West Coast HQ added to English Heritage ‘at risk’ list

Sam Hewitt

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22nd November 2016

The former Carnforth steam depot has been added to Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register, in a bid to protect steam-era buildings on the site.

Flying Scotsman at Carnforth in 1982 with original single chimney and without the current German-style smoke deflectors. DAVID INGHAM/CREATIVE COMMONS — *Flying Scotsman* at Carnforth in 1982 with original single chimney and without the current German-style smoke deflectors. DAVID INGHAM/CREATIVE COMMONS

The Carnforth Conservation Area is said to contain “a remarkably intact collection of railway buildings” including the engine shed and also the concrete ash plant and a coaling plant, built by Italian Prisoners of War to modernise the depot.

The Grade II structures are said to be unique in Britain and in need of serious attention to conserve them.

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The LMS developed the Carnforth Motive Power Depot in 1944 on the site of a former LNWR depot. Its comparatively late build date led to its long-term use and it did not finally close as a BR depot until early 1969, some months after the end of steam.

Read more in Issue 222 of Heritage Railway

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