Museum of Science and Industry

This building replaced a smaller shipping shed built in 1831 partly to the west of this one. The London & North Western Railway acquired this plot of land through an agreement with Manchester Corporation in 1854. The Corporation wanted the Railway Company to extend the railway line eastwards onto Camp Field, where it planned to build a market hall. 

Manchester Corporation used compulsory purchase powers to acquire the land, which was occupied by housing. It agreed to sell on the land at cost in return for the Railway Company laying the new rail tracks. However, these plans changed because the two Campfield Market Halls were eventually built 20 years later.  

Shipping sheds, also known as transit sheds, enabled the fast transfer of goods between rail and road wagons. This was particularly important for perishable goods, such as fruit and vegetables. Road wagons could enter this shed through the large doors on Liverpool Road and alongside the yard. A central wooden platform acted as a loading wharf.