St Leonards Depot
This is a large,
spacious depot, situated alongside the approaches to Bopeep Junction from the
Bexhill direction. It formed part of the Hastings line modernisation, which
aimed to replace steam-hauled services on the main route via Tunbridge Wells
with diesel traction. Whilst the Southern Railway had, in 1946, proposed to
electrify the route after conversion of the Kent Coast main lines, these plans
were overtaken by nationalisation. Given the restricted tunnel clearances on
line, it was deemed more economical – at least in the short term – to build
tailor-made narrow-width diesel stock. The entire dieselisation scheme was
priced at over £3,500,000 (£68,100,000 at 2010 prices).
Two large sheds, clad with asbestos, were erected on the northern side of the
Central Division line, partly upon council-owned land. The western of these
measured 85-foot by 440-foot, accommodated four tracks, and became the
maintenance building. 320-yards east, the second shed covered five tracks and
measured 85-foot by 750-feet. The latter became a carriage inspection shed; it
was erected over existing sidings that had been laid by the SR. Both structures
were complete by spring 1957 and in May of the following year, an automatic
carriage washer was opened. Whilst affiliated with the depot, the washer was
erected ⅓-mile to the east, upon a loop sandwiched in-between St Leonards West
Marina station and its associated engine shed.
The depot fulfilled its original role for nearly three decades, providing cover
for the twenty-three ‘’main line’’ DEMUs, in addition to those which traversed the
non-electrified Hastings to Ashford line. On 28th October 1983, electrification
and complete re-signalling of the Hastings line via Tunbridge Wells was
announced. As part of this, St Leonards Depot would lose most of its diesel
allocation, and the tracks of the eastern inspection shed would be electrified.
Electric working along the Hastings line commenced on Sunday 27th April 1986 –
the diesel timetable ended on 11th of the following month. Coinciding with this
was the closure of the 800-foot-long EMU shed at nearby Ore. Staff from this
depot, which at this time totalled sixteen drivers and eight guards, were
transferred to St Leonards.
Summer 2011
A depot by the sea. An eleven-vehicle Class 375 formation is seen stabled in No. 1 road of the original carriage
inspection shed. This was built with an asbestos-clad concrete frame, but the former has recently been replaced
by corrugated metal. On the extreme right of this Hastings-bound view can just be seen the single-track to the
carriage washer, behind the fence. © Wayne Walsh
Summer 2011
Today, the inspection shed is host only to those EMUs run by ''Southeastern'', which traverse the route via
Tunbridge Wells. Hanging from the ceiling are yellow water pipes. © Wayne Walsh
Summer 2011
The elevated platform serves depot road Nos. 1 and 2. Note that the conductor rails end just over a carriage
length before the buffer stops. © Wayne Walsh
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