Old Oak Common MPD

Photos taken at Old Oak Common loco shed, the GWR's main depot in London, shedcode 81A. Starting in the early 1960s onwards, more shots yet to be added from later years. The depot has now been closed completely and is in the final stages of demolition, though the site is likely to be used for further railway purposes, possibly in connection with the Crossrail project and HS2. Early photos are once again taken with the Voigtländer Vito CLR camera on Agfa CT18 film.

31413 comes into the yard at Old Oak Common from the Paddington direction, working what looks like some sort of inspection or test train. It is seen from the old footbridge that led from the canal towpath, beyond the wall to the left, into the yard, the bridge reflected in the loco's windscreen. Summer 1981? According to information received, the first vehicle in the train is the GWR "Whitewash" coach, rebuilt from an old 3rd Class Toplight carriage. This was attached to the rear of service trains and whitewash was dropped on the tracks anywhere that a rough ride was detected! The second coach is the specially built high speed test car for track evaluation at up to 125mph.

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31413 comes into the yard at Old Oak Common from the Paddington direction, working what looks like some sort of inspection or test train. It is seen from the old footbridge that led from the canal towpath, beyond the wall to the left, into the yard, the bridge reflected in the loco's windscreen. Summer 1981? According to information received, the first vehicle in the train is the GWR "Whitewash" coach, rebuilt from an old 3rd Class Toplight carriage. This was attached to the rear of service trains and whitewash was dropped on the tracks anywhere that a rough ride was detected! The second coach is the specially built high speed test car for track evaluation at up to 125mph.

GMP Neg 31413 OldOakCommon xxxx81

Baz Glenister
on March 30, 2013
Excellent stuff Geoff. I spent many a Sunday at OOC in the early 60's.I also have a pics of 5014 Goodrich Castle and 7018 Drysllwyn Castle taken in roughly the same location as your shot.Did you ever take a ride on the turntable when a loco came in the shed?I used to do it regularly and nobody said a word to me. These days if you walk within 50 yards of a depot gate you get a security guard demanding what you're up to!How times change.Keep up the good work.
Richard
on April 17, 2011
Geoff, glad I found your work here missed seeing it when photopic went dead. The amenities block, where your photo of Goodrich Castle, on Friday 15 Apr 2011 the modern block had been raised to the ground the older part will soon fall victim to the demolition gang. The 1960's running shed went a week or 2 ago, also what was know as the stores has gone, the loco "factory" on Friday the south wall was part down 81A is going quite quick
Richard

Old Oak Common MPD

Baz Glenister

Richard