The works were opened in 1886 by the L&YR and the final steam locomotive built at Horwich, a Class 4 2-6-0, was completed in November 1957. Class 08 0-6-0 Diesel Shunters were constructed between 1953 and 1962 and after that it became a Wagon Repair Works and a facility to overhaul emus. It was run down by BR and closed in 1983, with some of the buildings being utilized in an industrial estate established on the site
Facilities;
STANDARD GAUGE; The locos stabled in the yard of the former Horwich Shed at SD63651095, and the facilities included engine pits, coal stage and water columns
1ft 6in GAUGE; A brick built 3TS dead ended shed with a slated gable style roof, located at SD64011060, was provided for the steam loco. After it was withdrawn for preservation in 1962 the building was utilized as a store and the diesel locos stabled in the yard
Locomotive Allocation & Duties;
Standard Gauge;
11304 [1948-December 1961]
11305 [1948-September 1964]
11324 [1948-October 1963]
11368 [1948-November 1963]
11394 [1948-May 1960]

Utilized for shunting throughout the works
1ft 6in Gauge;
Wren [1948-June 1961]
ZM9 [1948-1957]
ZM32 [September 1957-March 1964]

Centred on SD63701030. On the east side of the Horwich Branch

No.11394, One of the five L&YR Barton Wright 0-6-0ST locomotives allocated to Horwich Works as Departmental Locos and retaining their former LMS numbers. This view shows the engine standing at the Standard Gauge Stabling Point                               HC Casserley

The Narrow Gauge Engine Shed on June 17th, 1962, on this occasion housing the tiny diesel shunter No.ZM32                           WT Stubbs

The Stabling Area at Horwich Works on June 17th, 1962, with the rebuilt former 2TS Engine Shed on the right. The locomotives on view include two of the three Capital Stock ex-LMS Jinty 0-6-0T shunters allocated here at this time and a couple of the Departmental ex-L&YR Barton Wright 0-6-0STs                                                                                                                                         WT Stubbs Collection

ZM32 & Wren outside of the Narrow Gauge Engine Shed in March 1961. By now the steam locomotive was just reserved as the stand-by engine and was withdrawn the following June                 Ian G Holt

ZM32, withdrawn and dumped out in the wilds on the abandoned works narrow gauge system on April 10th, 1964
                                                                  Richard Day Collection

ZM9 in the yard at Horwich Works in BR days. It was built in 1930 as No.5519 Crewe and was the first diesel locomotive ever built for the LMS. It was used on the internal system at Crewe Works until it was abandoned in 1932 and stored there until 1935 when it was moved to Horwich. It was withdrawn in October 1957 and scrapped in 1958                               Richard Day Collection