Data from a Building Survey at the Railway Turntable at Old Oak Common Depot, Hammersmith and Fulham, 2019 (HS2 Phase One)
High Speed Two Ltd., MOLA Headland Infrastructure, Costain Skanska Joint Venture, MOLA Northampton, Archaeology Wales, 2023. https://doi.org/10.5284/1129146. How to cite using this DOI
- HS2 Phase One: London to West Midlands Historic Environment Digital Archive
- Curated Collection: A Digital Archive of Britain's Railway History
Data copyright © High Speed Two Ltd. unless otherwise stated
This work is licensed under a The Open Government Licence (OGL).
Primary contact
High Speed Two Ltd.
2 Snowhill
Queensway
Birmingham
B4 6GA
United Kingdom
Tel: 08081 434 434
Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 4380
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1129146
- How to cite using this DOI
Introduction
This collection comprises images, reports, spreadsheets, and plans from a historic structure recording of a Railway Turntable at Old Oak Common Depot, Hammersmith and Fulham carried out by MOLA Headland Archaeology and Costain Skanska during 2019 and 2020.
Project Summary
MOLA Headland Infrastructure and Costain Skanska Joint Venture have undertaken a historic building recording project for the Railway Turntables at Old Oak Common Rail Depot. In accordance with the Project Plan the building recording comprised a Level 1 survey, as defined in Understanding Historic Buildings: A guide to good recording practice (HE, 2016). This provides a sufficient level of recording to both assess the character and use, and any changes thereof, of the structure over its lifetime, including a photographic record of the turntables and their immediate setting. It also enables the identification of any significant architecturally non-standardised features.
Non-intrusive investigations were carried out including the investigation and recording of the fabric of the turntable and whatever structural elements remained. The survey consisted of a photographic record of the turntable, including detailed and general shots of the fabric of the structure.
Costain Skanska undertook a historic structure recording of remnants of a turntable found during groundworks within the former Old Oak Common Sidings at the Hitachi Depot (centred on NGR: TQ 21792 82119; Figure 1). It was located to the east of Old Oak Common Lane, south of the Old Oak Common Industrial Estate, and north of the former Wormwood commons, now referred to as Wormwood Scrubs in the Acton district of London.
The structure comprised an early 20th century turntable which precise location was previously unknown after being built over in the 1920’s or 1930’s. The recording was undertaken prior to the full demolition of the structure in the course of the HS2 scheme.
The research revealed that the structure was not part of the original Brunel Railway design but was built in the course of the redevelopment of the site in 1905. The works were undertaken by William Walkerdine Limited between 1905 and 1906, based on a design by G.J. Churchward.
There were no surviving surface features of the turntable noted, due to its earlier removal in the first half of the 20th century and subsequent building over with later train tracks in the 20th century. No mechanical parts or significant metal fixtures remained. The turntable was predominantly a red brick structure with some concrete features on a cast concrete base. Only the external perimeter and central core had survived. The structure was further disturbed by the installation of a large drain, which cut in an east to west alignment through the southern section of the remnants of the structure. No structural features were retained following the demolition.
Re-Use Value Statement
This archive provides a comprehensive descriptive, analytical and visual record of the Railway Turntables at the Old Oak common rail depot. The archive can provide information for any future research regarding the asset as part of the enabling works of HS2.
This archive can be used independently and/or in in conjunction with the rest of HS2 datasets in order to inform the wider historic building records generated through this project. This can also function as a guide to digital archiving for future infrastructure projects benefiting both the commercial sector and the research community.
The remains of the turntable gave an insight into the early 20th century development of Old Oak Commons. Subsequent redevelopment however greatly impacted upon the site. No further investigation is required for the archaeological feature of the turntable.
