Carnforth Motive Power Depot

Carnforth Motive Power Depot, formerly open to the public as Steamtown Carnforth is a former steam locomotive shed 6 miles north of Lancaster in Carnforth, England.
==History:==
Construction of the present shed started in 1942 and with the construction being mostly from Italian POW's, was completed in 1944 on the site of the former Furness Railway depot, its late construction in the steam locomotive age resulted in its long-term use and conservation by British Railways. Targeted as part of a preservation scheme, when this failed it was developed as major visitor attraction Steamtown Carnforth. Today, closed as a museum, it acts as the major national operational base of West Coast Railways.
===Steamtown Carnforth===
In the 1960's A group of enthusiasts chaired by Dr Peter Beet formed the Lakeside Railway Estates Company, with the idea of preserving both the Lakeside line (later becoming Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway) and Carnforth MPD, to provide a complete steam operating system. Negotiations with BR resulted in an agreement to buy the majority of the Lakeside branch, and at Carnforth rent out: the former wagon works; west side sidings; and 3-roads of the former MPD. Beet formed Steamtown Railway Museum Ltd, and the resultant visitor attraction Steamtown Carnforth became a mecca for steam enthusiasts, then facing a national ban on steam traction on the BR network. With the assistance of the Lancaster Railway Circle, an increasing number of steam engines arrived at Steamtown from 1967 onwards.
Following the need to build a number of motorway bridges and re-route the A590 from Haverthwaite via Greenodd to Plumpton Junction, despite support from the transport minister Barbara Castle the complete vision proved unsuccessful and a split was formed in 1970 with one group taking over the Lakeside Branch while the other would run Steamtown Carnforth.
Steamtown continued under the leadership of Dr Beet, who developed it as a major regional visitor attraction. This included the purchase of both SNCF André Chapelon 4-6-2 No. PLM 231.K.22, Deutsche Bundesbahn oil-fired 012 Pacific No. 012 104-6 (né 01 1104), and the development of an extensive 15 in gauge miniature railway. Sir Bill McAlpine became a shareholder in the company in 1974 allowing 4472 Flying Scotsman to make Carnforth it's home. Over time McAlpine acquired a controlling interest in the company, in order to fund the purchase of the complete site including the track from BR.
Even after the mainline steam ban was removed in 1971, the site remained a hub for both enthusiasts and major servicing point for steam locomotives and associatd rolling stock. The museum's own stock developed with the purchase of some ex-industrial shunters, and three hulks from Woodham Brothers scrapyard at [Barry Island: GWR 6959 Class No.6960 Raveningham Hall, SR Merchant Navy class No.35005 Canadian Pacific and GWR 5600 Class No.5643.
Carnforth became popular with numerous mainline steam locomotives including: 4079 Pendennis Castle, 5407 and 45596 Bahamas plus numerous other steam locomotives.
===Operation by West Coast Railways===
==Rolling stock:==
Carnforth Motive Power Depot as of 2024 is home to a large collection of steam locomotives. As of May 2024, Carnforth has five engines operational: 34067, 35018, 44932, 45699 and 46115. 4920 and 5972 are on static display as part of Warner Bros Studio Tours (4920 in Tokyo, Japan & 5972 in Watford, London). 34016, 44767, 45110, 45593, 45690, 46201 and 48151 are in the process of undergoing overhauls and 34073 is a spares donor for 34067.
Note: Marked names indicate that the loco is not presently wearing them. Loco numbers in bold mean their current number.
Image	Number (Pre BR)	Number (BR)	Name 	Class 	Built 	Withdrawn 	Builder 	Chimney	Owner 	Livery 	Current status 	Dual Braked	Mainline Certified 	Notes
 	4920 (5972) 	 	*Dumbleton Hall (Hogwarts Castle)	GWR 4900 "Hall" class 4-6-0 	March 1929 	December 1965	Swindon Works 	Single 	David Smith 	Hogwarts Railways Lined Crimson 	Static Display, Boiler Certificate Expired: N/A. 	No 	No 	On long term loan to Warner Bros Studio Tour in Tokyo, Japan.
 	5972 	 	*Olton Hall (Hogwarts Castle) 	GWR 4900 "Hall" class 4-6-0 	April 1937 	December 1963	Swindon Works 	Single 	David Smith 	Hogwarts Railways Lined Crimson 	Stored, Boiler Certificate Expired: 2014. 	No 	No 	On long term loan to Warner Bros Studio Tour in Watford, London.
 	21C116 	34016 	Bodmin 	SR Rebuilt "West Country" class 4-6-2 	November 1945 	June 1964 	Brighton Works 	Single 	John Bunch 	BR Lined Green, Late Crest 	Under Overhaul, Boiler Certificate Expires: 2034. 	TBC 	No (to be certified)	
 	21C167 	34067 	Tangmere 	SR Unrebuilt "Battle of Britain" class 4-6-2	September 1947	November 1963	Brighton Works 	Single 	David Smith 	BR Lined Green, Late Crest 	Operational, Boiler Certificate Expires: 2020. 	Yes 	Yes (2021-Ongoing) 	
 	 	34073 	249 Squadron 	SR Unrebuilt "Battle of Britain" class 4-6-2	May 1948 	June 1964 	Brighton Works 	Single 	David Smith 	 	Stored, Boiler Certificate Expired: N/A. 	No 	No 	Presently in scrapyard condition.
 	21C18 	35018 	British India Line 	SR Rebuilt "Merchant Navy" class 4-6-2 	May 1945 	August 1964 	Eastleigh Works 	Single 	David Smith 	BR Lined Green, Late Crest 	Operational, Boiler Certificate Expires: 2026/27. 	No 	Yes (2017-Ongoing) 	First member of the class to be rebuilt.
 	4767 	44767 	George Stephenson 	LMS "Black Five" class 4-6-0 	December 1947 	December 1967	Crewe Works 	Single 	David Smith 	BR Lined Black, Late Crest (on completion) 	Under Overhaul, Boiler Certificate Expired: N/A. 	TBC 	No (to be certified)	Only member of the class built with Stephenson valve gear.
 	4932 	44932 	 	LMS "Black Five" class 4-6-0 	September 1945	August 1968 	Horwich Works 	Single 	David Smith 	BR Lined Black, British Railways lettering 	Operational, Boiler Certificate Expires: 2032. 	No 	Yes (2022-Ongoing) 	Only surviving member of the class built at Horwich Works.
 	5110 	45110 	 	LMS "Black Five" class 4-6-0 	June 1935 	August 1968 	Vulcan Foundry, Newton le Willows 	Single 	David Smith 	BR Lined Black, Late Crest 	Under Overhaul, Boiler Certificate Expired: 2008. 	TBC 	No (to be certified)	Hauled "Fifteen Guinea Special" in August 1968
 	5593 	45593 	*Kolhapur 	LMS "Jubilee" class 4-6-0 	December 1934 	October 1967 	North British Locomotive Company, Glasgow	Single 	David Smith 	LMS Crimson Lake 	Under Overhaul, Boiler Certificate Expired: N/A. 	No 	No (To be certified)	Purchased from Tyseley Locomotive Works by David Smith in May 2024.
 	5690 	45690 	Leander 	LMS "Jubilee" class 4-6-0 	March 1936 	March 1964 	Crewe Works 	Single 	Chris Beet 	BR Lined Black, Early Emblem 	Under Overhaul, Boiler Certificate Expired: May 2024.	No 	No (2015-2023) 	Black nameplate on fireman's side and red nameplate on driver's side.
 	5699 	45699
(45627)	*Galatea
(Sierra Leone) 	LMS "Jubilee" class 4-6-0 	April 1936 	November 1964	Crewe Works 	Single 	David Smith 	BR Lined Green, Late Crest 	Operational, Boiler Certificate Expires: Jan 2033. 	No 	Yes (2023-Ongoing) 	Presently running as scrapped classmate 45627 Sierra Leone.
 	6115 	46115 	Scots Guardsman 	LMS "Rebuilt Royal Scot" class 4-6-0 	October 1927 	January 1966 	North British Locomotive Company, Glasgow	Double 	David Smith 	BR Lined Green, Late Crest 	Operational, Boiler Certificate Expires: 2029. 	No 	Yes (2019-Ongoing) 	Rebuilt from Fowler shape to Stanier shape in June 1947.
Featured in the 1936 film "Night Mail".
In June 2012 the engine hauled the Olympic Torch train from York to Thirsk.
 	6201 	46201 	Princess Elizabeth 	LMS "Princess Royal" class 4-6-2 	November 1933 	October 1962 	Crewe Works 	Single 	Princess Elizabeth Locomotive Society	LMS Crimson Lake (on completion) 	Under Overhaul, Boiler Certificate Expired: 2022. 	Yes 	No (to be certified)	On 11 July 2012, the engine hauled the royal train for HM Queen Elizabeth II from Newport to Hereford and Worcester to Oxford.
 	8151 	48151 	 	LMS "8F" class 2-8-0 	September 1942	January 1968 	Crewe Works 	Single 	David Smith 	BR Unlined Black, Late Crest (on completion)	Under Overhaul, Boiler Certificate Expired: 2018. 	No 	No (to be certified)	
==External Pages:==
Category:Heritage and Private Attractions in the United Kingdom
Category:United Kingdom