was not a very big works and it never had the charisma of locomotive workshops such as Crewe, Doncaster, Swindon or Eastleigh. This is quite possibly the reason nothing has been written about it in any detail as has been the case with the larger 'main workshops'.
I have over the last two years been seriously contemplating creating a web site about the Tank and, after reading David Jackson's brilliant book
"J.G. Robinson - a lifetime's work" (strongly recommended to all railway lovers)
I decided to take the chance and 'have a go'.
It is now 42 years since the main gates at the corner of Cornwall Street and Lawton Street in Openshaw closed for good and, I thought that now is the time to make a start to put the Tank in its rightful place as one of the great rail complexes of the huge railway network that Great Britain had at that time until a certain Doctor performed surgery without anaesthetic.
To make this site successful I need your help. I appeal to everybody who has photograpghs, pictures, drawings, maps, plans and sketches etc. to please contact me with the view of including material on this website. All matter received will be acknowledged on the site, Original and personal photographs etc will be returned to the sender via air mail. I will not publish photoes etc. on the site if they are subject to copyright. If I can gather enough material I am hoping that this site will be a springboard for a 'pictorial history' of the works that I hope to publish, though this may be about four years 'down the track', then I will obtain the necessary copyright.
If you worked at the Tank or know of anybody who worked there and, can write a story of their experiences, this would be most welcome also and, may be included in pages of this site at a later date. You never know, I may get in touch with old aquaintences of mine. On it's closure in 1963 I was transferred to Crewe loco works.
If you can assist in any way I can be contacted on my emails as follows
dave_39a@hotmail.com
I hope that you enjoy this site,
as well as including pictorial material, I will slowly include locomotive data, again I need your help on this. I have never been a carriage and wagon type of person so data on types of rolling stock other than locomotives may never eventuate.
There is a site being generated dedicated to the Dukinfield Carriage and Wagon Workshops so this is probably the site to visit for carriage and wagon information, but having said that, I do have some data and pictorial material on Dukinfield. It is hoped to include a link with that sites permission in the near future.
These first two or three pages may be a little 'bland', the format will improve as I become familiar with the workings of website generating, so please bear with me.
I am open to any suggestions in the making of this site. to make it more entertaining, and readable and, mainly for you to use as a source of reference
The next Page is a little about me and my involvement with railways when I was younger..........
Please read on and welcome.
Thank you Dave Gosling
in brief
Why not 'clock in' ?
To join. go into Yahoo, click on Groups, type in Gorton Tank in the search frame, and you are on your way. a great new group where people can share information, research, and maybe meet up with old workmates from the Tank.