GWR Route: Moreton-in-Marsh to Shipston-on-Stour

Shipston-on-Stour Shed

Following the reconstruction of the Shipston branch for steam locomotives a single road engine shed was provided for the branch engine at Shipston-on-Stour in July 1889. During the first world war the train services to Shipston were reduced and the motive power for the branch was provided from Worcester shed. This allowed Shipston engine shed to be closed in November 1916 and it was subsequently used for military purposes until the end of hostilities in November 1918. The engine shed siding is believed to have been removed in 1917, at the same time as the old Stratford tramway rails and neither was ever reinstated. The engine shed was registered as being out of use in October 1923 with a tenancy being arranged, but in a memo dated 28th May 1929 there was a proposal for the engine shed to be used as Garage accommodation for Road Transport Department. In the 1930s and 1940’s a GWR delivery lorry was based in the engine shed to make collections and deliveries in the local area.

The engine shed was a substantial red brick building with internal dimensions; 41 feet long by 16 feet wide and the side walls were 13 feet 6 inches high. The roof was a gable style slated type and the ridge height was 21 feet 3 inches. There were four ventilation stacks in the roof. Internally there was 30 foot 9 inch inspection pit under the single road, but there was no external pit or coaling stage facility provided. A second-hand 2000 gallon pillar water tank and crane was also provided when the engine shed opened. The water for this was obtained from a 17 foot deep well near the entrance of the engine shed. The branch engine was used to power the steam elevator when water was required from the well. There was however issues with the water quality at Shipston and instructions were issued that the water should only be used for washouts and that normally water should be obtained at Moreton-in-the-Marsh.

Allocation 1st January 1901 - 0-6-0ST No 2015

Robert Ferris

Ref: gwrss951 JH Russell A side view of the forty-one feet long by sixteen feet wide engine shed which served the branch line for approximately thirty years

Ref: gwrss959 WA Camwell View of the engine shed after it was closed and during the time it was used to garage the GWR road lorry used to distribute goods from the station

Ref: gwrss601 JH Moss/RS Carpenter Looking towards Moreton-in-Marsh with the single road engine shed on the left and the plate layers mess hut seen in the distance on the right

Ref: gwrss950a MJE Deane Close up showing the grounded ex-GWR Dean 40 foot passenger bogie brake van and still on its wheels a GWR four-wheel Van

Ref: gwrss1003 MEJ Deane View of the station's goods yard facilities which included the cattle dock the long siding which by used for local coal merchants

Ref: gwrss3862 GWR Publicity A Morris 14 seater identical to those used on the Shipston-on-Stour bus services from 1929 to 1930

Maps and schematic drawings

Ref: gwrss604 Ordnance Survey An undated Ordnance Survey map showing the layout of Shipson-on-Stour station, goods yard and shed

Ref: gwrss3103 Ordnance Survey A 1923 25 inch Ordnance Survey map showing the layout of Shipson-on-Stour station, goods yard and shed

Ref: gwrss3104 Great Western Railway A 1916 Official Track Plan showing the layout of Shipson-on-Stour station and it's water supply

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.

	"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)