Wymondham To Wells Branch - Locomotive Sheds

Locomotive Sheds

Dereham shed

By 1880 Dereham boasted a two road wooden locomotive shed and a 45-foot turntable believed to have dated from the late 1860s and known to have replaced an earlier structure. The depot operated as an outstation of Norwich. In 1888 three locomotives were based at the depot. In 1926 the engine shed was rebuilt in brick. Dereham depot was closed as a steam shed on 19 September 1955—when DMU stock was introduced to the line. The shed was used to stable DMU stock until 1 September 1968. The shed was later demolished, and the site used for the construction of a rail-served fertiliser depot. This has since been demolished and the site is now the Dereham Leisure Centre.

Wells shed

Wells was provided with a combined engine and goods shed, with the locomotives having use of the whole shed when not required for goods. Wells also operated as an outstation of Norwich depot, and there were up to five locomotives based there. In 1929 the original 42-foot turntable was replaced by a second-hand 45-foot version. The shed officially closed in September 1955 and has since been demolished.