Barrow Hill Roundhouse

 

It was one of the most typical parts of the steam world, the roundhouse. Which basically in laymen speak is a shed with a turntable in it. But for some reason this is the only one left.

We were coming home from one of those arduous family holidays when we noticed brown signs around Chesterfield leading to Barrow Hill Roundhouse. An argument then ensued but we ended up on the road to Barrow Hill.

 

It really isn’t much to look at. Quite honestly a big shed in the middle of a quiet Midlands town is not exactly what most people think of when the think of steam heritage. But until you get inside you have no idea what an amazing place it is.

The yard is quite literally littered with junk every thing from road rail vehicles, Deltic cabs and even a prototype train front made from composite materials, (this latter piece was made by the New Rail research group who do their testing at Barrow Hill).

 

On entering the round house you make your way through the signing on rooms and mess rooms until you enter the round house proper. It has changed a lot since the day when it was a steam shed just by the lack of soot ash and steam. But if you want mess then there are some old locomotives, mainly diesels and electrics being restored on the far side of the roundhouse.

Speaking of electrics the roundhouse is home to the heritage fleet of the AC Locomotive Group who own or are guardians of a specimen of all the types of locomotive now removed from mainline service, including the one of a kind engine 89001, one of my favourite locomotives. These engines are all on display along with a multitude of other steam, diesel and even a gas turbine rarities and one offs, making a trip out here worthwhile. The two steam engines of note, when I was there were the A2 Blue Peter and the GCR Director class Butler Henderson from the NRM; Blue Peter is a survivor and refugee of the Dinting project.

 

Walking out of the roundhouse a mass of diesels meets the eye, nearly every class that was is represented here and some in more than just one example. To get the best view of this motley collection it is best to climb up on the viewing platform, which happens to be the old coaling stage and look over the roofs of the masses collected there. A lot of them are stored there by mainline companies, so there is a real mismatch of machines in the yard.

 

Also in the yard is the platform where trains depart up a short demonstration line that leads to the mainline junction and there is also a signal box which is under restoration. Of course the other main attraction is the Deltic preservation trust museum and depot. If you like Deltics, and who doesn’t (this is the pilgrimage to make).  I was unlucky enough to come on a day when it was closed but I believe they have at least 4 on site so well worth a visit.

 

The one thing I find about Barrow Hill is that it doesn’t cater as well to the tourist as other places. But I assume that the place is still a working depot of sorts and the tourists are an after thought. Please remember when visiting Barrow Hill on a non event day to bring sandwiches but saying that the galas here are out of this world. It would be nice to see the yard cleaned up a bit more….

 

GHGF 2008