Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway Centre

During the week Barrow Hill is an operating railway depot. It is, however, open to visitors at weekends 10am - 4pm for a small donation. The site is now home to over sixty Steam, Diesel and Electric locomotives, plus numerous wagons and coaches. Each year we hold a Steam Gala and a Diesel Gala, both of which are extremely popular. We also open in the winter for Santa steam trains. The galas always feature visiting locomotives as well as trade stands, train rides, catering, a museum, a shop and a free bus service from Chesterfield Railway Station. The atmosphere in the Roundhouse is fantastic, particularly when full of steam.

The Roundhouse was completed in 1870 and was built to house the locomotives that worked in the local iron and steel works, and grew to be a major contributor to the local economy. It was not until the late 1960’s, when rail traffic started to decline, that the Roundhouse began to lessen in importance. It was finally closed by British Rail in February 1991.

An article in Steam Railway by Paul Smith, which predicted the closure and probable demolition of the Roundhouse, prompted Mervyn Allcock to form the Barrow Hill Engine Shed Society. After successfully lobbying the Chesterfield Borough Council, the building was given a preservation order, which prevented its demolition, just 48 hours before demolition was due! The building was later granted Grade 2 listed status by the Department of the Environment.

Now nine years on, the Roundhouse has been fully renovated and the facilities enhanced considerably. There is now a platform and running line as well as the addition of many sidings. Several existing features have been restored as well as many new features added including the re-instatement of twelve replica smoke-hoods. The Deltic Depot/museum has been completed (built by the Deltic Preservation Society), and the extension up the Springwell Branch has been re-laid. The new diesel maintenance depot has been completed and further enhancements over the next few years will include the purchase of a signal box and the rebuilding of the coaling stage.

I would like to thank all the volunteers, my fellow committee and management colleagues, the Chesterfield Borough Council and all the other organisations that have helped make my dream of Saving a Roundhouse become a reality.

by Mervyn Allcock