Wolverton Works...
A great location, explored with the usual great company of Session9, and a non-member. An early start again, and the usual monster breakfast washed down with some coco-pops, or vice versa, too damn early to remember. Without a doubt the funniest access and egress plan to date, I really wish I could mention it and share the photos but it would give away access information. Rosie and Jim were not impressed....
Some history, shamelessly stolen...
Wolverton railway works was established in Wolverton, Buckinghamshire, by the London and Birmingham Railway Company in 1838 at the midpoint of the 112 miles (180 km)-long route from London to Birmingham. The line was developed by Robert Stephenson following the great success of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway line.
The Victorian era new towns of Wolverton and New Bradwell were built to house the workers and service the works. The older towns of Stony Stratford and Newport Pagnell grew substantially too, being joined to it by a tramway and branch line (known as the "Newport Nobby"), respectively. The trams were also hauled by steam locomotives: the tram cars were certainly the largest ever in the UK and possibly the world. In modern times Wolverton railway works remains notable as the home of the British Royal Train but otherwise is very much reduced from its heyday.
As of 2013, the facility is much reduced: a full-scale train maintenance, repairs and refurbishment works is operated at the western end of the site, the central area is derelict but slated for redevelopment, the eastern end is a Tesco store with canal-side housing development at the extreme eastern end.
1.
2.
3. Brew Time
4.
5. A few from the massive hanger-style workshops
6. This one involved a bit of dot-twitching climbing
7.
8. Lil old cart
9. Saw and Tool sharpening room
10.
11.
12.
13. Silver Eagle Disco with nice 5-digit phone number
14.
15. Mini Tractor area
16. Yeah whatever...
17. Rail News from 1988
18.
19. Udders and groovy drain pipe
20. The exit, and on to the second part of the comedy exfiltration...
As always, thanks for looking and any feedback always appreciated ïÂÅ
A great location, explored with the usual great company of Session9, and a non-member. An early start again, and the usual monster breakfast washed down with some coco-pops, or vice versa, too damn early to remember. Without a doubt the funniest access and egress plan to date, I really wish I could mention it and share the photos but it would give away access information. Rosie and Jim were not impressed....
Some history, shamelessly stolen...
Wolverton railway works was established in Wolverton, Buckinghamshire, by the London and Birmingham Railway Company in 1838 at the midpoint of the 112 miles (180 km)-long route from London to Birmingham. The line was developed by Robert Stephenson following the great success of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway line.
The Victorian era new towns of Wolverton and New Bradwell were built to house the workers and service the works. The older towns of Stony Stratford and Newport Pagnell grew substantially too, being joined to it by a tramway and branch line (known as the "Newport Nobby"), respectively. The trams were also hauled by steam locomotives: the tram cars were certainly the largest ever in the UK and possibly the world. In modern times Wolverton railway works remains notable as the home of the British Royal Train but otherwise is very much reduced from its heyday.
As of 2013, the facility is much reduced: a full-scale train maintenance, repairs and refurbishment works is operated at the western end of the site, the central area is derelict but slated for redevelopment, the eastern end is a Tesco store with canal-side housing development at the extreme eastern end.
1.
2.
3. Brew Time
4.
5. A few from the massive hanger-style workshops
6. This one involved a bit of dot-twitching climbing
7.
8. Lil old cart
9. Saw and Tool sharpening room
10.
11.
12.
13. Silver Eagle Disco with nice 5-digit phone number
14.
15. Mini Tractor area
16. Yeah whatever...
17. Rail News from 1988
18.
19. Udders and groovy drain pipe
20. The exit, and on to the second part of the comedy exfiltration...
As always, thanks for looking and any feedback always appreciated ïÂÅ
