Wolverton Railway Works
History
Wolverton railway works was established in Wolverton, Buckinghamshire, by the London and Birmingham Railway Company in 1838 at the midpoint of the 112 miles (180 km)-long route from London to Birmingham. The line was developed by Robert Stephenson following the great success of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway line.
The Victorian era new towns of Wolverton and New Bradwell were built to house the workers and service the works. The older towns of Stony Stratford and Newport Pagnell grew substantially too, being joined to it by a tramway and branch line (known as the "Newport Nobby"), respectively. The trams were also hauled by steam locomotives: the tram cars were certainly the largest ever in the UK and possibly the world. In modern times Wolverton railway works remains notable as the home of the British Royal Train but otherwise is very much reduced from its heyday.
As of 2013, the facility is much reduced: a full-scale train maintenance, repairs and refurbishment works is operated at the western end of the site, the central area is derelict but slated for redevelopment, the eastern end is a Tesco store with canal-side housing development at the extreme eastern end.
The Victorian era new towns of Wolverton and New Bradwell were built to house the workers and service the works. The older towns of Stony Stratford and Newport Pagnell grew substantially too, being joined to it by a tramway and branch line (known as the "Newport Nobby"), respectively. The trams were also hauled by steam locomotives: the tram cars were certainly the largest ever in the UK and possibly the world. In modern times Wolverton railway works remains notable as the home of the British Royal Train but otherwise is very much reduced from its heyday.
As of 2013, the facility is much reduced: a full-scale train maintenance, repairs and refurbishment works is operated at the western end of the site, the central area is derelict but slated for redevelopment, the eastern end is a Tesco store with canal-side housing development at the extreme eastern end.
My Visit
Visited with Southside Assassin, was a great explore, for some reason I wasn't expecting much from Wolverton, perhaps just the description of Railway works and not being a trainspotter, it didn't really get my juices flowing.
I couldn't have been more wrong!! Once inside I could see this was going to be a great explore, it has everything, high parts, underground cellars, industrial equipment, in fact I would liken it to a mini Millennium Mills type explore. We mooched around for 5hrs in this place, I loved it! Once again thank you to Southside Assassin for introducing me to this little nugget. The place
is mostly made of wood, so hasnt stood the test of time very well, its very spongy and downright dangerous in some places, not sure how much longer this place has left, not long!
I couldn't have been more wrong!! Once inside I could see this was going to be a great explore, it has everything, high parts, underground cellars, industrial equipment, in fact I would liken it to a mini Millennium Mills type explore. We mooched around for 5hrs in this place, I loved it! Once again thank you to Southside Assassin for introducing me to this little nugget. The place
is mostly made of wood, so hasnt stood the test of time very well, its very spongy and downright dangerous in some places, not sure how much longer this place has left, not long!
The Cellars
Lower Floor
1st Floor
Thank you for looking!
