The old steam shed used to be known colloquially as "the Lanky", a reference to its origins as the main depot of the Lancaster and Carlisle railway.

The LMS rebuilt Upperby in 1948, replacing the original shed with a large concrete roundhouse.

The LMS also constructed an enginemen's hostel on the hill adjacent to the depot (now the Hilltop Hotel).

[3] The roundhouse was demolished in 1979, but the remaining buildings continued in use as a carriage maintenance and servicing facility until closure in the early 1990s.

Part of the land formerly making up the site is now used by Network Rail for office space and storage of equipment.