Ashford Locomotive Works
Constructed in 1847 by the South Eastern Railway Company, Ashford Locomotive Works was a replacement for a previous wagon works which was based in New Cross, London. The construction of the facility also included the building of nearly 150 homes to house the workers.
Over the years, The company grew to employ around 1300 people by the start of the 20th century.
During the late 1800s into the early 1900s, with the help of various locomotive boffins, the facility specialized in making many steam powered trains, until WW2 when production ceased. After the war, the company turned its attention to a new era of train travel, the diesel-electric locomotives. They slowly carried on making and maintaining various locomotives until in 1981 when British Rail pulled the plug, leaving 950 people without jobs.
The explore was very relaxed, initially I was on edge as there were various motion sensors mounted on large poles around the site, but these must have been disconnected or faulty along with the sensors inside the building, one of which I was stood about 30 cm away from my face without realizing, so it's a good job they didn't work!
Constructed in 1847 by the South Eastern Railway Company, Ashford Locomotive Works was a replacement for a previous wagon works which was based in New Cross, London. The construction of the facility also included the building of nearly 150 homes to house the workers.
Over the years, The company grew to employ around 1300 people by the start of the 20th century.
During the late 1800s into the early 1900s, with the help of various locomotive boffins, the facility specialized in making many steam powered trains, until WW2 when production ceased. After the war, the company turned its attention to a new era of train travel, the diesel-electric locomotives. They slowly carried on making and maintaining various locomotives until in 1981 when British Rail pulled the plug, leaving 950 people without jobs.
The explore was very relaxed, initially I was on edge as there were various motion sensors mounted on large poles around the site, but these must have been disconnected or faulty along with the sensors inside the building, one of which I was stood about 30 cm away from my face without realizing, so it's a good job they didn't work!
