Steamtown Carnforth

Steamtown Carnforth is a working railway depot and locomotive base on the site of the former British Rail motive power depot beside Carnforth station. The site retains its coaling tower, turntable, water columns and running shed, and is one of the few surviving complete steam-era depots in the country.

Today the depot is operated as a base for West Coast Railways, servicing and stabling mainline steam and heritage diesel locomotives that work charters across the UK network, including the Jacobite in the West Highlands. Regular locomotives associated with the depot have included the Duchess of Sutherland, Galatea and Leander, among others.

Public access to the depot itself is limited compared to the days when Steamtown ran as an open museum, but it is often possible to see locomotives on the turntable or arriving under steam through the station, and open days and organised visits are held periodically. Carnforth station is also worth a look in its own right for its Brief Encounter associations, with a heritage refreshment room and small visitor centre in the station buildings.