Wolverton Works online
Recording the history of the World's longest continually operating railway Works
Now on twitter @marshrail
Gemini Rail Services operates Wolverton Works which is owned by St Modwen the property developer. They have outline panning consent to demolish the Works and will soon be applying for detailed planning consent to enable the demolition to commence. A new Works will be provided for Gemini Rail Services.
Welcome to Wolverton Works online. Site updated 24th April 2020. Look out for a series of free Wolverton Works' talks between 11th and 20th September as part of the UK Heritage Open Days. MK magazine Pulse carries a great feature by Sammy on Wolverton Works - check it out!
The Full Works is the official book published to commemorate the Works' 175th anniversary in September 2013. It is available from the author priced £6.50 including P&P from: P Marsh, 14 Milton Road, Willen Village, MK15 9AD.
War Memorial fund
Working with Dave Hilliard from Wolverton Works, Phil Marsh has donated £1000 from the anniversary book to the World War One War Memorial fund. Dave has raised several thousands of pounds working tirelessly towards the project completion.
This commemorates each of the 213 Wolverton Works men who gave their lives in this conflict. For some reason, the LNWR did not erect a War memorial to them. and we resolved to rectify this omission.
Dave Hilliard, supported by Knorr-Bremse, and Gemini Rail raised the required amount and the memorial (seen below was unveiled despite being actively blocked by St Modwen who do not respond to questions about the project.
Interested in the Royal Train? Visit; www.royaltrain.co.uk Visit the Milton Keynes Miniature Railway at Caldecotte Lake here - www.caldecotteminiaturerailway.co.uk
Who recalls this 1960s Works' maintenance gang? And Boxer Adams!
Above: St Modwen's active blocking of the Works WW1 Memorial was overcome when it was at last unveiled on 17 September, the 181st anniversary of the Works opening by the Town Hall almost opposite the location of the Works main entrance which was demolished 45 years ago.
It had been intended that it be sited next to the current works entrance, on the Stratford Road but negotiations with St Modwen, the site’s owner, failed to agree this placement.
The Railway Heritage Trust made a contribution to siting the memorial which unlocked other funds by local councillors. Two images from the unveiling with Andy Savage from the RHT, Dave Hilliard, Dave French & 93 year old Mrs French.
Below Xmas Day Works dereliction pix
From 1885 the official Wolverton Park opening medal. From 1959 an official BR photo of Wolverton station looking north. And Mothers Day flowers on the Works shunter this year!
The latest chapter in the Works 181 year long history:
Knorr Bremse bought the rail vehicle renovation businesses at Wolverton and Springburn on 26th August 2013 from Railcare’s
Administrators for £6.6million. The new company was named Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems (UK) Ltd registered at Companies House on 19 August 2013 with just one share issued. The initial set of accounts covering to the end of 2014 showed a turnover was £ 34.1million with an operating loss of £18.4million with a shareholder deficit £13.2million. MD Paul Goodhand wrote: “Profitability of vehicle refurbishment projects has initially been poor, but as a result of intensive work to improve tendering, purchasing procedures and project management, it is now improving”. It clearly didn't! as the next financial year showed a turnover of £54million, an increased shareholder deficit of £13.4million. Year three ending 31 December 2016 accounts showed an operating loss of £15million explained by …significant losses on a number of contracts and provision of £1.8million against obsolete stock…. Parent company loans had reached £46.5million,
The final trading year ending 31 December 2017, KBRS reported a loss of £5.3million against a turnover of £67.9million with the parent company loan now £53.8million. The Annual report says “We anticipate and improvement in financial results in 2018.” But accounting note 1.3 in the report says the parent company is considering selling the Company and is at an advanced stage of negotiation with a prospective purchaser. It also outlined the poor financial position stating …..the company has a history of losses and net current liabilities of £35million at 31 Dec 2017. The intercompany demand loan was £53.8million at the end of 2017. Company accounts show that the UK Knorr-Brese Group had to pay £10million to the owning company in Germany.
On 9th November 2018, KBRS was renamed Gemini Rail Services UK Ltd and the takeover legally completed. The KBRS Cessation certificate was lodged at Companies House on 31st October 2018 and five years of heavy losses for them ended. Gemini Rail Services was in business.
The Gemini Rail Services shunter on Church Street Crossing
