Construction of Barrow Hill Engine Shed commenced in July 1869 and it was completed in November 1870. The Midland Railway Company contracted I.E. Hall to build the depot. The final cost being £16,445 4s 9d. It comprises 24 roads of which the longest is 80 feet and the shortest 60 feet. Following the opening in 1870 it was in continuous use until it finally closed its doors in 1991 after a working life of 121 years.

In 1989 Barrow Hill Engine Shed Society had been formed with the intention of saving from demolition the Roundhouse on the site of the soon to be closed British Rail engine shed. Behind the scenes this preservation attempt was going on but no visible signs to the passer-by were evident. In fact quite the opposite since following closure in 1991 the site was by now suffering heavily as a result of vandalism and neglect. In fact it was starting to appear ready for demolition.

The Roundhouse and its associated buildings were given Grade 2 Listed Status by the Department of the Environment during February 1991. This was the first step of a process which was to take six years. The second step was to purchase the building from the British Rail Property Board. This was to take over three years during which time the Roundhouse and associated buildings were heavily vandalised. Chesterfield Borough Council became the new owners on December 20th 1996 of the shed and nearby yard.

The third step was to raise funds to refurbish the Roundhouse. This also took several years but has resulted in funding being provided by Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire County Council, The Transport Trust, North Derbyshire Training and Enterprise Council, European Regional Development Fund and the Government SRB Fund. Since that time, the building has had its roof replaced. There is however one part of the original 1870 roof still in place. Since this job was completed all major services in the building have been restored.

Following many months of work by dedicated volunteers the site was slowly cleared of vegetation. Stolen track was replaced and the entire site was made secure. A major cleanup commenced. Remarkably the 24 roads around the turntable were still in situ and intact. Inside the Roundhouse can be seen what is believed to be the only remaining set of timber locomotive lifting sheer legs. This lifting arrangement was deemed illegal in 1964 when the construction (lifting regulations) Act was made law. These will be returned to working order and retained as a demonstration feature.

The site has also seen some development since being 'preserved', including the construction of the 'Roundhouse Halt'.
 

Note - Locos that show as resident may be based here but loaned to other sites, click on 'Loco' to view the most recent location

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