The depot at Slade Green was opened in 1901 after the amalgamation of the SER and LCD, instead of extending the then current depot at Bricklayers Arms. It could (and probably still can) hold 110 steam locomotives, most of which were the small tank engines which worked the trains on the line. The depot was converted for EMU operation in 1924, with the last of the resident steam locomotive disappearing in 1926. The shed consisted of 10 lines, which is roughly the same as today, with two 50ft turntables at each end (which, sadly, are long gone!). |
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North End. Unlike the Southern end of the shed, the north end has been
treated with a new modern roof (a very recent change) which contrasts with the
old walls. Three class 465's are
visible inside the shed. The lines in the foreground run to the repair shed.
photograph by David Glasspool |
Another shot of the north end, looking head on. The gantries
on the far right hold the lighting for the sidings alongside.
photograph by David Glasspool |
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An overview of the whole depot layout, from a local footbridge; the line
curving sharply off to the right is the beginning of the Dartford loop line.
Over the years siding numbers have increased, with rails being laid on both
sides of the mainline. In-between the daily peak hours is when there is always
a mass of stock in the depot.
photograph by David Glasspool |
When visiting Slade Green, one can always be guaranteed to
see a piece of rollingstock from another region, which is being stored. Here, a
class 421 is just making its way
inside the shed, in Connex South Central livery. Other visitors in the past
have been old Network South East EMUs (a long time after NSE's demise),
preserved green liveried EMUs and an example of the new in 2003 class 375 "Electrostar", which does
not yet work the line via Dartford.
photograph by David Glasspool |
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When the then new class 465 was being introduced, it was decided to rebuild
the Maintenance Depot at the Southern end of the Slade Green engine shed. This
was done in 1991 and is the current repair shed for the stock which uses the
line. It is only really possible to get shots of this through the glass of a
service train, hence the slightly 'smeared' effect!
photograph by Tom Martin |
The current repair section on the side of the old depot. Originally two
lines would have entered this section, with an additional external siding on
the left.
photograph by David Glasspool |
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Another westward view from a Charing Cross - Dartford
service, showing a class 465 in front of the current loading bay of the depot.
photograph by David Glasspool |
This is a good view of the original structure of the building - the east
wall. The white coloured section of the wall, which can be seen at the far end,
indicates where part of the old structure was and where the second line would
have entered. Behind that section is the original wall structure for the old
water tower, which was capable of holding 150,000 gallons of water. A much
smaller one has replaced it, as can be seen here.
photograph by David Glasspool |
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The station is a key point for the Slade Green depot train
crew. Both here and at Dartford is where a good proportion of the train crew
change is undertaken. Usually drivers from the Slade Green depot will embark on
a Dartford bound train here and pick their train up at Dartford.
photograph by David Glasspool |
Text from David Glasspool |
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This page was created 5 February 2003