Building record 9041/1/1 - Former Midland Railway Locomotive Shed

Latterly the Regional Civil Engineers Welding School B.R.L.M.R. A railway locomotive shed, now disused. Built in 1873 for the Midland Railway. Constructed in polychrome brick with corrugated sheet roof. It was used as a welding school for British Rail Engineering in the latter half of the 20th century. In 2016-8 the shed was restored using Heritage Lottery Funding and is used by the University of Northampton's Students' Union.

{2} Latterly the Regional Civil Engineers Welding School B.R.L.M.R. Railway locomotive shed, now disused. 1873 for the Midland Railway. Polychrome brick with corrugated sheet roof.
EXTERIOR: Single storey; 15-window range of iron-framed windows with white brick round-arched heads and margin and triangular glazing. Stone sills and blue brick sill band. The last window on the right to the front and rear and the windows on the right end are blocked. The windows on the long sides are set within a blind arcade of white brick arches on red brick pilasters. Plinth and dentilled eaves cornice. Rear similar. Slightly remodelled lower range with pedestrian entrance on right end. Left end has wide door frame under segmental arch, the iron lintel supported on central iron pier. The left half is blocked, the right is open.
INTERIOR: Retains the original roof structure with wooden principals, collars and purlins and metal bracing and tie rods. Minor damage to roof structure in the 6 western bays from a 2000 fire.
SUMMARY OF IMPORTANCE: A rare and little altered example of a Midland Railway locomotive shed.

{3} The small engine shed (now used as a training centre) remains in good condition. It has restrained romanesque decoration and many original features including the windows and roof. It is listed as grade II.

{6} A full structural survey had been carried out in December 2012 by Waldeck and therefore was not required as part of this survey. The survival of construction records for this structure appears unlikely from the documentary research carried out.
The locomotive shed is a Grade II Listed structure built in 1876 as a minor engine repair shed for the Midland Railway Company. The office building is contemporary and similar in design and though not individually listed, nor mentioned in the locomotive shed description, it does lie within the curtilage of the main structure.
The Listed Building is a large, single storey engine shed positioned on an east-west orientation, in an area of now disused railway tracks and scrub land. Both buildings are of red brick and feature polychrome brickwork with white and blue bricks used to highlight architectural features such as window openings, quoins and string courses.
The locomotive shed retains a number of further high specification architectural details such as decorative iron window frames and customised cast-iron structural supports. It and the office are both fine and little altered examples of Victorian railway architecture and have high aesthetic value. They are illustrative of the historical use of locomotive sheds and other ancillary buildings within the C19th railway industry, and an evidential representation of the operation of the industry in Northampton.
More details of survey and statement of significance p.12-25.

{9} The original inspection pits were uncovered during the restoration but re-covered after recording.

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 18/1010 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> 1976, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), H14 update of 28/04/2006 (checked) (Catalogue). SNN1000.

<3> ELLISON M., 1997, SMR Report Form, (checked) (SMR Report Form). SNN49111.

<4> Beamish H., 2003, Nunn Mills Site, Delapre, Northampton: Desktop Assessment, (unchecked) (Report). SNN103890.

<6> Armstrong H., 2013, Nunn Mills Locomotive Shed, Northampton: Historic Building Recording, p.12-25 (checked) (Report). SNN109648.

<7> Baillinger, J., 2000, Midland railway locomotive shed following fire (Photographic prints (COL)). SNN110491.

<8> Babtie Group, 2000, Station No 18856 - Northampton- Former Welding School: Visual inspection of building condition and structural integrity following fire damage (Report). SNN110490.

<9> Perkins, P, Whittaker, R and Denton, A, 2022, A Guide to the Industrial Heritage of Northamptonshire, p. 66/ Site 292 (Book). SNN113793.

Record last edited

Jan 29 2025 3:56PM