Derby Carriage and Wagon Works facts for kids

Derby Carriage and Wagon Works was a very important factory built by the Midland Railway company. It was located in Derby, England. This factory was where many of the trains and carriages for the railway were designed and built.

The story of the Derby Works began in 1840. At that time, three different railway companies – the North Midland Railway, the Midland Counties Railway, and the Birmingham and Derby Railway – built engine sheds there. These sheds were for their main station, which was called Tri Junct Station.

In 1844, these three companies joined together to form the Midland Railway. The new company's first main engineer for trains and carriages was a man named Matthew Kirtley. He decided it would be better for the railway to build its own trains and carriages instead of buying them from other companies. This decision led to the creation of the Derby Carriage and Wagon Works.

What Did They Build?

The Derby Works became famous for building many different types of railway vehicles. They made passenger carriages, freight wagons, and even special kinds of trains.

Passenger Carriages

The factory built comfortable carriages for people to travel in. These carriages changed over time, becoming more modern and efficient.

Freight Wagons

They also built wagons to carry goods and materials across the country. These wagons were essential for moving coal, food, and other products.

Special Trains

Over the years, the works also produced unique trains. For example, they built "Derby Lightweight" trains, which were faster and lighter. They also made special railbuses like the LEV1, which was a prototype for new ways of traveling by rail.

Why Was It Important?

The Derby Carriage and Wagon Works was very important for several reasons:

• It helped the Midland Railway become a leading company in Britain.
• It provided many jobs for people in Derby and the surrounding area.
• It was a place where new ideas and technologies for trains were developed.
• The trains and carriages built there helped connect towns and cities across the country.

The works continued to build and repair trains for many years, adapting to new railway needs and technologies. It played a big part in the history of railways in the United Kingdom.

Images for kids

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  Litchurch Lane works in 2011. This is a modern view of the site.

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  An annual dinner held inside the carriage works in 1898.

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  A preserved Derby Lightweight train, showing what they looked like.

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  The prototype railbus LEV1, a unique train built at Derby.

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  A Class 170 Turbostar train, a more modern type of train.

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  A Gautrain EMU in South Africa, showing the global reach of designs.