Locomotive Works

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The Locomotive Works

The previous locomotive works for the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway were at Gorton in Manchester, but the site couldn't be expanded sufficiently for the rapid growth of the L&YR. The hunt for an alternative home ended in 1883 when a site was offered by the town of Horwich. In 1886, the new works opened and rapidly became the main employer in the town, which grew rapidly as the works expanded.

Under the ownership of the L&YR and then the LMS, the loco works built a huge number of locomotives, the first of which was a L&Y 2-4-2 tank loco, completed in 1889. The final steam locomotive built at the works was a class 4 2-6-0 completed in November 1957, but Horwich did also build a number of class 08 diesel shunters between 1953 and 1962. After that, the works became a Wagon Repair Works which overhauled electric multiple units (EMUs) and a variety of goods wagons. Finally, in 1983, the works was closed having been gradually run-down by British Rail.

above

11394, the Works Pilot on 31st August 1959

left

ex-works portrait of 42784 on 31st August 1959

both photographs courtesy of

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In this mid-1960s photograph of the Erecting Shop at Horwich are 8F 58615 and "Crab" 42829, presumably being give overhauls.

Stan Withers

Another view of the Erecting Shop showing "Crab" 42730 minus wheels.

Stan Withers