Site visit unearths more detail on broad-gauge engine shed

摘要

In September, the Crossrail project at Westbourne Park unearthed the foundations of the long-demolished GWR broad and standard gauge sheds, along with the two original turntables, writes Eddie Lyons. Following The RM's 'stop press' report in the October issue, Crossrail and project engineers Costain organised a short-notice public site visit to view the discovery, before backfilling started to enable the project to progress. On the broad-gauge shed site one of the original four roads was exposed, nearest to the Great Western Main Line, showing the length of the 663ft structure, which at one time was mixed gauge, but later converted to standard gauge. The inspection pit was also visible. The standard-gauge shed had its footings and all the six roads with their ash pits clearly visible. The original walls of the 1862 three-road building could be identified. In 1873 it had been extended to include a further three roads, doubling the width of the shed. The pits revealed paviours to the floor and brick walls. The turntable site that stood between the broad- and standard-gauge sheds showed the foundations to both the 45ft-and 55ft-diameter turntables. At one point, a mixed-gauge turntable had been used on this site.