English: York (North) Locomotive Depot, scene in Yard.
In the Good Old Days the Railway Enthusiast knew no better spot in the whole country than Leeman Road, beside which countless big LNER locomotives were spread along the extensive yard that stretched westwards from the four roundhouses of this great Depot. It was the principal Depot (coded 50A by BR) of the ex-North Eastern Railway at its York Headquarters, York being a major junction with other lines and situated about half-way along the East Coast Main Line between London and Edinburgh. York North Depot was by far the largest of several in the city and catered for the main-line passenger and freight workings originating or passing through York and for much of the local and shunting work. In BR(NER) days York had an allocation of 169 locomotives, comprising (1954):- 13 4-6-2s, 30 2-6-2s, 61 4-6-0s, 9 4-4-0s, 10 2-8-0s (ex-War Department), 16 0-6-0s and 30 0-6-0Ts (21 LNE, 9 WD); most were maintained at the North Shed, but some 0-6-0Ts were kept at a small Shed south of the Station. The total allocation would have been much the same in 1961, but with some BR Standard steam locomotives in place of the older ex-NE types. The Depot remained open for steam until 25/6/67. After that part of it accommodated Diesel locomotives, until 1/82. Meanwhile two of the roundhouses, already rebuilt after heavy war damage, were converted into the Main Hall of the new National Railway Museum, opened in 9/75. In this view, prominent are V2 2-6-2 No. 60858, A1 4-6-2 No. 60129 'Guy Mannering' and K1 2-6-0 No. 62005.