East Block FFF 16 11th November 2022
East block actually has 22 inside tracks, but in fact they are numbered 2 to 23, because track 1 is the track between centre block and east block. It can be seen in many photos that there are eight bays with three tracks in each. Tracks 2, 3, & 4 are in bay one, 5, 6, & 7 in bay 2 etc. except for bay 8 which only has one track 23 road.
The 22 northern doorways have semi-circular arched heads 11’9″ (3.58 metres) wide x 16′ (4.88 metres) tall. A few of the original heavy wooden doors are still in place, but most have been replaced by steel doors. A couple of doors have been obstructed by minor fixtures and the tracks buried, but all could be reinstated.
The southern wall of east block had matching doorways for each track the same as the north wall. It is not known whether this was pre-planned, but very soon after the opening, the tracks were extended south towards Champion road, and before the first world war these tracks were roofed becoming what we now call the east block annex, but more of that later. The original brick part of east block measures 378 feet wide x 294 feet long. The annex is even bigger 425 feet wide x 350 feet long.
Tracks 2 – 7 right from the start in 1888 have been the paint shop. There are low and high level platforms and at least one track even has a shallow brick lined pit to enable inspection and painting underneath. This would make an ideal rolling stock restoration workshop for a future museum. You will notice on the plan we published last week that there is a solid brick wall between roads 7 & 8. This was part of the original design to form a fire barrier between the paint shop and the rest of east block which was predominantly used for wood work. That dividing wall is still there and separates the painting/finishing work from the rest of the vast area of 8 – 23 roads. In this area the bays are only separated by cast-iron columns which as well as supporting the roof, conduct rainwater to the underfloor drainage system.
Much of the area in roads 11 to 16 has been upgraded in recent years, the roof repaired, columns painted, floor cleaned, underfloor drainage repaired and new fire services and lighting installed. On the original plan the floor in bays 3 -7 are specified as wooden planks laid on concrete. Now the wood has been removed in most areas and the concrete floor is in very good condition. More about east block next week.
Pics are: Inside EB during construction.
Outside with ivy on wall
Inside paint shop
Old Wooden Doors with newer Steel Door
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