Monument record 15872/1 - Audley Lines Junction and Locomotive Depot - The North Staffordshire Railway, Audley Branch

<1> Dyble, D, Unknown, The Audley Branch Railway (Web Site). SCH9439.

There were a considerable number of locomotives working the branch line by 1890. In response the North Staffordshire Railway opened an engine shed at Alsager Junction, to remove the need for locomotives to travel to the Stoke shed. By 1913, this had become the second largest locomotive depot on the North Staffordshire Railway with up to thirty engines stationed there. Most were large tank engines for working the branch and its colliery offshoots. However, larger tender engines were available to take over coal trains in the exchange sidings close by the engine shed, for their main line journeys. After the North Staffordshire Railway was absorbed into the LMS in 1923, and only fifteen locomotives were stationed there, reducing to single figures as the collieries closed in the 1930s. The shed closed completely in 1962.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ8055, 1875-1891 (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

This map depicts two or three passing loops adjacent to the main line. Two further passing loops and two sidings are located on the branch line. A water tank is also located here.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1896-1898, Ordnance Survey First Revision County Series (Epoch 2) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ8055, 1898-1899 (Maps and Plans). SCH3848.

This map depicts an extensive depot with a considerable number of sidings. Between the branch line and the mainline is a large engine shed covering four lines. A turntable is located to the immediate north. Further smaller buildings, including a signal box, are located within the area.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1909-1912, Ordnance Survey Second Revision County Series (Epoch 3) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ8055, 1909 (Maps and Plans). SCH4361.

As previously depicted.

<5> Huntings Surveys Ltd, 1971-1973, 1971-1973 County Survey, HSL UK 73 55, Run 37, no.1129, 15/05/1973 (Aerial Photograph). SCH4881.

The railway tracks appear to have been removed, though many of the buildings appear to be extant, including the engine shed and the signal box. The turntable is also still visible.

<6> Airviews Ltd, 1983-5, 1983-1985 Airviews Survey, Run 8, no.34451, 01/10/1983 (Aerial Photograph). SCH5296.

Only the engine shed is still extant.

<7> National Remote Sensing Centre Ltd, 1992-3, National Remote Sensing Centre County Survey (1992-1993), 177/92_26 no.26, 31/10/1992 (Aerial Photograph). SCH5297.

The engine shed has been demolished.