Motive Power Depot - Engine Sheds in The Modern Era

Engine Sheds in The Modern Era

The maintenance of the new diesel locomotives in filthy steam sheds soon proved difficult and although some old sheds survived, many new diesel depots were built on new sites or on the sites of the old steam sheds. The major problem was the disposal of oil which initially was left lying around causing pollution and safety issues. The new depots were equipped to deal with diesel fuel and the ability to access the underside as well as upper body work was improved. The tasks were not that much different in that diesel locomotives were fuelled rather than coaled (although they did require water as early diesels were equipped with steam boilers).

Since privatisation in the UK, some depots are now operated by the train builders who maintain the trains under contract with train operators.