Motive Power Depot

Motive power depot, usually abbreviated to MPD, is a name given to places where locomotives are stored when not being used, and also repaired and maintained. They were originally known as "running sheds", "engine sheds", or, for short, just sheds. Facilities are provided for refuelling and replenishing water, lubricating oil and grease and, for steam engines, disposal of the ash. There are often workshops for day to day repairs and maintenance, although locomotive building and major overhauls are usually carried out in the locomotive works.

MPDs in Britain are now often known as traction maintenance depots.

Read more about Motive Power Depot:  German Practice, Engine Sheds in The Steam Era, Engine Sheds in The Modern Era, Stabling and Fuelling Points

Famous quotes containing the words motive and/or power:

    A supreme love, a motive that gives a sublime rhythm to a woman’s life, and exalts habit into partnership with the soul’s highest needs, is not to be had where and how she wills.
    George Eliot [Mary Ann (or Marian)

    What wouldst thou do, old man?
    Think’st thou that duty shall have dread to speak
    When power to flattery bows?
    William Shakespeare (1564–1616)