Site Data from an Archaeological Strip Map And Sample and Watching Brief at Hendon Sidings, Port of Sunderland 2023
Archaeological Research Services Ltd, 2023. https://doi.org/10.5284/1111849. How to cite using this DOI
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- ADS Collection: 5476
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1111849
- How to cite using this DOI
Introduction
This collection comprises images, scanned site records and a vector drawing from an archaeological strip, map and sample undertaken by Archaeological Research Services Ltd at Hendon Sidings, Enterprise Zone, Sunderland on behalf of the Port of Sunderland from 1st to 31st August 2022.
Evaluation trenching in March 2021 identified the remains of the well-preserved engine house (roundhouse) and a portion of the associated turntable. Subsequently, further investigation of the roundhouse and adjacent engine sheds was required to satisfy condition 9 of the planning reference (20/02296/LP3). Therefore, the purpose of the strip, map and sample was to identify, investigate and record any archaeological remains and extant structures on the site according to the Written Scheme of Investigation prepared for this work.
The initial focus of the excavation was to locate and fully expose the engine turntable and associated roundhouse, and record these in as much detail as possible. The turntable itself was exposed, revealing the iron rail on which the track bridge would have sat, as well as a number of other iron fittings that would have related to the mechanical structures of the turntable pit. Leading away from the turntable were a series of stub tracks, 13 in total, which would have served as inspection pits for any engines or carriages led into the roundhouse engine shed. Further feeder track, which would have connected the turntable to the main train line, was exposed with one wooden sleeper still intact. Three of the stub tracks were subsequently excavated to investigate their full form and determine if any structural and sequential changes reflected the growing use of diesel engines and decline of steam power. Aside from some minor concrete repairs to the pits, all three were extremely uniform. An arched, rowlock brick floor was uncovered in each, with access steps at each end, and a culvert located in the centre. It is likely that this culvert would have run all the way around the roundhouse and connected each of the stub tracks.
Whilst there was some sequencing in the form of small refurbishments, the archaeological remains of the roundhouse are consistent with cartographic evidence of the site. Non-extant engine sheds appear in the first edition Ordnance Survey map of 1855, while the edition in 1897 maps the full extent of the turntable roundhouse and corresponds to its location. So, it is reasonable to assume that the turntable roundhouse was constructed at some stage between these dates. It is likely that it was demolished in the 1960s, following the conversion of most locomotives to diesel power.
To the west of the excavation area the remains of three well-preserved engine sheds were uncovered. These are seen to be broadly contemporary, but the excavations identified the likely order in which they were constructed, or at the very least, refurbished. Unlike the roundhouse, these engine sheds displayed a reasonably extensive sequence of reconstruction and refurbishment to accommodate the larger diesel engines in the mid-late 20th century. It is likely that many of the structures associated with the western engine sheds date to around this time, however some of the sandstone foundations and boundary walls appeared to be of a later date and seemed not to have be subjected to the same level of dieselisation as other areas of the sheds. As with the tracks in the roundhouse, sondages were excavated between the track walls in the engine sheds which exposed a similarly arched floor and access steps.
