Westhouses is a village in Derbyshire, situated close to the town of Alfreton. It is in the Bolsover district of the county. The village centre is at grid reference SK 423 579 GB; latitude/longitude N53:07:00,W1:22:08; post code area DE55 5AA. It was founded in the eigthteen seventies and named after West House Farm. Most residents were employed by the Midland Railway, and indeed they built and helped run the local school until 1932. Many roads such as Allport Terrance, Bolden Terrace and Pettifer Terrace were named after Midland Railway directors. The mainline railway through Westhouses is the Erewash Valley line from Nottingham to Chesterfield. Branchlines ran to New Hucknall colliery and New Hucknall Sidings on the Great Central Railway. A once through line ran to Tibshelf, Sutton Colliery, Silverhill, Butcherwood and Pleasley Colliery, finally connecting with the Robin Hood line at Mansfield Woodhouse. Built by the Midland Railway the engine shed included arrival and departure roads, an ash road, six internal roads and the legs road, which once had a shear legged crane positioned over it. The shed was intended to be a maintenance centre for the LMS but water supply problems prevented its expansion and eventually it closed in the 1980s. In the 1950's and 60's Jinty's 4F's, 8F's and 9F's were most common.In steam days Garratts could be seen pounding up the gradient in front of a long line of coal wagons. When diesels were introduced, classes, 08, 25, 47 and 45 were seen. Into the 1970's British Rail Classes 08, 20, 47 and latterly 56 were the main stay. Classes 25, 45, and 58 also visited the shed.
See also
External links
