Swanage locomotive shed, turntable pit and retaining wall

The Swanage locomotive shed and turntable pit, built in 1885, was likely designed by Galbraith and Church for the Swanage Railway. The building underwent restoration and minor alterations in the late 20th century, while the original turntable was removed in 1967. A new turntable was installed in the early 21st century, along with a post-1955 ancillary building on the north side of the locomotive shed, both of which are not included in the listing.

The engine shed is made of cut and squared Purbeck stone and has a slate roof. It has a rectangular plan and is slightly offset from the track. The structure is a single track, four-bay engine shed, previously known as the 71B sub-shed, designed to accommodate one locomotive. The north and south elevations feature a chamfered plinth and four windows with original frames and small panes, all set under cambered arches. The west end has a segmental-arched doorway with boarded double doors, while the east end is open with boarding in the gable. This end once had a similar doorway to the west, but it was altered after being damaged. The gabled roof includes two low and two tall ventilators that have been restored.

Inside, the walls are whitewashed stone, and there is a single track with a central inspection pit running the length of the building, flanked by walkways on either side. The roof retains timber king post trusses and two rows of purlins.

The uncovered turntable associated with the locomotive shed is set into the hillslope and features a curved stone rubble retaining wall on its north side. It has a circular depression approximately 15.2 meters in diameter, with pit walls lined in random stone rubble and a concrete floor. The concrete inner circle was added later to support the replacement steel locomotive turntable, which is now manually operated and was manufactured by Cowans, Sheldon & Co Ltd of Carlisle. This current turntable is not included in the listing.