Welcome to my blog, Whats this about then?

This is a place where I will be posting all sorts of things not just things relating to Derby and Derbyshire. On here you will find details of any videos I’ve made of things in Derby and also Time-lapse, stop motion animation, Tutorials etc. If I find some useful software for PC or iPhone then I will feature it here.I’m sure that there will be something of interest to someone on my many posts.Please leave comments on any posts if you like them.
Don’t forget if you are new to my blog and would like to read through the previous posts then see the Blog Archive section on the left side of this page.
Also there is a Search box at the top left of the page if you are looking for something but cant remember where it was. I am a trustee member of "Friends of Friar Gate bridge", aiming to get this bridge restored.

Tuesday 8 October 2013

Fire in Derby at the former GNR Engine House on Great Northern Road - October 8th 2013.

Today Tuesday 8th October 2013 there was a large fire at the former Great Northern Railway Engine House on Great Northern Road, Derby. This is a real shame as this is a Grade II listed building dating back to 1877
The engine house was built to provide power for the hydraulic cranes, capstans and hoists in the Bonded warehouse nearby as well as the goods lift in Friar Gate station.

As far as I know this building and the GNR warehouse are still awaiting developement and are owned by Clowes Developments.

We really need to get Friar Gate Bridge, The Bonded warehouse and this engine house looked after as soon as possible otherwise we are going to loose these fine structures. Please sign my Friar Gate Bridge Petition today.

Here is a photograph of the tower of the GNR engine house during the fire this afternoon :
This is the "accumulator tower" part of the building.

Former GNR Engine house during the fire. The accumulator tower on fire.

Here is a short video someone took of the building on fire.





Here is a Google Streetview of the as seen in October 2012 :


View Larger Map



Here is a nice photograph showing the entire engine house in 2011 :
Views

There was some terrible reporting on this fire, reports of the fire being on "Great Northern Way" and the fire was in a "derelict factory". Friargate Pine Company left that building over 11 years ago so to call it a derelict factory is a bit misleading when its a Grade II listed former engine pump house, Most Cities would be proud of such heritage but in Derby we don't seem to care about it.

The Engine House was designed by Kirk & Randall of Sleaford who also did the goods warehouse.
It formed part of the Friargate Railway Station and Goods Yard.
Great Northern Road was called Dog Kennal Lane up until the 1880s

If you would like to know more about the former Friargate Railway Line then view my complete map :
Friargate Railway Line route map.


Thanks
Andy


3 comments:

  1. Hi
    I'm currently writing an article about this building for university, I didn't realise that it was an engine house.Could I ask you a few questions about it please?
    -Jess

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Andy

    I've been looking for photographs of the Derby mainline station before demolition and came across your site. Just wanted to let you know that the interactive Google map of the former Friargate Railway line is brilliant, a fantastic amount of work and really informative! I relocated to Derby three years ago and can't believe how poorly the city has treated it's built environment - the Great Northern Bonded Warehouse, bridge and engine house being a very visible case in point!

    The engine house is on SAVE's Buildings at Risk register. The entry begins 'The Engine House makes a statement in the vacant former railway yard in which it stands with its Italian campanile-esque tower'. The entry is due an update, they don't seem to be aware of the damage caused by the fire you describe above.

    I'm sure you are aware of this but other significant buildings on the SAVE list include the GNR warehouse itself, 27 Queen Street, Derby Marble Works, the former Art College on Green Lane, and the Hippodrome! It make me despair of the our city leaders ever doing the right thing.

    Keep up the good work and good luck!

    Tim

    ReplyDelete