Carnforth: the coaling plant

The coaling plant at Carnforth, built in 1939 for the London Midland Scottish Railway, is a Grade II* listed structure designed for mechanically refuelling steam locomotives with coal.

Constructed from reinforced concrete, the plant features steel chutes and mechanisms. It takes the form of a mass concrete tower that spans a standard gauge railway line, flanked by two additional lines to the east and west. The main body of the tower includes two hoppers with a capacity of 75 tons each, connected to chutes designed to discharge coal into locomotive tenders located directly below or to the west of the tower.

On the east face of the tower, there is a winch mechanism for raising fully laden 15 ton coal wagons, which is covered by a large projecting hood at the top. The control cabin, which is situated at the top of the tower, is accessed via ladders and walkways on the western face.