Going Loco? Traditional Cache
Hidden : 2/28/2010
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:


 Horwich Locomotive Works 1886-2010(?)

This cache is placed very near what remains (for now) of Horwich Locomotive Works. Enjoy it while you can because soon it may be gone forever.  The cache is half way between Middlebrook Retail Park and Horwich. Park at Middlebrook or come from Moss Garden. Either way expect enormous puddles at any time of year.
A Short (well it was meant to be!) History of Horwich Loco Works

1884 The Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway sites its new locomotive works in Horiwch when its existing one in Miles Platting becomes too small. At that time Horwich has a population of 3761.

1886  The works are opened.

1889 The first engine LYR 1008 a (2-4-2 Tank Engine) leaves the works. This engine still exisits and is kept at York railway museum.

1891 Horwich now has a population of 12,850.

1899  A further 677 locomotives have now been built at the works. The first passenger express a 4-4-2 called 'Atlantic' is made.

1907 Horwich Works produces its 1000th engine.

1914-1918 The works are primarily used to make ammunition. 120 employees are lost in World War I. See Lest We Forget Horwich

1926 The rather unusual Horwich Crab is made.

1939-1945 500 Tanks are produced at the works.

1948 Nationalisation of the Railways.

1953 The first diesel engine (an 08 Shunter) leaves the works.

1957 The last ever steam locomotive is built at the works. A class 4 2-6-0. Steam engines were still overhauled at Horwich, the final one in 1964.

1962 The last ever train to be built at Horwich.

1963. From here on the works become a Wagon Repair Works.

1965 Horwich Station closes. Future generations of teenagers are given the opportunity to drive me mad by continually muggling my cache there!

1983  British Rail announces that the works are to close at the end of the year. Protest marches and spirited trade union resistance fail to alter the decision and so at 1 pm on Friday, December 23, 1983 Horwich Works closes after 97 years.
This has a devastating impact on the town. Not just due to employment but also the loss of Horwich's identitiy as a railway town.

1989 The foundry and the spring shop had still been used although the work force was reduced from 1400 to 300, in 1989 the last railway connection with was removed when it closed.

1990 Bolton Council aquires the land the works was built on. Sometime (not sure when exactly) this becomes an industrial estate with most of the buildings still in use.

2006 The works buildings are granted conservation area status.

2010 Bolton council reveals plans to build 1600 houses at the loco works site which would mean most of the works buldings would have to be demolished. Opposition Campaigns are begun.


Panorama
 
As well as the loco works you get a great view of Red Moss from here. Red moss is very lonely and its one of my favourite places anywhere. One that I always seem to enjoy alone. The hill you can see ahead of you is actually an emourmous landfill mound!

Links

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

yvggyr gerr jvgu gjb yvggyr gehaxf frr fcbvyre cvp

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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