Barrow Hill Roundhouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Barrow Hill Roundhouse |
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A mix of steam, diesel and electric locomotives facing the roundhouse turntable
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| Alternative names | Staveley Roundhouse |
| General information | |
| Status | Listed Building, Museum |
| Type | Roundhouse |
| Town or city | Barrow Hill, Derbyshire |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 53°16′28.00″N 1°22′54.50″W / 53.2744444°N 1.3818056°W |
| Current tenants | Barrow Hill Engine Shed Society |
| Opened | 1870 |
| Renovated | 1998 |
| Cost | £16,445 4s 9d |
| Client | Midland Railway |
| Owner | Chesterfield Borough Council |
| Design and construction | |
| Main contractor | I.E. Hall |
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Listed Building – Grade II
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| Official name: Engine Shed 200 metres west of Campbell Drive (in unnamed road) | |
| Designated: | 5 February 1991 |
| Reference #: | 1140134 |
The Barrow Hill Roundhouse is a special building that used to be a home for trains. It was built in 1870 by the Midland Railway company. This roundhouse is in Barrow Hill, Derbyshire, near Staveley and Chesterfield in Derbyshire, England. Today, it is a railway heritage centre where old trains are kept and shown to the public.
History of the Roundhouse
The Barrow Hill Roundhouse was first known as the Staveley Engine Shed. It was built in 1870. A roundhouse is a circular building with a turntable in the middle. This turntable helps move trains around to different tracks inside the shed.
The roundhouse was used for trains until 1991. After 1948, its name changed to Barrow Hill. This was to avoid confusion with another train shed nearby.
Saving the Roundhouse
After it closed in 1991, the building was sadly damaged by vandals. But people wanted to save it! In February 1991, the building was given a special status. It became a Grade II listed building. This means it is an important historical building that must be protected.
The Chesterfield Borough Council then bought the roundhouse and the land around it in 1996. They worked with a group called the Barrow Hill Engine Shed Society. This society helped fix up the building. They even replaced the original glass roof from 1870!
Many groups helped pay for the repairs. These included the local council, the Transport Trust, and the European Regional Development Fund. The roundhouse reopened to visitors in July 1998.
Today, the Barrow Hill Roundhouse is still connected to the main railway lines. It is a home for many old British trains. A company called the Harry Needle Railroad Company also keeps and fixes trains there. The roundhouse also has a Pinxton Signal box that was moved there. It has been restored to look like it did when it was last used.
Trains at Barrow Hill
The Barrow Hill Roundhouse is a great place to see many different types of old trains. It has a collection of preserved locomotives. These include powerful steam trains, speedy diesel trains, and electric trains. Some of these trains are on display, while others are being repaired or are ready to run.
Many of the steam locomotives on display are on loan from the National Railway Museum. These include:
- A GER Class G58 steam engine built in 1905.
- A GCR Class 11F steam engine from 1919.
- Two Midland Railway steam engines from the 1800s and early 1900s.
The roundhouse also has many diesel locomotives. These include different types of British Rail (BR) Class trains. You can see:
- Several BR Class 02 and Class 03 shunting engines.
- Larger BR Class 45 and Class 55 "Deltic" locomotives.
There are also electric locomotives at Barrow Hill. These include several BR Class electric trains. They were built in the 1960s.
Fun Events
The Barrow Hill Roundhouse hosts special events each year. One popular event is a festival in May. Visitors can enjoy train rides during this festival. It's a great chance to see the historic trains in action!
