FFF 63. Friday Facts and Fotos
Friday 6th October 2023.
Building 34 The Plating Shop
Built in 1912, this huge building is 20 metre (E-W) x 62 metres (N-S) It houses the original 1888 cesspit which drains the water from underneath East Block. The function of this building varied over time from Steam Bending of timber for carriage bodywork in the northern section (c1928), to Electroplating (including Nickel Plating) in the southern section (1912). The Locksmiths Shop (c1928), and Car Fitting Shop (c1979) also had space there. The electroplating process involves application of a protective or decorative electroplating to metal components made at Newport Workshops. Fittings such as hinges, handles, luggage rack brackets and hundreds of other items were all electro plated.
The Plating Shop was part of the period of massive expansion of the Newport Workshops, 1902-1915. Its changing function indicates the declining role of timber bending for carriage construction at the Newport Workshops, and the long standing and growing role of electroplating. It has been used as an electroplating shop, throughout its life of more than 75 years, and today retains little evidence of those work practices. Some sinks and work benches remain, but most of the plating machinery and equipment has been removed.
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