Diesel Depot
The Kidderminster Diesel Depot, also sometimes referred to as the TMDTraction Maintenance Depot, also referred to as Diesel Depot (Traction Maintenance Depot), stands on the space of ground between the Kidderminster Carriage Shed and the Kidderminster Footbridge, and is used to maintain most of the SVRSevern Valley Railway's fleet of Diesel locomotives. Although visible from the footbridge across the station throat, the site is not directly visible to SVRSevern Valley Railway visitors until they have boarded a train and are departing towards Bewdley. The Depot is normally closed to the public, but may be open during special events such as the annual Open House Weekend and Peep Behind the Scenes.
Construction and facilities
A new restoration and storage facility was built on the site of the Depot during 2015. This valuable facility contains three roads, with facilities including a pit and an overhead crane. This will allow the restoration of these complex but useful locomotives to take place. Previously facilities had been in the open air, with volunteers being exposed to the elements. The new depot provides 1,000 square meters of covered space, two locomotive inspection pits, lifting jacks, and a 10 tonne overhead travelling crane.[1] The first locomotives entered the Diesel Depot on Saturday 30th January 2016.
The Depot is also home to a separate mess room facility for diesel group volunteers, as well as one of the railway's sleeping coaches, which offers overnight accommodation to volunteer staff who are away from home.
In January 2017 it was announced that the Diesel Depot had won the 2016 Heritage Railway Association award for Modern Traction for its "major contribution to modern traction preservation".[2]
Gallery
50049 Defiance having its engine replaced
D7029 was the first locomotive to enter the depot on 30 Jan 2016, breaking through a ceremonial ribbon (Jeff Atkins)
D3022 in the Diesel Depot on 30 Jan 2016 (Jeff Atkins)
See also
References
- ↑ SVR NBI-H-203 "SVRSevern Valley Railway Diesel Locomotive Maintenance Depot" 22 Dec 2014
- ↑ Kidderminster Shuttle
Links
Latest news on SVRLive Kidderminster Diesel Depot page