Nuneaton Loco Depot – Peter Lee & Continental Wanderings – Phil Dooley
RCTS – West Midlands Branch Meeting Report
Monday 20th April 2026
For our penultimate meeting of the season we had two speakers, namely Peter Lee and Phil Dooley. The first presentation was by Peter Lee, well-known ‘All Things Nuneaton’ historian, who gave us ‘The History of Nuneaton Loco Depot’ from its conception in 1847 through to its closure in 1966. It became LNWR No.4, later 2D, 2B, then 5E) and was a vital West Coast Main Line facility having received many updates and changes throughout its life.
Peter went on to describe the location of the depot within the Nuneaton area and included images of locos, which operated from there throughout its existence. From the late 1950s between 50/70 locos could be present including residents and visitors. Principally a freight depot, although express engines including Patriots, Jubilees and Class 5s could often be seen.
In its final years Coronation Class Pacific No.46235 City of Birmingham was in storage before its final move into preservation at Birmingham Science Museum in Newhall Street before its was finally marooned in the ‘Think Tank’ in Curzon Street.
After the break our second presenter Phil Dooley admitted that he was latecomer to our ‘Hobby’ but had always marvelled at the majesty of steam and the roar of diesels. Today Phil is an avid traveller on our railways both at home and abroad. Taking a different approach he described many views of stations and infrastructure, views that would be useful to prospective travellers.
fter his alternative take on our railway interest we thanked both himself and Peter Lee for their presentations.