A brief look at the history of Wolverton Works
Perhaps the best precis of Wolverton Works’ history was written for consideration by the Milton Keynes planning committee when considering 2016 St Modwen’s proposals to demolish over 95% of the buildings.
It was written by Andrew McLean, Head Curator, National Railway Museum. He wrote:
"Wolverton Works was established in 1838 and by 1907 it was the largest railway building and repair works in Britain. Wolverton was one of the first ‘Railway towns.’ It is connected to some of the most significant figures in 19th century Britain including Robert Stephenson and Lord Wolverton of Glyn’s Bank fame. It is the place most closely connected to the Royal Train in all its guises. A number of these carriages – amongst the most significant and influential rail vehicles in the world - are now in the National Collection based at the National Railway Museum. Wolverton played a significant role in building, maintaining and repairing military vehicles in the Second World War. Taken together the site presents significant evidential, historical and communal value, all recognised core conservation principles. As an ensemble, the remaining Wolverton Works buildings are an incredibly important survival. Wolverton has already lost some of its buildings. We believe that those that are now at risk should be looked at again in the context of a changing and deeper understanding of Britain’s railway heritage."
Wolverton Works is simply the world’s oldest and longest continuously open standard gauge railway works opening for business in 1838 and home to Royal Train vehicles since 1842.
Wolverton assembled the Bury designed locomotives from 1838 and manufactured the famous McConnel ‘Bloomers’ into the 1860s. The Works then lost its locomotive operations to Crewe and became the UK’s pre-eminent Carriage & Wagon Works employing over 5000 people in 1914. The Works then turned to military use building Ambulance Trains and manufacturing ammunition. Wartime military activity resumed in 1939 building gliders, repairing aircraft and converting lorries into mobile Army workshops.
The workforce steadily reduced to 1000 by 1991 after which ownership of the rail business has changed on a regular basis and St Modwen the property developers had purchased the land and buildings.
The ‘Full Works’ book details changes in ownership plus some of the various historical landmark moments in its history, including the pitched battles at Wolverton over Christmas 1834 between canal staff and Stephenson’s navvies. The Works’ history is also discussed in several of the Wolverton themed talks given by Phil Marsh.
It was written by Andrew McLean, Head Curator, National Railway Museum. He wrote:
"Wolverton Works was established in 1838 and by 1907 it was the largest railway building and repair works in Britain. Wolverton was one of the first ‘Railway towns.’ It is connected to some of the most significant figures in 19th century Britain including Robert Stephenson and Lord Wolverton of Glyn’s Bank fame. It is the place most closely connected to the Royal Train in all its guises. A number of these carriages – amongst the most significant and influential rail vehicles in the world - are now in the National Collection based at the National Railway Museum. Wolverton played a significant role in building, maintaining and repairing military vehicles in the Second World War. Taken together the site presents significant evidential, historical and communal value, all recognised core conservation principles. As an ensemble, the remaining Wolverton Works buildings are an incredibly important survival. Wolverton has already lost some of its buildings. We believe that those that are now at risk should be looked at again in the context of a changing and deeper understanding of Britain’s railway heritage."
Wolverton Works is simply the world’s oldest and longest continuously open standard gauge railway works opening for business in 1838 and home to Royal Train vehicles since 1842.
Wolverton assembled the Bury designed locomotives from 1838 and manufactured the famous McConnel ‘Bloomers’ into the 1860s. The Works then lost its locomotive operations to Crewe and became the UK’s pre-eminent Carriage & Wagon Works employing over 5000 people in 1914. The Works then turned to military use building Ambulance Trains and manufacturing ammunition. Wartime military activity resumed in 1939 building gliders, repairing aircraft and converting lorries into mobile Army workshops.
The workforce steadily reduced to 1000 by 1991 after which ownership of the rail business has changed on a regular basis and St Modwen the property developers had purchased the land and buildings.
The ‘Full Works’ book details changes in ownership plus some of the various historical landmark moments in its history, including the pitched battles at Wolverton over Christmas 1834 between canal staff and Stephenson’s navvies. The Works’ history is also discussed in several of the Wolverton themed talks given by Phil Marsh.