barry Island, Peak Rail at Darley Dale, Bo'ness, Isle of Wight, Dean Forest and North Norfolk but any other open shed info would be great to know.
Thanks all
SDF

RailUK Forums

Trainfan344 · 17 May 2019

Try contacting the railways. They might be willing to get someone to help you look round if you ask nicely.

E759 · 17 May 2019

At Peak Rail two weeks ago the guard said, unprompted, I could wander around the extensive Rowsley South “shed” area. I had no PPE or knowledge of the site and thus considered this well meant offer entirely unprofessional and foolish.

Bluebell: A specific dedicated heritage area is open only. The old shed experience ended a while ago.

Isle of Wight Steam Railway: A specific dedicated heritage area is open only. A view of the shed is possible from the footpath leading to the heritage centre.

North Norfolk: Clearly signed No public access.

Make sure you have an up to date Will, correct PPE and have signed a insurance claim waiver before wandering around any open sheds that any unprofessional private railway invites you into.

Bertie the bus · 17 May 2019

E759 said:
Make sure you have an up to date Will, correct PPE and have signed a insurance claim waiver before wandering around any open sheds that any unprofessional private railway invites you into.

I was made that offer at a preserved railway, not Peak Rail and I certainly won’t be naming it on here, which I took up and unbelievably I’m still alive to type this.

As for the question. Midland Railway Centre has limited access to some of its sheds. K&WVR do regular guided tours – you would need to contact them for details.

Flange Squeal · 17 May 2019

The Watercress Line (Mid-Hants Railway) has locomotive and carriage sheds at Ropley, both of which have public viewing galleries.

Firstof5 · 19 May 2019

Barry has an open day coming up on the bank holiday weekend, there will either be a tour of the ex Barry Railway shed or the steam workshop.

Peter C · 19 May 2019

The Severn Valley Railway has definitely allowed people into the engine shed at Kidderminster during their diesel galas before. I'm not sure if they did that this time (the gala has finished today I think) however. The engine shed, if you can call it that, at Highley on the SVR is open to the public, and there are a few engines in there, but it's definitely a visitor centre and not an engine shed.

-Peter

Peter C · 19 May 2019

Also, the sheds at the GWSR Toddington used to be open. I remember being very happy wandering around the old steam crane and other items years ago, and I also remember being sad when I arrived there recently to see them closed! However, there is a small yard around the back of the sheds, which is open to the public. The access path is a wide dirt track to the right of the sheds and also provides a different view of the narrow gauge railway there. The diesel shed is open sometimes for special galas I think.
In terms of the SVR, I know that there is an engine shed at Bridgnorth, but when they open it to the public, if ever, I do not know. I hope any of this information helps.

-Peter

Alanko · 19 May 2019

D1023 said:
...Bo'ness...

I called into Bo'Ness today after stalking Flying Scotsman around the Forth. It isn't the Bo'ness of my childhood! They run a tighter ship now, unless my memory is very selective. As I mentioned in a different thread, I recall wandering around 'in the four foot' there when I was a kid.

I doubt you can see much of what is in the Bo'ness sheds unless there is a special site visit event or something. I went on the public footpath around the back of the site and saw a clean example of a Class 20 in BR Blue (apparently broken at the moment), but not much else.

Glen M · 20 May 2019

E759 said:
Bluebell: A specific dedicated heritage area is open only. The old shed experience ended a while ago.

Not entirely true - the whole shed is still open however it has been renovated as stated, access to the south end and to the area in front of the yard and works is still accessible as has been the way since the rest of the yard was shut due to the no win no fee brigade causing insurance prices to skyrocket back in the mid 2000's

EbbwJunction1 · 20 May 2019

The Vale of Rheidol's loco works at Aberystwyth has a very good tour which is centred around the viewing platform on the second floor, from which you can see all the work that's going on. There's no access as far as I know to the shed next door, though.

Bensonby · 20 May 2019

I’m not sure it counts but I really enjoyed the experience of walking around the Shed at the Didcot Railway Centre a few years ago. It really had that “working” feel about it.

Peter C · 20 May 2019

Bensonby said:
I’m not sure it counts but I really enjoyed the experience of walking around the Shed at the Didcot Railway Centre a few years ago. It really had that “working” feel about it.

Oh yes - Didcot is very, very good. They still do work around the back (no public access to my knowledge) and they always have some (rickety) wooden steps to get into the cabs of certain locos and have a butchers! The shed is really one of the main attractions at Didcot, and the centre, being an old rail yard, is right next to the modern GWML; so easy access from anywhere, really.

-Peter

EbbwJunction1 · 20 May 2019

Yes, I was at Didcot a couple of weeks ago, and it was very good. You do have to watch your step in places, but as long as you do, you'll be fine.

Sheds (not those Canadian ones!!)

D1023

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Trainfan344

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E759

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Bertie the bus

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Flange Squeal

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Firstof5

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Peter C

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Peter C

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Alanko

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Glen M

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EbbwJunction1

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Bensonby

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Peter C

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EbbwJunction1

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