Gateshead MPD (some internals) 2002

[dave]

After seeing TK421s excellent report on Gateshead MotivePower Depot and noting there was no internal pics i thought i better put some of mine up. This place has been one of my favourite explores for many years now going back to the mid 1980s up to final closure and demolition. I have spent hours and hours over the years photographing it inside and out. It helps when you live close by, sometimes i would go 2 or 3 times a week. I must apologise for the pic quality mind as they were all taken with 35mm film then scanned for this purpose i hope the quality isnt too bad this series dates from April 2002 demolition started later that year and was totally flattened by 2003 very sad to see i might add. Anyway on with some pics and if anyone is interested i have plenty more and some as a working depot as i knew quite a few blokes who worked there.

The building on the right is still standing and is the old blacksmiths shop it has a basement which is still accessible it has been reported on elsewhere i think.

This one is on the roof of the office block looking east. Of course people are now living on this site which was a £100 million development at the time.

looking over to the daily shed or fuelling area.

looking to the plant stores building and part of the original 1800s depot

inside the offices next to the main shed last used by Jarvis.

same office section

again more trashed offices

inside the main shed

one of many rooms off the main shed area

Final pic of the main shed again looking in a sorry state On one of my visits here i went with an old friend who worked in the shed for many years as a fitter he was very saddened to see it in this state and even his old bench was still there albeit covered in pigeon **** etc. More pics to come if any interest.

 

[TK421]

Top draw stuff there Dave! Great to see inside the main depot again, I have fond memories as a kid of getting the occasional look inside, full of Deltics, 47's and splendid 03's! Really pleased you uploaded these mate, well done.

 

[dave]

Cheers TK yes i really only saw the shed in its final 7 or 8 years though i did cover just about every nook and cranny of it. After it was a loco shed it was a wagon repair depot and i have quite a few pics of those operations taking place when the WRD finally went to Tyne Yard the shed more or less went into total neglect any wagons stored there were removed and the 2 08s were taken outside and dismantled on site as your report showed. Jarvis sometimes left their road vehicles inside but this was soon stopped as a security measure. One of the north east's great sheds RIP 52A.