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 development 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.
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| 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 :
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
Hi
ReplyDeleteI'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
Hi jess, yes you can. Andy
DeleteHi Andy
ReplyDeleteI'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