LMS Route: Grand Junction Railway
LMS Route: Birmingham New Street to Lichfield
LMS Route: Birmingham-Soho-Perry Barr-Birmingham

Aston Shed: lnwra1492b

Close up of image 'lnwra1492' showing Aston shed's coaling plant and ash disposal plant built by the LMS during the 1930s as part of their modernisation programme. The new equipment was installed as part of the LMS Locomotive Running Department's modernisation programme initiated by EJH Lemon, Operating Vice President of the London Midland & Scottish Railway Company (LMSR), and a number of his officers. The programme was entitled the 'Motive Power Area Locomotive Supply, Repair, Concentration and Garage Scheme'. Inaugurated in 1933, the scheme was to eventually cost over £1,000,000 and to involve the complete reorganisation of more than fifty major sheds. The central idea behind the modernisation programme was that locomotives should follow a logical sequence when coming on shed for servicing. Ideally, the disposal process would be the following:

(a) coaling with simultaneous watering if possible
(b) ash disposal/fire cleaning
(c) turning
(d) stabling in the shed for examination or return to further duties

Nicknamed the 'cafeteria system' the efficiency of all the separate activities was to be maximised by mechanisation. Coal and ash plants, such those as seen above, were to be appropriate in size and number to the importance of the shed together with the installation of larger vacuum operated turntables. Suitable up-to-date machinery for running and emergency repairs was also to be purchased with proper facilities to accommodate them being built.

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