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- Jan 6, 2013
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1. The History
Given just quite how extensive this place is, there is scant history about these former wagon works. Named Chatsworth Wagon Works, they were part of a larger company established by Andrew Nelson in 1880. Part of the Glasgow Rolling Stock company Hurst, Nelson and Co, outside of the company’s main works in Motherwell, Scotland there was an administrative office in London and another wagon works in Swansea, Wales.
Old advert from Hurst, Nelson and Co:
Wagon Works advert by HughieDW, on Flickr
And a war-time picture of the factory:
Archive picture by HughieDW, on Flickr
Beyond that, there is very little other information around on the web. However, the works appears to have closed sometime in the 80s and hence the site has been abandoned of the best part of 30/40 years.
2. The Explore
The site can be found in the outlying town of Old Whittington, just north of Chesterfield, Derbyshire. It's bounded by the Midland Main Line to the west and the River Whitting to the east. A revisit for me as I previously looked around here about a year ago under similar clear-blue May skies. It was a bit of a rush last time so thought the place needed another look.
Entry is a bit round the houses but if in the know, it’s easy enough. It very rarely gets reported on which is strange as there’s plenty to look at and the way nature is taking back the site is quite photogenic. It might be the fact that it is a bit of a shell with vast empty factories in varying states of decay with little left inside. That said, the relatively rural location and some excellent graff make this place a good way to spend an hour or so wandering around.
3. The Pictures
Some of the factories have almost completely been reclaimed by nature:
img0783 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0782 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0780 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0792 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0793 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Others, less so:
img0785 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0795 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0798 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0799 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0801 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0800 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0804 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0807 by HughieDW, on Flickr
The first of several Colorquix pieces:
Old Whittington 08 by HughieDW, on Flickr
And another:
img0811 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0810 by HughieDW, on Flickr
A nice bit of Brayk:
img0812 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Old Whittington 09 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Old Whittington 07 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0815 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0818 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0821 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0822 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0824 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0825 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0826 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0827 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0830 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Given just quite how extensive this place is, there is scant history about these former wagon works. Named Chatsworth Wagon Works, they were part of a larger company established by Andrew Nelson in 1880. Part of the Glasgow Rolling Stock company Hurst, Nelson and Co, outside of the company’s main works in Motherwell, Scotland there was an administrative office in London and another wagon works in Swansea, Wales.
Old advert from Hurst, Nelson and Co:
Wagon Works advert by HughieDW, on FlickrAnd a war-time picture of the factory:
Archive picture by HughieDW, on FlickrBeyond that, there is very little other information around on the web. However, the works appears to have closed sometime in the 80s and hence the site has been abandoned of the best part of 30/40 years.
2. The Explore
The site can be found in the outlying town of Old Whittington, just north of Chesterfield, Derbyshire. It's bounded by the Midland Main Line to the west and the River Whitting to the east. A revisit for me as I previously looked around here about a year ago under similar clear-blue May skies. It was a bit of a rush last time so thought the place needed another look.
Entry is a bit round the houses but if in the know, it’s easy enough. It very rarely gets reported on which is strange as there’s plenty to look at and the way nature is taking back the site is quite photogenic. It might be the fact that it is a bit of a shell with vast empty factories in varying states of decay with little left inside. That said, the relatively rural location and some excellent graff make this place a good way to spend an hour or so wandering around.
3. The Pictures
Some of the factories have almost completely been reclaimed by nature:
img0783 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0782 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0780 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0792 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0793 by HughieDW, on FlickrOthers, less so:
img0785 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0795 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0798 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0799 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0801 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0800 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0804 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0807 by HughieDW, on FlickrThe first of several Colorquix pieces:
Old Whittington 08 by HughieDW, on FlickrAnd another:
img0811 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0810 by HughieDW, on FlickrA nice bit of Brayk:
img0812 by HughieDW, on FlickrOld Whittington 09 by HughieDW, on FlickrOld Whittington 07 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0815 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0818 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0821 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0822 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0824 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0825 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0826 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0827 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0830 by HughieDW, on Flickr
