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Stations, Junctions, etc
Engine Sheds
Other
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Tyseley Shed
Tyseley depot began its life as an operational steam depot
in July 1908, and replaced an earlier and smaller shed located at Bordesley
closer to the centre of Birmingham. It was a Churchward standard brick built
Great Western Railway two turntable shed. The original plans made provision for
a further two turntable shed units (roundhouses) to be added at the rear
(Warwick Road end), but these were never built. On the west side of the shed,
there was a large repair shop (known as ‘the factory’) and this was
equipped with heavy lifting gear, an electric traverser for moving locomotives
between workshop ‘roads’, and various smiths’ shops. Following
the GWR's tradition of standardisation, the whole design was similar to that of
sheds at other locations in the network including Old Oak Common (the main GWR
London shed close to Paddington). The turntables were 65 feet in diameter and
were originally manually operated. The arrangement allowed for the addition of
electrical drive later on if needed (it was needed, and now is electrical).
Twenty-eight engine roads radiated from each turntable and these were all
provided with inspection pits. The roads were of varying length and gave
accommodation for approximately thirty-six tender engines and twenty-eight tank
engines The two turntables were linked internally by one road from each
turntable running through to the corresponding road on the other turntable.
The East roundhouse catered for passenger engines, whilst
the west one catered for goods (freight in 1990's railway parlance) engines.
Tyseley initially was the home of 72 engines with the number of locomotives
allocated growing to approximately 100 by the 1950s reducing to 55 in 1963 when
British Railways (Midland Region) changed its shed code from 84E to 2A and
numbered just three Panier tanks when the shed finally closed in November
1966.Most of these were smaller types and were used for goods duties, local
passenger work and some express work. Tyseley always had to play ‘second
fiddle’ to Wolverhampton Stafford Road, which handled the important
expresses from the West Midlands to London Paddington. Consequently its
allocation of engines was mainly tank engines and mixed traffic types.
Tyseley's existence owed a lot to the opening of the North Warwick Line (also
in 1908) which gave a more direct route between Tyseley South Junction and
Bearley leading on to Stratford, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Bristol, South Wales
and the West Country. The depot was equipped with a standard GWR coal stage
with a two road ramp approach. The coal stage was built in between the entrance
roads to the two roundhouses. Above this was a water tank with a capacity of
98,000 gallons and this supplied all the watering facilities within the yard
and shed.
In 1957 Diesel Multiple Units were introduced by BR's
Western Region (the latter day GWR) on the Birmingham area suburban and local
services. So work began on building a new BR DMU depot and office block on the
extreme west of the site. The freight roundhouse was closed in 1963. In 1964
the GWR works (the factory) was demolished and new Diesel Repair facilities
were built. Steam officially lasted at Tyseley until 1967 with many ex-LMS and
BR locomotive types then appearing on the shed. The new masters (‘the
Midland’ who took control in January 1963) purged the GWR classes by the
end of 1965, or at least tried. Defiant to the end, 'the Western' managed to
hang on in there with a few ex-GWR pannier tanks retained for shunting the
Halesowen Basin. The depot became known as Tyseley Traction Maintenance Depot,
but nevertheless steam engines still continued to visit the site for wheel
turning in the new factory until the ‘final’ demise of steam on BR in
Summer 1968. However, time was running out! The old passenger roundhouse was
deteriorating fast especially as its Siamese twin, the freight roundhouse, had
gone. The passenger roundhouse was demolished by the end of 1968. Fortunately,
the coaling stage building was leased to 7029 Clun Castle Limited and this was
adapted to form a new home for ‘Clun’ and her newly acquired stable
mate LMS Jubilee Class 4-6-0 5593 Kolhapur. A tool room was formed within this
building (which is now known as ‘Top Shed’). Saved! The tradition of
stabling, maintaining and servicing steam engines at Tyseley Loco Depot
continued.
The above was written by Brian Wilson and first published
in 'Steam In Trust', the Journal of The Friends of Birmingham Railway Museum
Number 3 – Summer/Autumn 1998.
Robert Ferris transcribed the following article from
the Great Western Railway Magazine Volume XX No 10 – October 1908
New Locomotive Depot at Tyseley
In consequence of the alterations which have been and are
being, carried out at Birmingham, the Locomotive Department have had to vacate
the old engine shed situated at Bordesley. A new shed has therefore been built
at Tyseley. This new depot is similar to that at Old Oak Common, excepting that
two units have so far been built, but provision has been made for extension in
the future, if necessary. The turntables are 65 feet in diameter, under girder
type, so arranged as to be adaptable for electrical driving if this method be
found desirable later on. Radiating from each turntable are twenty-eight roads,
containing pits varying in length, giving accommodation for approximately
thirty-six tender and twenty-eight tank engines. On the west side of the shed
is a spacious lifting shop 197 feet by 112 feet, containing twelve 52 feet
pits. The shop is provided with an overhead electric crane of 35 tons capacity,
49 feet span, running on roads 23 feet above rail level. In front of the
lifting shop is an electric traverser suitable for dealing with the largest
engines. Electricity will be employed generally as the motive power for the
machinery.
The smiths’ shop contains a spring furnace, six single
smiths’ hearths and open double hearth. Adjoining is the
coppersmiths’ shop and one for carpenters. Stores, shed foreman's offices,
enginemen's messroom, etc. are situated on the north-west side of the shed, and
messrooms for cleaners and mechanics with kitchen and lavatories on the
south-west side. Between the two incoming roads is the coal stage – only
half of which has been erected for the present – with an overhead water
tank having capacity of 98,000 gallons for supplying the whole of the yard and
shed. The tank, in accordance with standard practice, is divided into two, in
order to facilitate cleaning and repairs. Immediately in front of the coal
stage, which is approached by an elevated road 1 in 162, are two 150 feet pits.
A weigh-house is being provided and will be equipped with five of Messrs.
Pooley & Son's latest pattern engine balancing tables. Conveniently
situated at the side of the shed are sand furnaces of the large detached type.
The depot, which is of the Swindon standard design, has been erected by Mr T
Rowbotham under the supervision of the New Works Engineer, the Resident
Engineer being Mr CE Shackle.
Select an image below to view the larger version with
accompanying text:
The LMS and its successor, British Railways, undertook to
film various aspects of operating steam locomotives and other railway
operations. We have provided below links to some of the films related to shed
operation that we know exist. When we ascertain films on GWR operations we
shall add these to the website too. Films on other aspects of railway
operations can be viewed via our Video and
Film Clip section.
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"Wash and Brush Up" 1953
Shows the procedures that a steam
engine goes through as part of its regular maintenance cycle. The locomotive
being featured in the film is a British Railways Standard Class 5MT 4-6-0 No
73020 at 6D Chester (Midland shed. (25 minutes 19 seconds) |
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LMS On the Shed - Part One of Two
Various shots of an engine
being prepared and serviced ready for its next trip. Includes actions and
responsibilities of crew. (9 minutes 44 seconds) |
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LMS On the
Shed - Part Two of Two
Various shots of an engine being prepared and
serviced ready for its next trip. Includes actions and responsibilities of
crew. (9 minutes 31 seconds) |
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