We paid a visit to the Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway Centre, which is the last surviving railway roundhouse in the UK that still has a workable turntable.
It seems to have been closed for ages, due to covid, so I was really looking forward to visiting, now its doors are finally open.
The Roundhouse was built in 1870. After the threat of closure and demolition in 1991, it was saved by a group of volunteers who subsequently turned it into a railway museum.
Thankfully, there are still plenty of volunteers happy to work and keep the place open.
In the museum, there are steam and diesel locomotives, a working signal box, platform and the Springwell Branch running line.
The Roundhouse also puts on certain events, such as the Rail Ale Beer and Music Festivals as well as other themed activities at the weekends.
There was quite a lot to see. The smell of oil, rust and all things old clung to the air (and that was just from me!) For just a £5 entrance fee it was well worth the visit.
Photos by @ellenripley - Julie S. All rights reserved.