“Not open to the public” is the first thing that might spring to mind when you hear about Southall Railway Centre. However, its story is worth telling. It is a testament to railway heritage.
Southall Railway Centre is a railway heritage center in west London. It sits near Southall railway station and the Grand Union Canal. The site was formerly part of the Great Western Railway.
Let’s take a step back in time. A locomotive shed has been at Southall since 1859. The Great Western Railway originally owned it. The shed was rebuilt in 1884 with six roads. It was demolished in 1953. A more modern steam shed replaced it. Southall was the last London steam depot on the Western Region of British Railways. It outlasted Old Oak Common. Steam operations finally ceased in December 1965.
The depot later served for DMU maintenance. This lasted for ten years. Final operational closure came under British Rail. From 1993 to 1998, it was a base for the Heathrow Express electrification program.
Today, three independent groups use the site. It is now known as Southall Railway Centre. Locomotive Services maintains and operates several locomotives. Jeremy Hosking owns the company. They lease Roads 1 and 2 from Network Rail. These roads are closest to the mainline. West Coast Railways uses it as an operational base. They house several preserved mainline-registered steam locomotives here.
The Great Western Railway Preservation Group once operated here. However, it formally liquidated in September 2021. Due to the GWRPG’s closure in 2021, all their locomotives transferred to new owners. These included Peckett and Sons No. 2100 William Murdoch. Also Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns No. 7386 Birkenhead, AEC 4wDM Shunter, Ruston Hornsby Class 165 DS No. AD251 Francis Baily, and Baguley Drewry Railcar No. AD9117.
Some of these locomotives remain at Southall. Some are stored elsewhere. There is also an assortment of goods and passenger rolling stock at Southall.
Southall Railway Centre had public open days. For example, there was one on August 27, 2007. Visitors could see the historical stock of steam and diesel locomotives. This included the AEC Shunter, a unique vehicle. Many GWR and BR wagons and coaching stock were on display. Many had been restored to their original condition. There was a museum area and refreshment facilities. Workshops housed stock and railway artifacts. Train rides were free with an entry ticket.
Southall Railway Centre tells a story of evolution. It moved from steam to diesel. It adapted to changing needs. Though not always open, its impact on railway history remains. It stands as a reminder of a bygone era. Preserving this heritage for future generations remains vital.