This new book covers the entire history of the Caledonian Railway's locomotive sheds in Carlisle through to the final closure of Kingmoor steam shed at the end of December 1967. When the Caledonian Railway opened its main lines from Carlisle to Glasgow and Edinburgh, a short-lived shed was provided adjacent to Citadel station. We learn of its replacement under the windows of the Cathedral Deanery at West Walls before that shed was also replaced, in 1875, at a new site on the edge of the city. Originally called Etterby it would be renamed during the First World War to its more familiar name, Kingmoor.
The book details the steam locomotives either based at, or serviced at the Caledonian sheds over the 120 years. Although a Caledonian shed, we learn how West Walls was also home to Glasgow & South Western Railway locos until its closure. Etterby / Kingmoor would remain home to purely Caledonian locomotives until the Grouping. The new owners, the London Midland and Scottish Railway, saw fit to rationalise their sheds in Carlisle with GSWR locos joining their Caledonian rivals at Kingmoor. Later locos based at the former Midland Railway shed moved to Kingmoor, extending the reach of Kingmoor locos both north and south of the border.
We learn of the trains, both passenger and freight, handled from the Caledonian sheds over the years: in Caledonian Railway days, through LMS ownership and under the British Railways period until, with the imminent end of steam, no further need was seen for the steam shed at Kingmoor.
Chapters are dedicated to the wartime periods of both first and Second World Wars. These put significant pressure on the management, locomotives and men at Kingmoor. The author details preparations for getting coal to the British fleet based at Scapa Flow as early as 1911 as well as the famous Jellicoe specials during the Great War. Coverage is also given to dispel myths as to preparations for the outbreak of war in 1939.
The author has based much of this book on historical documents and notes in his possession, including original documents, transcripts, information, correspondence and photographs provided by the footplatemen and shed staff at Kingmoor. As he acknowledges, often individual came to his door, handed him material and walked away, never to make contact again.
Author: John M Hammond
Publisher - Cumbrian Railways Association
56 pages
A4 Laminated Card Cover
Published:
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