Coventry Shed

LMS Route: Rugby to Wolverhampton
LMS Route: Nuneaton to Leamington

Coventry's first engine shed was built in 1838 at the same time as the London to Birmingham Railway opened their station as seen illustrated in Gerald Broom's superb painting which features both the station and 'Engine House'. It was allegedly used by the Midland Railway after the LNWR built a new shed in 1867, sited alongside Quinton Road and in the vee of the Leamington junction with the main line to London. The London & Birmingham 'Engine House' was described by Francis Whishaw in his book 'The Railways of Great Britain and Ireland' with the following comment: There is an locomotive engine house at Coventry to hold one engine and tender with folding gates at the entrance; within these are a smith's forge, anvil and bench. In their book LMS Engine Sheds - Volume One - The LNWR Chris Hawkins and George Reeve state that 'the 1867 building, which was a non-standard design, had a pitched slated roof with two arched entrances. In 1897 the shed was doubled in size, after Webb had complained that the allocation of eight locomotives was too great for the room available. The extension was based upon the original design although the front of the shed was opened up by the use of lintels and cast iron columns supporting the front gable roof. According to Hawkins and Reeve, the 1897 extension made use of the materials being dismantled at Crewe.

Whilst the enlarged shed was provided with a 42 foot turntable the other maintenance and service facilities were still very basic. The coaling of locomotives was undertaken manually. The coal being transferred directly from the coal wagon into the locomotive although a coaling shelter was provided on the side of the shed to provide some protection from inclement weather. Coventry shed was a sub-shed of Rugby and whilst the city was significantly larger and more prosperous than its near neighbours of Rugby and Nuneaton, it was always a second division shed. Its locomotives were in the main allocated to local workings in the area, primarily mineral traffic, and any major servicing and repairs were carried out at Rugby some ten miles away. The turntable was replaced by a 57 foot turntable during its LMS ownership on a site slightly to the north of the original 42 foot turntable. It wasn't until the mid-fifties that the decrepid state of the shed was tackled by British Railways who built a modern and airy structure of brick walls and corrugated steel to the front elevation. Coaling was also addressed by being part mechanised through the provision of a coal conveyor belt which allowed coal to be loaded by hand into its hopper and then up via the belt where it fell into the locomotive's tender or bunker. However this modernisation occurred at the same time as the shed saw a significant loss of traffic as the short workings it specialised in were affected by the growth of motor transport and it eventually closed on 17th November 1958 along with the shed in Milverton, Warwick. The shed was then used for many years to store condemned locomotives, some being marooned during the rebuilding of the station and the new power signal box by contractors cut off the yard.

The London & Birmingham Railway's Engine House located at Coventry Station

Ref: broom2 G Broom GRA Looking towards Birmingham with the 1838 L&BR engine shed on the left and the original station on the right

Ref: lnwrcov596a BR Close up showing the London and Birmingham Railway pump house that was sited at the rear of the engine shed

Ref: lnwrcov604 HW Robinson The L&B locomotive shed on the left, Coventry No 2 Signal box in the centre and the parcel bay on the right

Ref: lnwrcov2768c Ordnance Survey Close up of the 1920 OS map showing the location of the London & Birmingham Engine House erected in 1838

The L&NWR 1867 'Stafford designed' Locomotive Steam Shed erected at Coventry

Ref: lnwrcov2789 LNWR Front elevation of the 1867 Coventry Locomotive Steam Shed designed by Stafford drawing office

Ref: lnwrcov2791 LNWR Part of side elevation of the 1867 Coventry Locomotive Steam Shed designed by Stafford drawing office

Ref: lnwrcov2790 LNWR The front section of the side elevation of the Locomotive Steam Shed designed by Stafford drawing office

The enlarged and modified L&NWR's 1897 Locomotive Steam Shed erected at Coventry

Ref: lnwrcov655 B Matthews A classic view of Coventry shed and yard with LMS coal wagons and ex-LNWR and LMS locomotives on shed

Ref: lnwrcov655a B Matthews Close up showing an ex-LNWR Webb 1P 2-4-2T standing next to the watercrane having been coaled

Ref: lnwrcov655b B Matthews Close up of LMS 4P Compound 4-4-0 No 1172 and unidentified ex-LNWR 0-8-0 G2 class locomotive

Ref: lnwrcov1582 VR Webster Ex-LNWR 0-8-0 class G2 No 9429 and ex-LNWR class G2a No 9340 in steam standing in front of Coventry shed

Ref: lnwrcov1590 R Reed Ex-LMS 2-6-0 2MT No 46446 is seen standing in front of an unidentified ex-LNWR 0-8-0 'Super D' locomotive

Ref: lnwrcov650 Anon BR built 2MT 2-6-2T No 41236 stands outside the original shed next to an unidentified ex-LMS 0-6-0 4F locomotive

Ref: lnwrcov1589 Weston Collection Ex-LMS 2-6-2T 3MT No 40157 is seen standing in line with ex-LNWR 0-8-0 7F No 49424 outside the shed

Ref: lnwrcov1587 R Reed Ex-LMS 2-6-4T 4P No 42541 & ex-LMS 2-6-0 2MT No 46445 standing with other engines at Coventry's old shed

Ref: lnwrcov674 HW Robinson Ex-LMS 2-6-2T 3MT is still carrying LMS No 204 whilst ex-LNWR 1P 2-4-2T carries its new BR No 46749

Ref: lnwrcov2777 HF Wheeller Ex-LMS 4P Compound 4-4-0 No 41122 receives attention to its outside cylinders outside Coventry shed

Ref: lnwrcov1582a VR Webster Close up showing the loco coal wagons being placed on the coal bank beneath Coventry's coaling shelter

Ref: lnwrcov650a Anon Close up showing the coal picker and coal shovel hanging on either side of the gas lit lamppost

Ref: lnwrcov650b Anon Close up showing the remodelled shed entrance and the inspection pits located outside the shed

Ref: lnwrcov675 Anon BR built 2-6-0 2MT No 46445 stands with its tender inside Coventry shed amongst several other goods engines

Ref: lnwrcov662 Anon Ex-LMS 2-6-4T 4MT No 42577 is seen in steam standing on road 4 in line in front of two ex-LNWR 0-8-0 'Super Ds'

Ref: lnwrcov654 Anon Ex-LMS Fowler 2-6-2T No 40002 is seen on shed in company with another LMS locomotive

The 1956 British Railways rebuilt shed

Ref: lnwrcov666 H C Casserley The new British Railways built shed and a mixture of ex-LMS and ex-LNWR goods and mixed traffic locomotives

Ref: lnwrcov666a H C Casserley Close up showing an ex-LMS 2MT 2-6-0 locomotive being coaled by Coventry's new conveyor belt

Ref: lnwrcov664 Anon Ex-LMS 2-8-0 8F No 48616 comes off Coventry shed having been serviced, coaled and watered

Ref: lnwrcov664a Anon Close up of the rear wall of the shed showing the various notice boards and the doors to the offices and workshops

Ref: lnwrcov672 Anon A general view of the British Railways rebuilt shed at Coventry with only LMS designed locomotives in view

Ref: lnwrcov672a Anon Close up showing the new coaling arrangements comprising single road shelter and a coal conveyor

Ref: lnwrcov657 Anon Ex-LMS 8F 2-8-0 No 48723 pilots an unidentified member of the same class coming off shed after being coaled

Ref: lnwrcov658 Anon BR 4-6-2 7MT No 70022 'Tornado' is seen in a very dirty condition standing on Coventry shed's coal road

The carriage sidings

Ref: lnwrcov647a J Hyde Close up showing a DMU standing in the carriage sidings which were located opposite the shed

Ref: lnwrcov1588a R Blenkinsop Close up showing ex-LMS 2-6-2T 3MT No 40205 reversing empty coaching stock into the carriage sidings

Locomotives seen on shed

Ref: lnwrcov652 LGRP Ex-LNWR 4-4-0 3P George V class No 5320 'George V' is seen standing on the coaling road in front of Coventry shed

Ref: lnwrcov1586 Weston Collection Ex-LMS 4-6-0 5XP No 5533 'Lord Rathmore' is seen being turned on Coventry shed's 57 foot turntable

Ref: lnwrcov673 Anon Ex-LNWR 4P 4-6-2T No 6980 stands fully coaled and watered on 12th May 1934 in front of Quinton Road fence

Ref: lnwrcov1588 R Blenkinsop Ex-LNWR 2-4-2T 1P No 46654 is seen near to ex-MR 0-6-0 2F No 58217 and ex-LMS 2-6-2T 3MT No 40205

Ref: lnwrcov651 Anon Ex-LMS 2-6-0 2MT No 46420 stands in front of an unknown ex-LNWR 0-8-0 and an ex-LMS 2-8-0 8F locomotive

Ref: lnwrcov677 Anon Ex-LMS 2-6-4T 4MT No 42573 standing in front of Coventry shed with an unidentified ex-LNWR 0-8-0 'Super D'

Ref: lnwrcov233 Anon Ex-LMS 4-6-0 5XP No 45601 'British Guiana', turned on the turntable, now stands next to ex-LMS 2-6-4T No 42309

Ref: lnwrcov667 Anon An unidentified ex-LNWR 0-8-0 7F 'Super D' locomotive standing cold inside of Coventry's new shed on a Sunday

Ref: lnwrcov665 Anon A very grimy ex-LNWR 7F 0-8-0 'Super D' is seen standing in line with an unknown ex-LMS 0-4-4T behind its tender

Ref: lnwrcov661 R Reed Ex-LMS 4MT 2-6-4T No 42669 stands alongside ex-LMS 2-6-0 No 46420 and an unknown ex-LMS 2-8-0 8F locomotive

Locomotives stored at Coventry Shed

Ref: lnwrcov649 Anon Another view of ex-LMS 0-4-4T 2P No 41902 this time in store at the head of an ex-LMS ventilated van

Ref: lnwrcov660 Anon Ex-LMS 5XP 4-6-0 No 45624 'St Helena' and No 45599 'Bechuanaland' stand stored outside of Coventry shed

Ref: lnwrcov678 Anon Another view of ex-LMS 4-6-0 Jubilee class No 45599 'Bechuanaland' standing with other withdrawn locomotives

Ref: lnwrcov648 Anon Another view of ex-LMS 4-6-0 Jubilee class No 45599 'Bechuanaland' standing with other withdrawn locomotives

Ref: lnwrcov656 Anon Coventry's BR built shed storing withdrawn locomotives including in this view three ex-LMS 2P 4-4-0 locomotives

Ref: lnwrcov669 Anon Three ex-LMS 4-4-0 2Ps including Nos 40694, 40699 in store outside of Coventry's shed on 26th April 1960

Ref: lnwrcov671 Anon Ex-LMS 4-4-0 2P No 40657 is seen to the rear of an unidentified class mate inside Coventry's new shed

Ref: lnwrcov668 Anon A line of condemned ex-LMS locomotives, a 4MT 2-6-4T, two 2P 4-4-0 standing in in front of the closed shed

Ref: lnwrcov2787 J Hyde Ex-LMS 5XP 4-6-0 No 45723 'Fearless' and ex-LMS 4P 2-6-4T No 42586 stand smokebox to smokebox with each other

Ref: lnwrcov2786 J Hyde Another view of ex-LMS 5XP Jubilee Class 4-6-0 No 45599 'Bechuanaland' lying in store at Coventry shed

Ref: lnwrcov663 Anon Ex-LMS 4MT 2-6-4T No 42669 is standing in front of ex-LMS 0-4-4T 1P No 41902 which hs its chimney removed

Ref: lnwrcov1585 Anon View of ex-LMS 0-4-4T 2P No 41909 having had its chimney removed after its sale to Dick Blenkinsop

Maps of Coventry shed circa 1920

Ref: lnwrcov2767 Ordnance Survey Layout of Coventry Shed in 1920 showing the original 42 foot turntable being accessed direct from the coaling road

Ref: lnwrcov2788 Preston Hendry Layout of Coventry Shed post WWI showing its proximity to the carriage sidings and the Leamington branch line

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. Films on other aspects of railway operations can be viewed via our Video and Film Clip section.

	"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)
	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)
	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)