New Storage Shed

Sarah Hodgson's artist's impression showing position relative to MH station of the new storage shed

An additional storage shed parallel with MH station run round loop was first proposed by the TR Trust many years ago.   Initially, a 3 road shed was imagined, but a more pragmatic 2 road shed is now in the offing, with TR Co in charge of the scheme & a contractor erecting the shed structure.   Some site preparation has been done, such as removal of stock, van bodies, a siding, and a concrete pad.   The track inside the shed will be panels which we had laid on our branch between 1976-1990, but removed & replaced several years ago.

The need for the shed has become more apparent with the years, including:
* to conserve stock, some of which has been in the open at MH for over 40 years;
* to house stock to be moved from long term storage in other sheds;
* to clear more covered accommodation in other sheds for restored vehicles;
* to improve the appearance of MH site;
* to improve safety in MH yard;
* to improve security.

The south elevation of the shed - 90m long with translucent roof sheets

The structure & appearance of the storage shed will be similar to the carriage sheds at MH & ET - structural steelwork with grey sinusoidal cladding sheets (a style common in the early 20th century), supplied & erected by the same contractor as at ET, with similarly-clad doors.   The shed will be 90m long, so starts at the western site boundary & has low eaves height to minimise visual impact relative to MH engine shed.

2 x 90m roads will not enable all stock to be placed undercover.   180m is 590 feet, but some of this will be needed for access.   6-wheel locos or 4-wheel carriages are each about 30-35 feet long, 4-wheel locos or waggons perhaps 20-25 feet; bogie carriages about 50 feet.   Note that the shed is intended & designed for longer term storage, not for restoration work or public access.   It will be connected to MH run round loop, but stock should rarely need to moved, eg for restoration.

An aerial view of the site appears in a Nov'23 blog post.   Please contact David, Brian, Ian or me with any questions or comments you may have about the shed.

Info board mounted on the panels for the shed, from the viewpoint shown