Kirkdale TMD

Kirkdale TMD (code "KK") is a Traction Maintenance Depot located beside Kirkdale railway station in north Liverpool, England. It is the largest depot on the Merseyrail network, located on the Northern Line and is used primarily for stabling units, carrying out minor repair works and cleaning units both outside and in.

History

Originally known as "Bank Hall sidings", the depot area was originally a large area of sidings with more than 30 roads. In the 1970s, when the new "Link" tunnel was being built to replace Liverpool Exchange, the sidings were transformed into a modern maintenance depot. A new shed with four roads was constructed, with wells underneath the tracks so that units could be inspected; each road is long enough to house two 3-car sets coupled together. Also constructed was a new carriage wash plant so that units could be driven through and cleaned within minutes; presently this is the only active washing plant on Merseyrail, the other at Birkenhead North TMD having been destroyed by consistent vandalism. With the depot's proximity to Kirkdale station, it was renamed upon the reopening.

Recent

In 2006, a new wheel lathe was constructed at the depot in an area formerly used for storage of departmental equipment. The new lathe has ended the previous act of having train sets towed to Allerton TMD near Hunts Cross railway station by an 08 Shunter.

Allocation

The Class 507 and Class 508 electric multiple units are based at Kirkdale depot, regularly stabled in the back sidings near Bank Hall railway station. In 2006, a new small shunter was allocated to the depot to take sets into the new wheel lathe.

Previously, battery locomotives and Class 73 locos have been stored at the depot in the past for sandite duties in the winter.

External links

* [http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=Stanley+Road,+Liverpool,+L5&ie=UTF8&t=k&om=1&ll=53.437956,-2.983056&spn=0.004154,0.013475 Overhead view of Kirkdale TMD]