Vauxhall Shed

LMS Route: Birmingham New Street to Lichfield
LMS Route: Birmingham - Soho Road - Perry Barr - Birmingham

Located on the west side of the original Vauxhall passenger station, now dedicated only for goods traffic, Vauxhall shed had been servicing locomotives for the Grand Junction Railway and then the LNWR from the opening of the Grand Junction Railway on 4th July 1837. However it wasn't until 8th December 1854 that orders were given for the construction of a two-road shed. This was achieved by the simple procedure of dismantling a redundant wooden building at Camden and transferring it to Birmingham. The cost was estimated at £364 and the work was completed in 1855. In late 1858 Ramsbottom, the LNWR CME, reported that additions made to the shed meant it was 'complete and ready for occupation by the Locomotive Department'. By 1882 the building was in a dilapidated condition and with the construction of the new Shed at Aston, was dismantled and the site cleared.

At some stage a wagon repair workshop was built on the site, From old maps it can be seen that this changed in layout over the years both in terms of the building layout and the means of rail access. The latter was formerly by some form of traverser off sidings adjacent to the current station, then later (early 1900s) by another traverser slightly further south. Later the bays of the wagon shop were accessed by conventional sidings parallel to the wharf sidings. Remarkably this workshop remained in use until around 1995 and the accompanying set of photos by Roger Monk were taken just after the works closed but before the remaining stock was cleared from the sidings. At one time serviced by the Curzon St Pilot latterly the workshops were shunted by a trip working from Bescot Yard and it is believed the repair work itself was moved into Bescot shed when it ceased locomotive servicing. Some of the wagons seen in the photographs date back to the steam era and are former revenue earning vehicles converted to departmental use.

Note: some of the information given above regarding the wagon works is uncertain or simply unknown. Therefore further details of the history of this building and the adjacent goods wharf are sought. Any photographs of these taken before 1970 to add to this web site page would be appreciated.

Roger Monk

Ref: lnwrvd2769 PinzaC55 View of Vauxhall and Duddeston Carriage Shed after closure seen on 25th February 1989

Ref: lnwrvd2761 R Monk The main door into the Wagon Works complete with title 'Duddeston Wagon Repair Depot'

Ref: lnwrvd2762 R Monk The front of the Wagon Works showing the four bays to the right of the main door, each with rail access

Ref: lnwrvd2763 R Monk Looking south-east across the wagon works yard with several capstans for rope shunting in the foreground

Ref: lnwrvd2762 R Monk Looking east across the wagon works yard and the carriage sidings with Duddeston station beyond

Ref: lnwrvd2765 R Monk Looking from the former Vauxhall Wharf sidings towards Duddeston Station in the distance

Ref: lnwrvd2766 R Monk Part one of examples of the rolling stock repaired at Duddeston Wagon Repair Depot seen in the sidings

Ref: lnwrvd2767 R Monk Part two of examples of the rolling stock repaired at Duddeston Wagon Repair Depot seen in the sidings

Ref: lnwrvd2768 R Monk Part three of examples of the rolling stock repaired at Duddeston Wagon Repair Depot seen in the sidings

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)