The site of the old level crossing on Bridge Street, Northampton, is still obvious: there are even rails left in the road. Back in 2012 I wrote of this spot:
Northampton Bridge Street station used to stand to the west of the road here. It was on the line to Peterborough. That line closed to passengers in 1964 and to through freight trains in 1972, but there were permanent way yards on either side of the road and various industrial sidings nearby. So, though crossing was clearly derelict when I visited on Tuesday, it seems the last train across Bridge Street ran as recently as 2006.What I didn't know then is that the former engine shed at Bridge Street still stands. Disused Stations says of it:
A replacement 2-road shed was opened by the LNWR c.1855. It was enlarged by a 3 road front extension in 1870, only to be closed in 1881. It then became a carriage shed for many years and still stands today and is in use by engineers. This view is c.1996 and you can clearly see the two sections - so the rear bit is some 158 years oldThe photograph above shows the old engine shed, and if you can see that there are still rails running past it. Until 2006 they carried trains over the canal and up to the remaining Northampton station.
3 comments:
Hello, the shed you're referencing here is a Midland shed, built around the same time as St. John's street station (built c 1870). IIRC, it was designated as a sub-shed of Wellingborough.Later, it became home to a welding school before suffering an arson attack. It is now open to the elements.
The original LNWR shed stood west of bridge street crossing, close to the station (built c.1850). It later became a carriage shed after a larger shed ar Far cotton replaced it (c.1881).
Hope this helps.
Jim
The above comment is slightly incorrect. The shed in the photo is the original LNWR shed built near Bridge Street Station. It was originally constructed in the mid 1850's and was then enlarged in 1870. It was closed as an engine shed in 1881 as it was replaced by the motive power depot (MPD) just down the track at Bridge Street Junction. The old shed retained some track and appears to have been used possibly for stores. I have a photo showing an 08 stabled in this shed in the 90's. The Midland shed used by St. John's Street was further East along the line by Hardingstone Junction. It was opened in 1873 and closed in 1924. It became a BR welding school but was sold to Avon in 1998. It became disused and was damaged by fire in 2000. The shed has recently (2016) been sold to the University of Northampton who intend to turn the grade II listed building into a Student Union. The two sheds were easily identifiable as Bridge Streets had Louvre windows above the entrance whereas St. John's did not.
Thank you SML.
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