Barrow Hill Engine Shed Society
Mission Statement

The Barrow Hill Engine Shed Society exists to ensure the future existence of Barrow Hill Roundhouse by developing the site, therefore avoiding the building falling into "disrepair by neglect" through non-use, as:-

- A site for preserved locomotive and railway rolling stock display, storage and repair;
- A training centre for the railway preservation industry;
- A centre for visitor interest in railway engineering skills

Objectives

1) In conjunction with Chesterfield Borough Council to restore the site (including the Roundhouse and associated buildings) to their original condition as far as is practical

2) To provide such engineering and ancillary facilities as would be appropriate for a railway engineering workshop and maintenance centre

3) To develop the site (whilst maintaining the integrity of the Roundhouse and associated buildings), including establishing a centre for railway locomotives and rolling stock undergoing restoration and maintenance work, or for use on private charter trains on the UK railway network.

4) To establish a vocational training facility for civil and mechanical engineering, as appertaining to railways, by providing teaching aids, equipment, machinery and qualified training/lecturing staff.

5) To collaborate as necessary with the local authority, the local Training and Enterprise Council, and the Transport Trust in the provision of a separate training centre providing a wide range of skills associated with the restoration of items of historical transport.

6) To serve the local community, by providing social, recreational and educational facilities, including historical, social and technical research.

7) To eventually open the site to public admission on selected "Open Days"

Barrow Hill - The Last Operational
Roundhouse in Great Britain

Capital

Since the project commenced, (over nine years ago now), there have been many developments but the most important progress was certainly made during 1995-96 when, after a lot of hard work by the Barrow Hill Engine Shed Society and Chesterfield Borough Council, sufficient capital to commence the project was finally raised. This capital came from various sources including Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire County Council, British Rail, Transport Trust, North Derbyshire Training and Enterprise Council, Government and European funding.

Training Scheme

Alongside efforts to raise funding there has also been the establishment of a feasible skills training scheme, in conjunction with Chesterfield Borough Council, to teach local young people the varied skills and trades connected with railway operation and engineering.

Locomotives and Rolling Stock

The unique nature of the building, (listed by the Department of the Environment as Grade 2), its central position in the country and the fact that it offers under-cover accommodation and maintenance facilities for locomotives has obviously attracted a lot of interest from owners of locomotives and rolling stock, especially as the depot sidings remain rail connected to the national Railtrack network. It is certain that we already have the opportunity to fill Barrow Hill depot with a varied and interesting collection of railway exhibits. There is further available land within the existing site to allow for future expansion and developments.

Project Timescale

Work on the renovation of the building (including complete re-roofing and re-instatement of electricity, water and drainage services) commenced in January 1997. It is targeted that the centre will then be ready to accept the first items of rolling stock in mid to late 1998. Obviously there is a lot of work to be done by the society and the more members and volunteers the society recruits the quicker this work will be completed.

The Future

The society has a long term plan for the Roundhouse which includes re-instating the coaling stage and signal box as well as constructing a purpose built carriage shed. We have always believed that a railway centre at Barrow Hill has the potential to become one of the largest and most interesting railway centres in Great Britain and I would urge anyone who reads this and is interested in joining the society and becoming actively involved, to do so and become part of a unique project and help create a new era for Barrow Hill Roundhouse.

Mervyn Allcock - September 1998