Brighton 1840
Brighton locomotive shed which was opened on the 12th May 1840 by The Brighton & London Railway, and was situated on
the North West side of Brighton station, on the North side of the Shoreham railway line. It was originally a one track straight
shed.
On the 21st September, 1841 a second brick built four track straight shed with a gable style roof was opened and located to
the North of Brighton station on the West side of the line, facilities included a turntable, a coal stage and a water tank.
In 1861, the first shed was closed and demolished to make way for track realignment, and the second shed was also closed
and absorbed into the adjacent Locomotive Workshops. A new brick built, sixteen track straight dead-end shed with a multi-
pitched style slate roof was constructed and was located at the North end of Brighton station in the fork of the London and
Shoreham railway lines. The facilities included a 40ft turntable, a coal stage and a water tank. In 1909 the turntable was
enlarged to 60ft. Later in 1912 the existing brick built 3 track straight dead end carriage and wagon works shed with a twin
pitched slate roof was converted into a locomotive storage shed and was located to the East of the main shed, and sometime
later the three track shed was converted to a running shed and in 1939 this shed was converted into a workshop.
In 1938 the main shed was reduced to a ten track straight dead end shed and was re-roofed in a North light pattern style with
asbestos cladding. The Shed was demolished in 1966.
St. Leonards 1845-c1994
St Leonards was also known as Hastings was opened in November 1845, by the L.B.S.C.R. (Shed Codes from 1845 was H
until 1903 and from 1903 onwards it was StL.)
With the formation of the Southern Railway the locomotive shed transferred from being a sub shed of Brighton and become a
sub shed of Ashford, were it adopted a British Railway shed code of 74E (1950 - 1958) and later a sub shed of Stewarts
Lane/Hither Green 73D (1963 - 1973) and in 1973 SE.
Chichester 1846-c1870
Chichester loco shed was a two road dead end shed on the Down Side, and was opened by the L.B.S.C.R. with the line from
Lyminster on 8th June 1846.
Chichester at that time was the Railhead until the line was extended to Havant on 15th March 1847 and to Portsmouth on
14th June 1847. Allocation of locomotives is unknown, but probably a couple of locos for services between Portsmouth and
Lyminster. The date the shed is unknown, but it is believed to be early 1870s, during Stroudley’s ‘ House Cleaning’. The shed
disappeared in the works that were associated with re-signalling and track re-organisation at Chichester in 1875.
Epsom 1846
Haywards Heath 1847-1872
Haywards Heath Locomotive
shed was opened on 1st October 1847 by the London, Brighton &
South Coast Railway. The
shed was located on the East side of Haywards Heath station. The shed was a brick built two track straight dead-ended shed
with a gable style slate roof and the facilities included a turntable, coal stage and a water tank. The shed closed in 1872 and
converted for use as a goods shed.
Newhaven (N) 1847-1963
Newhaven’s first Locomotive Shed was opened on 8th December 1847 by the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway. This
locomotive shed was located at Newhaven Harbour on the East side of the Harbour station. The shed was a brick built two
track straight dead-ended shed with a 35 ft turntable. The shed was to close in 1887 with the opening of the new shed opening
at Newhaven Town.
The second Newhaven shed was located on the West side of Newhaven Town. The shed was constructed by corrugated iron
(the shed was re-roofed (pre 1950s) with corrugated asbestos and corrugated asbestos gables), it had a four track straight
dead-ended shed with a pitched style corrugated iron roof. The facilities at the shed were to include a turntable (enlarged to
60ft in 1917), a coal stage and a water column.
Newhaven shed was a sub-depot of the Brighton shed. Newhaven shed and depot closed on the 9th September 1963. The shed
was in private use and was demolished in September 2014.
Horsham (Hors) 1848,
Horsham Locomotive shed was opened on 14th February 1848 by the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway. The first shed
was located at the North end of Horsham station on the west side of the line and was a timber built three track straight dead-
ended shed. The facilities included a turntable sited across the access roads.
In 1896 a second shed was built to replace the existing shed. This being a much larger brick built shed with ten stall open
semi-roundhouse shed with a continuous pitched slate roof and located to the North of Horsham station on the East side of the
line. The new facilities included a 46ft turntable, a coal stage and a water tank. In 1901 The shed was enlarged by the
addition of another eight stalls to the South East end. On the 18th July 1959 The shed was closed but continued to be a Motive
Power Depot used for stabling locomotives and the facilities used as a servicing area until the end of steam in the Horsham
area 14th June1964. The locomotive shed finally demolished in 1969.
Three Bridges (3-B) 1848,
Three Bridges’s first locomotive shed was opened on 14th February 1848 by the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway, and
was a wooden built shed of some sort, it is believed to have been brought into use when the line to Horsham and possibly
expanded when the allocation was increase to cover the East Grinstead branch duties from 9th July 1855, engines were
stationed from Horsham’s allocation. The station was called “Crawley” until the Horsham branch opened.
Three Bridges second Locomotive shed was opened in 1860 this shed was a brick building located with a slated pitched roof,
and had two track straight dead-end shed, and was located at the South end of Three Bridges Junction station on the West side
of the line. The facilities included a 45ft turntable, a coal stage and a water tank. Due to space limitations these were sited
further south in the fork of the Brighton and Horsham lines.
In 1909 The third shed was closed and demolished to enable station enlargement. A third shed was temporary brick built one
track shed was built alongside the water tank while the new shed was being built.
In 1911 The forth new brick built three track straight through shed with a north light pattern slate roof was opened and
located to the south of Three Bridges station on the east side of the Horsham line. The facilities included a 65ft turntable, a
coal stage and a water tank.
In June 1964 the steam shed was closed and the steam depot becoming a Mixed Traction depot and the shed used for storage
of diesel locomotives and as a wagon repair shop. The Mixed Traction depot and the shed closed in April 1969.
Eastbourne (E) 1849,
Eastbourne Locomotive Shed was opened on 14th May 1849 by the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway. The first
locomotive shed was located at the North side of the station in the goods yard. The Locomotive shed was a two track straight
dead-ended shed which also included a coke/coal stage.
In 1876 the shed was closed following the opening of a new brick built 8 stall semi-roundhouse shed with a continuous
transverse pitched slate roof located at the East end of Eastbourne station on the North side of the line.
Facilities included a turntable and a coaling crane was later added.
In 1911 another new Locomotive shed was opened with 7 track straight through shed which was built from brick with a
transverse pitched slate roof was constructed and located to the north of Eastbourne station on the west side of the line. The
facilities included a 60ft turntable sited at the North end of the yard, a coal stage and a water tank. In 1912 the old
roundhouse shed was demolished and removal of the old roundhouse turntable in 1935.
During the Second World War the Locomotive shed was badly damaged during a German air raid and was never repaired to
its former to its former glory.
After 1952 the shed was mainly used to store redundant locomotives a waiting scrapping. The steam depot continued until
13th June1965 and was the last steam depot of the old L.B.S.C.R.,whereby it become a Mixed Traction depot and finally
closed in April 1969.
Lewes 1853-1870
Lewes locomotive shed was opened in 1853 by the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway. The shed was located on the
East side of the station. The shed was a brick built 2 track straight dead-ended shed with a gable style slate roof and the
facilities included a 35ft turntable and a water tank both sited on the opposite side on the line in the fork of the Brighton and
Wivesfield lines. The locomotive shed closed in 1870 and was converted in to a goods shed which was demolished in 1889 due
the enlargement of the station.
East Grinstead (E-G) 1857-c1896
East Grinstead Locomotive shed was opened on 9th July 1855 by the East Grinstead Railway and later owned by the London,
Brighton & South Coast Railway. The shed was located on the south side of East Grinstead station. The shed was a 1 track
straight dead-ended shed and the facilities included a water tank. In c1896 the shed was closed but the facilities continued to
be as a servicing area. In c1906 the shed was demolished, the water tank, engine pit and siding continued to be as a servicing
area.
Uckfield 1858-1868
Uckfield locomotive shed was opened on 18th October 1858 by the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway. The shed was
located in the vicinity of the station and was a one track straight shed. The shed closed on the 3rd August 1868.
Hailsham 1858-1880
Hailsham Locomotive Shed was opened in 1858 by the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway. The shed was Located on
the east side of Hailsham station and was a brick built 1 track straight dead-ended shed with a gable style slate roof. The shed
was to close in 1880.
Petworth 1859-1866
Petworth Locomotive Shed, was built by the Mid-Sussex Railway and opened on 10th October 1859. The shed was a timber
built 1 track straight shed and when the shed was closed in on the 15th October 1866 with the opening of the new L.B.S.C.R
shed at Midhurst. The shed was dismantled and later re-erected at Hayling Island in 1867
Polegate c1860-1900
Polegate Locomotive Shed was opened in c1860 by the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway. The shed was located at
the east end of Polegate Junction station in the fork of the Eastbourne and Hailsham lines. The shed was a brick built with 1
track straight dead-ended shed and the facilities were to include a 36ft turntable at the entrance and a water tank in the roof of
the shed.
In 1881 the length of the shed was reduced due to the realignment of the Hailsham line. The shed was to close not long after
alterations within the Polegate area.
Littlehamptom (Lton) 1863-1937
Littlehampton Locomotive Shed was opened on the 17th August 1863 by the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway. The
Littlehampton shed was located on the north side of Littlehampton station. The shed was a brick built 2 track straight dead-
ended shed with a hipped style slate roof. The facility at the shed was to include a 42ft turntable and a water tank.
Littlehampton shed was a sub-depot of Bognor whilst the shed was open. The shed and the steam depot were closed with the
electrification of Littlehampton in 1937.
Bognor (Bog) 1864-1962
Bognor locomotive shed was opened on the 1st June 1864 by the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway. The first
locomotive shed was located at the North end of the station on the east side of the line. The locomotive shed was a timber built
two track straight dead-ended shed which also included a turntable across the access line.
In 1903 the shed was closed and demolished and was replaced by a brick built 2 track straight through shed with a transverse
pitched style slate roof and was located nearby. The facilities included a 55ft turntable sited at the north end, a coal stage and
a water tank. The shed was closed in 1953 but the facilities continued in use as a servicing area. The shed and the steam
locomotive depot closed in November 1962, the Shed was demolished in the same year.
Bramley (Surrey) 1865 -1887
The 1887 London South Western Railway Motive Power Depot and its predecessor housed London, Brighton & South Coast
Railway engines after nearby Bramley shed blew down in an 1887 gale. For example Terriers Nos 36 Bramley and 77
Wonersh, at first and class C 0-6-0 No. 420 from 1890s. All carried Guildford shed code, but returned to Horsham at
weekends, for maintenance. This carried on until the Grouping when it ceased of course.
Midhurst, (Mid) (1866 -c1955)
Midhurst’s second locomotive shed was opened on 15th October 1866 by the Mid-Sussex and Midhurst Junction Railway and
later by the L.B. & S.C.R., was to replace the locomotive shed at Petworth. The shed was located to the north of Midhurst
station on the east side of the line and was a timber built 1 track straight through shed with a pitched roof. The Facilities
included a turntable (removed c1890s), a coal stage and a water tank. The shed was left to fall into disrepair was closed and
demolished in 1907 and was replaced by a timber built 1 track straight through shed with a pitched slate roof.
With formation of the Southern railway in 1923 the L.S.W.R. shed was closed in c12.7.1925 and the L.B.S.C.R. shed remained opened until c1955.
Tunbridge Wells West (Kent) (T-W) 1866-1985
Tunbridge Wells West locomotive Shed was opened on the 1st October 1866 by the East Grinstead, Groombridge & Tunbridge
Wells Railway and later under the ownership of the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway. The shed is located to the South
side of the station. The shed was a 2 track shed with one through road on the northern side and the facilities included a 52ft
turntable across the western single road entrance. In 1890 this shed was closed and demolished due to station enlargement.
A new brick built 4 track straight dead ended shed with a twin gable style slate roof was constructed and located on the north
side of Tunbridge Wells station. The facilities were improved to include a 52ft turntable across the western single road
entrance. In 1955 the shed was re-roofed with a louver pitched style asbestos clad steel framed roof over each track. The
steam shed was closed on 9th September 1963 and the shed
was used to stable the Emergency
Control Train.
(..) denotes shed codes on the LBSCR in c1884
L.B.& S.C.R. Locomotive Sheds opened in Hampshire, Surrey and the London area
Horley (Surrey) 1838 - 1840
West Croydon (1839 - 1935)
The London & Croydon Railway opened a motive power depot here in 1839. Little is known of the first loco shed, standing
remotely from the station against the southeast wall of the site.
1846 the shed was relocated to the west side of the layout which had no covering over the four shed roads and a turntable
were in place. By 1870, besides six roads for carriage storage, three undercover, the loco depot now had a two-road shed with
a 46-feet diameter turntable in the arrival/departure line. The shed was some 130 feet long, brick-built and ridge-roofed with
raised segments.
New Cross (1839 - 1949)
The London & Croydon Railway opened a motive power depot and a locomotive repair facility here on 1st June 1839, the
former of which appears to have been particularly accident prone. The original building, one of the earliest roundhouse,
burned down on the 14th October 1844. A replacement was built in 1845, and a straight shed built by the L.B.&S.C.R. in 1848
was blown down in a gale in October 1863. Two further buildings were constructed by the L.B.&S.C.R. in 1863 and 1869. By
1882 the second (1845) Croydon shed was derelict and in that year was replaced by the new shed, which was rebuilt with a
new roof by the Southern Railway prior to 1929.
The various running sheds began to be run down during the 1930s as part of a re-organisation scheme involving new
developments at Norwood Junction, but the onset of war meant that they were not formally closed until 1947 and were used
for stabling locomotive until 1951. They were demolished in 1957 together with the repair workshops, and replaced by sidings
for the storage of electric multiple units.
The locomotive workshops established by the London & Croydon Railway continued to undertake minor repairs on
locomotives in the London area for the L.B.& S.C.R. and the S.R., and also briefly for British Railway. They were closed in
1949.
Battersea (L.B.S.C.R.) 18 -
Epsom 1846 -1925
The London & Croydon Railway opened a motive power depot in 1846
Fratton 18
South Hayling 1872 - 1894
The South Hayling shed in 1867was formerly located at Petworth were it was dismantled and re-erected at Hayling Island in
1872. The shed was a timber built 1 track straight shed
Stoat’s Nest - Coulsdon 1899 - 1925
The L.B. & S.C.R. opened a motive power depot in closed in May 1925
Norwood 1935 (Southern Railway)
Norwood locomotive shed was opened by the Southern Railway with a five-road shed and a 65 ft turntable. The shed was
opened to replace West Croydon shed and after the Second World War New Cross. This locomotive shed was closed in 1964
and demolished in 1966. The motive power depot was relocated in Norwood Yard.
Sussex Locomotive Sheds opened by the London Chatham & South Eastern Railway
Hastings (1851 - 1929) the London Chatham &South Eastern Railway opened a locomotive shed at Hastings on the 13th
February 1851, and was a brick built three track shed with one through road and a gable style slate roof. The facilities
included a 45ft turntable sited on the western single track entrance, a coal stage and a water tank. The shed was closed and
demolished in 1929 due to station enlargement, the shed was amalgamated with the nearby St Leonards.
A servicing area was established and located at the west end of Hastings station on the north side of the line which included a
55ft turntable, a coal stage and a water column. These facilities remained until 1957.
Bexhill West 1902 - 1936
Bexhill West locomotive shed was opened on 1st June 1902 by the Crowhurst, Sidley & Bexhill Eastern Railway and later by
the South Eastern Railway. The shed was located on the west side of Bexhill West station. The shed was a brick built two track
straight dead-ended shed with a north light pattern slate and glass roof and the facilities Included a 55ft turntable, a coal
stage and a water tank. The shed was closed by the Southern Railwayin 1936 and was used as a locomotive store.
Locomotive Sheds opened by the London & South Western Railway
Midhurst (1864- 1925)
Midhurst’s first (LWSR) Locomotive Shed was opened on the 1st September 1864 by the London & South Western Railway.
The shed was located at the west end of Midhurst (LSWR) station on the north side of the line. The shed was a brick built 1
track straight shed with a pitched slate roof. The shed’s facilities included a 45ft turntable (removed c1912) and a coal stage.
With formation of the Southern railway in 1923 the L.S.W.R. shed was closed in c12.7.1925 and the L.B.S.C.R. shed remained opened until c1955.
The Hundred of Manhood
Selsey (1897 -1935)
Selsey locomotive shed was opened on the 27th August 1897 by the Hundred of Manhood & Selsey Tramway. The shed was
located on the north side of Selsey Town station and was was a timber built 2 track straight dead-ended shed with a gable
style roof. The shed was closed on the 19th January, 1935, by the Southern Railway.
WORKSHOPS AND MOTIVE POWER DEPOTS
The London and Brighton Railway established a repair workshop at Brighton in 1840. Between 1852 and 1957 more than
1,200 steam locomotives as well as prototype diesel electric and electric locomotives were constructed there, before the
eventual closure of the facility in 1962. In addition it also maintained a small locomotive repair facilities at the New Cross
and Battersea Depots in London.
By the first decade of the twentieth century Brighton works could no longer cope with the repair and building of both
locomotives and rolling stock. In 1911 the railway therefore built a carriage and wagon works in the village of Lancing which
operated until 1965. A marine engineering workshop was established in the mid 1870s at Newhaven.
The railway had Motive Power Depots at Battersea, Brighton, Bognor, Coulson, Croydon (West), Eastbourne, Epsom Fratton
(joint) Horsham, Littlehampton, Midhurst, New Cross, Newhaven, St. Leonards, Three Bridges and Tunbridge Wells West.
The headquarters and main offices of the railway were at Brighton Railway Station from 1846 until 1892, when they were
transferred to the former Terminus Hotel at London Bridge station.