West Worthing Shed

West Worthing shed was provided as part of the Southern Railway's main line electrification from London to Brighton and West Worthing of 1933. It comprised of three covered roads of 12 cars as well as an outside road (up siding) that could accommodate 16 cars. Inside there was also accommodation for cleaning staff and a booking on point for drivers. Guards booked on at the station. The driver's depot closed in 1995, at the same time as Bognor and Littlehampton depots, when all drivers and guards from these depots transferred to the newly created depot at Barnham.
The shed fell out of regular use in the late 1990s and for a time stored the preserved 4-Sub and 2-Bil units. The last use of the shed was by Southern when class 375s were stored during commissioning and service introduction.
Demolition commenced in December 2007 and the shed was gone by March 2008 leaving the track in place as sidings.

More information especially regarding the people who worked in and out of the shed available the Sussex Motive Power Depots website (opens in a new window).

A view of the depot from the country end of the up platform in the late 1960s. There 2-Bil units in the Middle Road and the Up Siding and a 4-Cor in number 1 shed road.

A commonplace evening lineup during the early 1980s. The Up Siding and Shed Roads 1 and 2 occupied with number 3 awaiting a later arrival. One of my first attempts at night photography and an object lesson in a clean lens to prevent flare! Scanned from a very tired negative with some digital cleaning. Early to mid 1980s, my notes during the period left much to be desired.

A view of the shed from Elm Grove footbridge 07/12/2007 with temporary fencing in place in preparation for demolition

The western end of the shed after vegetation clearance prior to demolition 07/12/2007

Demolition commenced with the removal of the asbestos cladding at the Eastern end of the shed. 20/01/2008

A week later and the cladding had been removed from half of the main line side of the shed. 27/01/2008.

Leaving glimpses of the doorways into staff accomodation. 27/01/02008

By the middle of February all of the cladding was gone leaving just the steel frame. 16/02/2008.

At the opposite end lifting equipment was assisting with the removal of the frame. 16/02/2008.

By the fith of March most of the roof support was gone with just part of the western end still in place. 05/03/2008.

A week later and the westernmost roof structure was still in place and work had started removing the easternmost side structure. 12/03/2008. 

Nine days later and all of the main structure has gone. 21/03/2008.

Leaving just the concrete stop blocks and walkway and the shed roads left as sidings together with the Up Siding. 21/03/2008.