While conducting an extensive search of the word "roundhouse" on the new Google search engine (65 pages in all), I ran across a photo of the ancient Midland Railway works at Derby, in Derbyshire England, on a website devoted to the history of the city. It noted the buildings have been vacant since 1970, and were in some danger of demolition from redevelopment. Reviewing some old copies of Railways Restored (the UK version of the Steam Passenger Service Directory), I note there are several rail preservation groups in the East Midlands, including the Midland Railway Centre at Ripley, which is primarily devoted to LMS and MR subjects. Most of these museums have equipment in the open, at sites that are only marginally related to its history.

Considering that there are umpty-leven Midland-related locomotives in existance (including 18 Black Five 4-6-0s!), many of which were built in those very historic buildings, it seems a no-brainer of what their future purpose should be, yet there seems no proposal or discussion for doing so. Can any knowledgable Briton comment on this?

Derby Works of Midland Railway
ryarger1@nycap.rr.com