The Merchant Navy class certainly did so.
Lovely. Thanks for that.
The Merchant Navy class certainly did so.
Yes it is a new roof with lots of glazing panels in. There is also automatic zoned (LED??) lighting which comes on as you move into the zone and then goes off as you move out.
Personally, I hope not! Such an arrangement would completely destroy the aesthetic of Loughborough Central as a through station. But having said that, I've read about the plan to relocate the shed to the west of the original running lines formation and thought, "really?" It would be a very narrow shed as far as I can see. I really can't see an ideal solution if the shed has to be retained on this site.Hi Andy
I Think the plan must be for a single line to run round the West side of the shed. Then it will go to a double track over the canal bridge and along the, to be built, embankment. then single track at the back of PreciSpark and over the tip road, car park and MML bridge. Then it runs parallel to the chord line and over the A 60 bridge to then join as a single track North to East Leake and Ruddington.
It is not ideal, but it does give space to store a train and stop Loughborough snarling up if there are delays to the North. Access to the shed and coal stock is a particular problem.
There is building work for offices etc starting to happen on the East side of the shed.
NOTE this is only what I think could be happening given the various constraints.....There is no definite "official" plan that I know about.
Running through the shed was always a diagrammatic/indicative/concept/fantasy (delete as appropriate!).
What is definite is that the reunification project is happening - hopefully the "Factory Flyover" will be started by the end of this year.
There was plenty of steelwork at Swithland, most of which quietly went in the scrap skip.Hi Ashley
Ahh the Workington Shed...Yes parts of it were removed when it was demolished - one or a few(?) van loads, which did get put into store somewhere in Loughborough (?).
When a proper ground investigation was done by the tip site (NE of Loughborough shed) it was found to be contaminated and unsuitable for building on - unless a lot of prep ground working( = Expensive!!). Needless to say Lots of alternatives for the engine shed site have been considered but, for various reasons - not the least are planning issues for industrial work areas, we are having to work around where it is now.
I don't really see why a single line around the shed, 300yards North of the station affects its aesthetic?Personally, I hope not! Such an arrangement would completely destroy the aesthetic of Loughborough Central as a through station. But having said that, I've read about the plan to relocate the shed to the west of the original running lines formation and thought, "really?" It would be a very narrow shed as far as I can see. I really can't see an ideal solution if the shed has to be retained on this site.
If they ever want to fully redevelop the site as housing, it’s possible that local authority planners could push them into providing something for the preserved railway as ‘community benefit’. I think having something to reflect the history of the site would be important. I suspect the main distinctive building is listed but likely too far to be connected without a large land take. The smaller shed/compound in top corner looks a more practical. All a bit fantasy land though.I don't think the company running the site, nor the landlords that they work for, would be the slightest bit interested in anything like this - since the break up and disposal of the site, it's all about getting new tenants in the various shops at the highest rent possible.
Although, in a fantasy world, having a line gradually run down from the embankment into the brush works is appealing - similar to the line that ran down from Kegworth Station and round in a loop to the gypsum works at Kingston on Soar
I think the chances of housing ever being developed on that site are as near to zero as you could get - the sheer amount needed to be spent on decontamination alone would be crippling. A portion of the site is also at risk of flooding (as it does regularly) and the only "Brush" company left on that site has just announced a substantial investment (in the millions) to increase and create new manufacturing capabilities - so taking all things into consideration any future leisure/housing use would seem to be very unlikelyIf they ever want to fully redevelop the site as housing, it’s possible that local authority planners could push them into providing something for the preserved railway as ‘community benefit’. I think having something to reflect the history of the site would be important. I suspect the main distinctive building is listed but likely too far to be connected without a large land take. The smaller shed/compound in top corner looks a more practical. All a bit fantasy land though.
Somewhere Charnwood Borough Council would, I expect, have a 'Local Plan' - generally a planning department document that identifies land for particular uses in the future (or at least the foreseeable future I think) which would set out whether the land was preferred for planning permissions for industrial / residential / retail etc etc assuming it has been updated for the decision by Brush's owner to vacate the site / some of the site(?)I think the chances of housing ever being developed on that site are as near to zero as you could get - the sheer amount needed to be spent on decontamination alone would be crippling. A portion of the site is also at risk of flooding (as it does regularly) and the only "Brush" company left on that site has just announced a substantial investment (in the millions) to increase and create new manufacturing capabilities - so taking all things into consideration any future leisure/housing use would seem to be very unlikely
Date Listed | Thu 17th June, 2004 |
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Category | Locally Listed Building |
Address | Falcon Building, Brush Works Nottingham Road Loughborough LE11 1EX |
Grade | Locally Listed |
Grid Reference | SK5430520644 |
Description | Engineering Workshops. Originally a Locomotive works for Henry Hughes & Co. Later The Falcon Engineering and Car Works (1883), acquired in 1889 by Anglo-American Brush. Development commenced 1865. Much altered and extended and many original buildings demolished. Mainly utility structures with exception of Falcon Building (originally built as Turbine Hall) and adjoining workshops with upstanding pedimented gables, fronting railway line. Turbine Hall built c1920. Neoclassical styling. Generally, soot blackened red brick above plinth of alternate stone and brick bands. Expressed terra-cotta string courses above windows and under gables. Pitched roofs with stone dressings to upstanding gables and distinctive shaped parapets. Diocletion window to lineside frontage masked by distinctive neon ?Brush? sign. Adjacent workshops with flat topped circular brick tower and shaped gables surmounting parapet, built c1900. Storey height metal framed fenestration. All buildings somewhat disfigured by crude C20 interventions |
This coming weekend (Aug 12/13) has the engine shed open for the "Boscastle Shed Tours", where visitors are given a guided tour through the shed to see the progress on the various locomotive overhauls. Tours are at regular intervals from 10.30 to 4 pm on Sat and Sunday. They are free, but donations to help fund Boscastle's overhaul are appreciated.
Hi CowleyThat sounds interesting. Do the tours get quite busy?
Hi Cowley
It depends a lot on the weather! So we generally take groups of between 6 to 10 people at a time, depending on demand. There is a safety briefing, then look at what is outside (boiler work). Into the shed and walk up one aisle, 04 and Sir Lamiel, to the Black 5 and Boscastle, then back down past Oliver Cromwell, the Ivatt class 2 and Witherslack Hall. Talk and explain about various aspects that are on show. The level of detail dependant on the group.
And someone there with a sense of humour too! - (the smokebox door number on Witherslack Hall).There’s some pretty famous locos in that list I must say!
And someone there with a sense of humour too! - (the smokebox door number on Witherslack Hall).