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Showing posts with label Millbay Docks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Millbay Docks. Show all posts

Monday, 16 July 2012

GWR Goods Shed, Millbay Docks

Site Visited - June 2009

Adjacent to the GWR baggage store was this smaller goods shed, with platform consisting of blue & red brick steps. The exact year when this was built is unclear but is thought to pre-date the larger building, it's last use being a car repair garage or storage for Vospers judging by miscellaneous equipment left abandoned such as diagnostics & wheel alignment machines. The shed was connected to the baggage store via a gate with a small guardhouse attached, although the gate had long gone & replaced with a wall, this was an entry point for vehicles at one time. Interestingly the long brick walled side of the shed exterior had a ghost ad faintly visible & i'm still trying to determine what it actually read in full, I'm assuming the first part read 'Great', so my guess is the Great Western. I've searched everywhere to find old photographs but found nothing yet, have a look for yourself & see if you can make out what the full ad would have read.









Sunday, 8 July 2012

GWR Baggage Store, Millbay Docks

Site visits between 2008/9

Part of the Great Western Railway line, this baggage store was built in the 1920's for passengers arriving & departing at the Great Western Docks, Millbay. The last GWR passenger train ran from the docks in 1963, although it continued to be used by freight trains until 1971. Afterwards it was used by Farley's for storage possibly in the late '70s, early '80s & finally Vospers car showroom until being abandoned & left derelict for years. Deemed an eyesore by many who failed to appreciate it's striking features, notably the curved rear section where trains would once pass through to the docks, this fantastic building is now gone, recently demolished as part of the ongoing regeneration of the Millbay area. This would have made a striking conversion but instead it will probably be replaced with some ghastly looking apartments that have no character.


Image showing the unique curved section

The view from the ferry port road


Loading platform

A different angle


The vehicle loading bay

Cast iron spiral staircase to the offices


Doorway to the offices

Lift controls

Just one of the thousands of old Farley's baby food tins, this batch destined for export to the Far East

The Farley's tins floor!


At the top of the main spiral staircase, roof level


Looking at the spiral staircase exit on the roof


Looking down one of the lift shafts

British Transport lift regulations notice

Lift hydraulics on the roof


Top of the baggage chute

Top of one of the lifts


Photos during the demolition





A section of the baggage chute looks more like a snail, trying to escape the cutter's torch!