Heaton lodge junction
 Heaton lodge junction map 1908
: David Webdale
Officially Heckmondwike & Heaton Lodge Junction.
Two short single bore tunnels, take the
Leeds New Line
under the L&Y Calder Valley main line,
forming a flying junction. |
 Heaton
Lodge Facing North (c1980) : David Webdale
Class 47 passenger at Heaton Lodge joining
onto the Calder Valley mainline, having passed underneath the flying junction.
More tracks & loco hauled passenger trains in those days. |
 Heaton Lodge junction (nd) : Philip Hardaker
Leaving Mirfield on the way to Huddersfield
heading towards Heaton Lodge Jct.
see
Cabride |
 Heaton Lodge junction (nd) : Philip Hardaker
Towards Heaton Lodge Jct. |
 Heaton Lodge junction (nd) : Philip Hardaker
As above. |
 Heaton Lodge junction (nd) : Philip Hardaker
The signal for Heaton Lodge Jct in the foreground.
Heaton Lodge Jct was originally two tracks some years ago,
it has now
been changed to a single line from Huddersfield, the route indicator on
the signal has not been removed. |
 Heaton Lodge junction (nd) : Philip Hardaker
Passing where the original double tracks exited at
Heaton Lodge Jct. |
Bradley station
 Opened
03-08-1847. Closed 04-03-1950.
Bradley
Station (nd) Martin Wood
Photo of Bradley station (long gone). |
 Bradley
Station (2009) Martin Wood
The site where Bradley station stood showing the
junction to Brighouse. |
 Bradley Junction (nd) : Philip Hardaker
Heading towards Huddersfield, the single track
from the right takes you down to Halifax.
see
Cabride |
 LNWR
boundary marker Bradley curve (17-09-06) : Andrew Stopford
LNWR boundary marker on the A62 at Colne Bridge.
Underneath this spot the Bradley Curve, opened originally in
1852, crosses the A62 in a short tunnel.
Note : Nigel Haigh (28-08-14)
On a recent visit to the West Yorkshire Archives,
I did find a couple of documents from the early 1880's
relating to sales of land to the two railways in the
Heaton Lodge area. To: London & North Western Railway, an area
of 1 acre, 2 rods, 8 perches to facilitate widening the
railway between Bradley Junction
Station and Heaton Lodge Junction, for £744 and 2 shillings.
As I recall there was a map attached to the details.
My family owned that land - at least that bit from the railway
bridge at Bradley Station upto the bridge over the River Colne.
The next time I get to Huddersfield and retrieve the archive
box, I'll check on the exact date. The contents list for the
box records "Papers relating to Petition of Samuel Wood Haigh
relating to the LNWR (Reddish to Leeds), House of Commons
Session 1878", but that might not be the same letter about the
expansion, because that definitely included a map of the
stretch with the land to be purchased shaded.
I also have come across a series of articles in the Huddersfield Chronicle
& West Yorkshire Advertiser dated Jan 01 1859 (and subsequent)
which describes a court case between another of my relatives,
Jonathan Haigh, suing the LNWR for the value of a pony that
had strayed through a gate onto the line at Heaton Lodge, and
been killed by a train (a luggage train, with the guards van
being derailed).
The fields on the opposite side of the track
from the farm could only be reached by a crossing protected by
gates. Although the Judge found for the Railway, the jury
found that they had not provided sufficient protection against
cattle trespassing. A jury and counsel (on both sides) all for
the cost of a horse valued at £25!
See also Midland Railway
Newtown goods section for the Viaduct over the River Colne
at the Dam Head for £130.
|
 Deighton
station
Deighton station (nd) : Philip Hardaker
Passing through Deighton station on a wet day.
see
Cabride |
Red Doles
 Red
Doles facing east (c1980) : David Webdale
The site of Red Doles junction, Fieldhouse bridge
in the background, a 47 hauled passenger on its way to Huddersfield.
Way back in the 12th century this area was used for growing high quality
grass by a method of flooding.
The "doles" were the shares of individual tenants marked out by stones &
the word red is derived from "reed". |
 Red
Doles facing West (c1980) : David Webdale
The site of Red Doles junction Taken from
Fieldhouse bridge, in the background on above photo, facing towards Huddersfield.
A picturesque 1980s
photo of a 47 hauled passenger on its way to Leeds.
The Newtown goods
track bed can be seen on the right. The bridge over Red Doles road is
just visible in top left. |
 Red
Doles (nd) : Philip Hardaker
The outer automatic signal for Huddersfield still
under Healey Mills power box.
see
Cabride |
White Stone Engine shed (Hillhouse)
/White%20Stone%20Sheds_small.jpg) Map
(1850) : Malcolm Mallison
Plans of station taken from 1850 6 inch to the mile map.
Referred to as White Stone engine sheds Sugdens Fields, later to become Hillhouse.
These sheds went through various reconstructions & enlargements up until
1907 when the sheds reached their maximum size. |
2/14A_0014_small.jpg) Hillhouse
map (1890) : Malcolm Mallison |
  Huddersfield
shed plate 25b : Andrew Sutton
Just thought I would share my photos, with other viewers,
of the shedplate for 25b Huddersfield,
which dates from 1948 to 1956 before it became 55G in 1957.
The plate is 100 percent authentic and a lovely item from Huddersfields lost
hillhouse shed. |
 Huddersfield (nd) : Philip Hardaker
Huddersfield station controlled signal on the
outskirts of Huddersfield.
see
Cabride |
 Huddersfield (nd) : Philip Hardaker
Huddersfield station controlled signal with
theatre indicator attached, this advises that the train will
be routed into platform one. |
Huddersfield station
 Opened
02-08-1847.
Huddersfield
station map (1907)
Huddersfield station was a joint venture between
the Huddersfield & Manchester Railway & Canal Company,
later taken
over by the LNWR
& the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway. |
/Huddersfield_small.jpg) Huddersfield
station map (1850) : Malcolm Mallison
Plans of station taken from 1850 6 inch to the
mile map. |
2/13A_0013_small.jpg) Huddersfield
station map (1890) : Malcolm
Mallison |
  Head
of Steam (23-02-08) : David Webdale
Left hand side, the original Lancashire &
Yorkshire booking office.
The section of line between Huddersfield & Springwood junction was built
jointly by the L&Y & the LNWR. |
  Station
Tavern (23-02-08) : David Webdale
Right hand side, the original Huddersfield &
Manchester Railway & Canal Company booking office.
Taken over by the London & North Western Railway on 9th July 1847.
This company built the Huddersfield to Heaton Lodge section. |
 Huddersfield (nd) : Philip Hardaker
Approaching platform one at Huddersfield station.
See Cabride |
 Huddersfield (nd) : Philip Hardaker
Platform end Huddersfield. |
 Huddersfield (nd) : Philip Hardaker
Standing at platform one. |
 Huddersfield
station cafe (2005) : David Webdale
These waiting rooms were built around 1880 when the station was enlarged,
with this new island platform & an overall roof.
Thankfully the buildings have been done up a bit recently, not many
wooden ones left now. |
 Huddersfield
Station (1983) : Mark Damon Heeley
East bound 47 hauled passenger stands on a moist
platform 4. |
 Huddersfield
Station (c1980) : David Webdale
East bound 47 hauled passenger rolls along side a
busy platform
4. |
 Huddersfield
Station (1983) : Mark Damon Heeley
08172 shunter in the parcel bay area. |
 Huddersfield
Station (1983) : Mark Damon Heeley
Bays at the east end of the station for stopping
trains to Leeds & Wakefield. |
 Huddersfield
Station (c1980) : David Webdale
Same as above on a soggy Sunday evening. |
 Huddersfield
Station (c1980) : David Webdale
A poorly executed photo looking back towards the
station from the end of platform 8. |
 Huddersfield
Station (c1980) : David Webdale
West bound 47 passenger awaits the whistle on
platform 1.
47s were standard issue on this stretch back in the 80s. |
 Huddersfield
Station (c1980) : David Webdale
Multiple units parked up on the centre roads. |
 Huddersfield
Station (c1980) : David Webdale
Multiple units parked up on the centre roads. |
 Huddersfield
Station (c1980) : David Webdale
Multiple unit enters from the east, maybe with the
drivers children in the cab, happy days. |
 Huddersfield
Station (c1980) : David Webdale
47 west bound loading up with mail on platform 1. |
 Huddersfield
Station (10-08-03) : David Webdale
Clagging 47150 Freightliner from Rail Day
10/08/03.
Notice widened platform 1 & no more centre roads. |
 Huddersfield
Station (c1980) : David Webdale
25 152 loitering on the sidings. |
 Huddersfield
Station (c1980) : David Webdale
Class 47 east bound passenger approaching platform 8. |
 Huddersfield
Station (c1980) : David Webdale
Old friend. |
 Huddersfield
Station Royal Scots Grey (24-02-08) : David Webdale
55022, platform 1, return journey.
|
Huddersfield water tower
 Huddersfield
water tower (15-09-13) : David Webdale
See
acorp.uk.com
Built sometime between 1885 & 1890, the recently
converted grade 1 listed water tower at the east end of the station was
opened for public viewing on a Kirklees heritage day & is now
ACORP's new
headquarters. Seen here is ACORP's General Manger Neil Buxton standing next
to some of the impressive pipe work within the building. |
 Huddersfield
water tower (15-09-13) : David Webdale
The project was primarily funded through the
European
Interreg programme.
The idea is to explore the feasibility & benefits in renovating old
buildings in an environmentally friendly way & to make them energy
efficient. |
 Huddersfield
water tower (15-09-13) : David Webdale
View of the tower from behind the station. The water cast
iron water tank has a capacity of approximately 25,000 gallons.
A white water level gauge is visible on the left of that central chimney.
The empty tank now houses solar panels.
|
 Huddersfield
water tower (15-09-13) : David Webdale
The east end of the building. |
 Huddersfield
water tower (15-09-13) : David Webdale
On the front of the building, Neil Buxton pointed out
this particular stone carving, some sort of valve valve open & shut we
guessed. |
 Huddersfield
water tower (15-09-13) : David Webdale
The right hand corner of the building with some
interesting artefacts. The lamp has been restored. |
Huddersfield Goods warehouse
 Goods
warehouse facing north (2005) : David Webdale
Taken from Huddersfield station. This massive building
has been empty for as long as I can remember.
Built in 1885 at a cost of
£100,000, five storeys high & very strong, was the largest warehouse in
the country at that date. Walls are red brick with blue brick bands.
Window jambs are blue brick, with blue brick heads & sandstone
Springer's. Wagon lift visible on the right. |
 Goods
warehouse lift facing west (2005) : David Webdale
The wagon lift taken from Huddersfield station. The
warehouse was a joint L&Y & LNWR venture.
The 30 ton lift, supported on these fancy Doric columns, hauled complete
wagons to the upper floors. |
 Goods
warehouse lift facing west (24-04-11) : David Webdale
The wagon lift taken from Huddersfield station platform
8. |
 Goods
warehouse lift facing south (24-04-11) : David Webdale
The view from Brunswick street. |
 Goods
warehouse (24-04-11) : David Webdale
Taken from New North Parade, window detail. |
 Goods
warehouse (24-04-11) : David Webdale
Taken from New North Parade, loading door
detail. |
 Goods
warehouse facing south (2005) : David Webdale
Photographed from the former goods yard. The building was
designed by the LNWR engineering department. Internally consists of an iron frame, giving the floors a
load bearing capacity of 25 cwt a square yard. Wagons were hauled from
this yard into the building, using a series of capstans.
Wagon lift
visible on the left. |
 Accumulator
facing west (2005) : David Webdale
The warehouse capstans & lifts were all powered
hydraulically.
To supply the power, this separate plant was built across the other side
of the yard.
It consisted of an engine house used to generate pressure
in a massive hydraulic accumulator
(Big cylindrical tank of water)
housed in that tower on the right. |
 Goods
warehouse entrance (28-02-08) : David Webdale
Next few shots taken on the St Georges
Project open day.
Entrance driveway from New North Parade. Original cobbles re-laid
down the sides there. Only just finished the day before. |
 Goods
warehouse entrance plaque (24-04-11) : David Webdale
Close up of the plaque to the left of the
main doorway. |
 Goods
warehouse interior (28-02-08) : David Webdale
Reception area with nice re-laid wood block
floor. Strong smell of creosote. |
 Goods
warehouse interior (28-02-08) : David Webdale
Blurb from the parties involved. |
 Goods
warehouse interior (28-02-08) : David Webdale
Staircase seems to go out onto the roof. My
missus & the nice guide lady just visible, miles away, in the
distance. |
 Goods
warehouse interior (28-02-08) : David Webdale
Due to the failing light could only manage
some top floor shots, illuminated from the skylights. Massive
floor area. |
 Goods
warehouse interior third floor (24-04-11) : David Webdale
Taken through one of the windows on New
North Parade. Same level as the main entrance. |
 Goods
warehouse interior HD1 office (28-02-08) : David Webdale
The nice guide lady showed us upstairs of
the office used by the HD1 company. Some tasty veneer & wood
panelling, unfortunately all to be ripped out soon. The office is
situated on the top part of the wagon lift. See next photo. |
 Goods
warehouse wagon lift (28-02-08) : David Webdale
HD1 offices & wagon lift. Huddersfield
Platform 8 down on the right there. |
Spring Wood Junction
Class 47 Passenger (c1980) : David
Webdale
 A
47 hauled passenger on its way to Liverpool Lime Street, emerges
from the Second Huddersfield tunnel opened on 10th October 1886
during track widening & is about to enter Gledholt
tunnel. Between 1881 & 1883 during track widening, the
recovered stone from the cutting (between the two
tunnels) was used to increase the width of the Huddersfield
viaduct. The tracks veering off to the right are the
L&Y Penistone
line. The old building top right is my old school at Spring Grove.
The footbridge I'm standing on was not completed until 1858 after
disputes with the railway company going back to 1848. The tunnels
& cutting through Springwood interrupted an ancient right of way from the
top of the town to Paddock Foot. The railway company was required
to have the footpath made passable & to put up & maintain
lights near to the rubbish & holes they had made. We used to
call this place the Monkeys Neck. Don't know why.
Note : Roger Lynch
What a lot of people do not realise is that
Huddersfield is covered with mine workings even under the Town
Centre.
The Coal Authority quoted me 1200 between M62 To Hazlehead, M62 to
Shepley. Kirkburton had a lot itself.
Springwood Tunnel must have cut through Springwood Colliery, the
only mine put down by The Ramsden Family.
|
 Springwood
junction (nd) : Philip Hardaker
In between tunnels at the west end of Huddersfield
station, the branch to the left takes you up to Clayton West.
See Cabride |
Gledholt Junction
 Gledholt (nd) : Philip Hardaker
Heading west, climbing up the bank towards firstly
Milnsbridge & then Marsden. See
Cabride |
 Gledholt
(08-08-86) : © Andrew Gallon
Emerging from the Paddock portal of Gledholt
Tunnel, Huddersfield, on August 8th 1986,
45 135 heads the
08.20 Newcastle-Llandudno. |
 Class
47 Passenger (c1980) : David Webdale
A 47 hauled passenger on its way to Liverpool Lime
Street having just left the short Gledholt tunnel. |
 Paddock
(08-08-86) : © Andrew Gallon
On August 8th 1986, 45 122 is seen at Paddock,
descending to Gledholt Tunnel, with the 10.03 Liverpool Lime
Street-Scarborough. |
 Class
47 Passenger (c1980) : David Webdale
A 47 hauled passenger approaching Gledholt tunnel &
Springwood junction.
Remnants of a yard crane or something on the
extreme left of the photo.
(see next photo's)
The whole of the goods yard area has been
redeveloped into industrial units. |
  Crane
(03-07-11) : David Webdale
Hard to get to nowadays, but remnants of the yard
crane (see above photo) surrounded by flower beds & access roads.
Photographed from the other side of the tracks somewhere behind
the 2nd carriage on the above photo. |
Paddock
 Class
47 Mail (c1980) : David Webdale
Class 47 hauled mail train heading west through
Paddock cutting, opening the throttle in here sounds ace.
Evidence of track widening along this section in 1887 on the right hand
side under Church street.
Paddock church visible in the background, the roof tiles are now missing
. |
 Class
47 passenger (c1980) : David Webdale
Class 47 hauled passenger heading west having
emerged from Paddock cutting & passed under Clough lane.
The incline is about 1 in 100 here. |
 Longwood
(18-08-86) : © Andrew Gallon
On August 18th 1986, 47 442 climbs at Longwood
whilst heading the 10.53 Scarborough-Holyhead. |
 Class
40 goods (c1980) : David Webdale
Class 40 hauled goods heading west having
emerged from Paddock cutting & passed under Clough lane.
Mixed freight I think. |
 Class
47 passenger (c1980) : David Webdale
Same view point as above, wider angle lens. |
 Class
25 mail (c1980) : David Webdale
Same view point as above, long rake of vans for a
25, seems to be managing though. |
/033%20Milnesbridge_small.jpg) Longwood & Milnsbridge
Opened 03-08-1847. Closed 05-10-1968.
Longwood & Milnsbridge station map (1890) : Malcolm Mallison
6 inch maps from the 1890 survey. |
  Class
47 passenger (c1980) : David Webdale
Same foot bridge as above facing the other way.
A
couple of 47 hauled passengers coasting towards Huddersfield past the
site of Longwood & Milnsbridge station.
The station was closed on the
7th October 1968. The tracks have been re-laid since these photo's to
smooth out the bend. |
  Peak
& 40 passengers (c1980) : David Webdale
Same as above with a Peak & a 40. |
 Longwood
(18-08-86) : © Andrew Gallon
Descending past Longwood, on August 8th 1986, a
mixed rake of Metro-Cammell DMUs forms a Scarborough-bound service. |
 Duchess
of Hamilton (c1980) : David Webdale
LMS 4-6-2 No. 46229 Duchess of Hamilton. |
 Class
47 Passenger (c1980) : David Webdale
Class 47 passenger heading west over Milnsbridge
viaduct. |
Botham Hall Siding
 Map (23-07-16) : David Webdale
Situated between Milnsbridge viaduct & Longwood
goods,
Botham Hall siding was double track & provided a railway connection to Shaws
coal merchants. |
  Chair
& sleepers (23-07-16) : David Webdale
A few yards from the connection to the live Heaton
Lodge - Staly Bridge line, we dug up a chair. Sleepers also visible. |
 Gateway (23-07-16) : David Webdale
Further on towards Royd street, through the
playing fields, a gateway led onto the tracks, some sort of crossing. |
 Trackbed
facing south (23-07-16) : David Webdale
A bit further on is a concrete platform, may
not be anything to do with the railway. |
 Trackbed
facing south (23-07-16) : David Webdale
The gateway from Royd street. |
 Royd
street crossing facing south (23-07-16) : David Webdale
Wider view from the other side of Royd street. |
 Trackbed
facing south (23-07-16) : David Webdale
Further back along the trackbed, standing next to
a small building, see next photo. |
  Trackbed (23-07-16) : David Webdale
Small building belonging to Shaws coal merchants &
the view around the back. |
 Trackbed (23-07-16) : David Webdale
Photographed through a metal gate to the left of
the building , the trackbed continues towards the coal drops.
The Furniture Direct building in the distance is visible from Dale street,
see next photo. |
 Coal
drops (23-07-16) : David Webdale
The coal drops photographed from Dale street. |
 Coal
drops facing south (23-07-16) : David Webdale
Looking back along an access road. |
Longwood Goods
 Class
47 Passenger (c1980) : David Webdale
A west bound passenger under Scar lane bridge,
making a bit of smoke for the camera.
The site of Longwood Goods was just beyond the bridge on the right. |
Class
55 Passenger (c1980) :
David Webdale
 Same place as above & hardly breaking a sweat the soon to be
withdrawn 55003 Meld drones up the Colne valley with a Liverpool bound express.
Always a surprise to see 55s on this line, they would venture off
their normal mainline duties as the HSTs took over.
Meld was one of two loco's
with white window surrounds, the other being 55012 Crepello.
Meld worked
up until Christmas 1980 & was cut up for scrap in March 1981. |
 Scar
Lane overbridge (09-08-86) : © Andrew Gallon
A mixed rake DMU, led by a Class 110 Gloucester
RCW 'Calder Valley' set, forming the 12.06 Scarborough-Manchester
Victoria,
climbs beneath Scar Lane overbridge, Milnsbridge, on August
9th 1986. |
 Scar
Lane overbridge (08-08-86) : © Andrew Gallon
August 8th 1986, and an unidentified 'Peak',
heading the 11.12 Bangor-Newcastle, descends towards Scar Lane
overbridge, Milnsbridge. |
Golcar station
Opened 01-08-1849. Closed 05-10-1968.
|
 Marsden (nd) : Philip Hardaker
Heading west up the bank towards Marsden station. See
Cabride |
 Marsden (nd) : Philip Hardaker
Approaching Marsden station, this signal (HU704)
controls the main line and loop line. |
Marsden station
Opened 01-08-1849.
 Marsden
station facing west (04-03-06) : Patrick Blow
A special trip organised to celebrate the 175th
anniversary of the opening of the Leeds Liverpool line.
A double header jobbie consisting - in front, Black five No 45407
class 5 MT.
Built in1934 for the L.M.S, weighing in at 72 tons. |
 Marsden
station facing east (04-03-06) : Patrick Blow
Behind, a 1953 class 4 MT No 76079, weighing in at
69 tons, nice. |
 Marsden (nd) : Philip Hardaker
Approaching the platform end of Marsden Station. See
Cabride |
 Marsden (nd) : Philip Hardaker
Standedge tunnel ahead, the Marsden loop runs to
the left and joins the main line before the tunnel entrance. |
 Marsden (nd) : Philip Hardaker
Standedge tunnel round the curve,being some 3
miles in length. |
 Standedge (nd) : Philip Hardaker
The approach to the Standedge. |
Standedge Tunnel
Note : (13-03-10) Mark Damon Heeley
In rail magazine number 638 there's an article about
Leeds to Manchester upgrade this includes a proposal to open the single
bore tunnels at Marsden.
This includes plans to put 4 tracks back up the Colne valley to Marsden
and through to Diggle.
One of the single bores has steel reinforcing where the brickwork bulges
in , it will be removed and repaired so trains can run again.
See Phill Davisons photo below - Central tunnel Supports (12-07-09)
They intend to run 6 semi fast services per hour , between Leeds and
Manchester. Also to put a Manchester bound through line at Dewsbury. |
 Marsden : Bernard Coomber
A westbound freight at tunnel end Marsden about to enter the 3_ mile
long tunnel. |
 Marsden : Bernard Coomber
The westbound freight again entering Standedge tunnel Marsden. |
 Class
47 Passenger (c1980) : David Webdale
Smokey class 47 passenger exits the twin bore
tunnel at Marsden heading towards Huddersfield. |
 Standedge (nd) : Philip Hardaker
Marsden loop line joins just before the tunnel
with the aqueduct flowing over the railway lines. See
Cabride |
 Standedge (nd) : Philip Hardaker
The Standedge ahead, top of the bank, the fireman
can have a breather as it is now on the level. |
 Standedge (nd) : Philip Hardaker
Standedge tunnel built in 1894 and stated to be
the fifth longest railway tunnel in Britain at just over three miles in
length. |
 Standedge (nd) : Philip Hardaker
Into the dark hole in the hillside! |
The following are extracts from Phill's Standedge
exploration. See the full set on Phills Blog -
http://blogs.myspace.com/
The South tunnel Diggle end (Nelson tunnel) constructed in 1871
(12-07-09) : Phill Davison
 A
very strange experience awaits!
Little did we know about the strong gusts of wind inside this tunnel,
the vortex type air pressure and thick mist. We weren't expecting the
strange blinking light that seemed to follow us. I've never seen the
glow of daylight from a tunnel entrance switch on and off like it did in
Standedge. Strange things were afoot-but there's more about those
shenanigans later! |
 The
South tunnel (12-07-09) : Phill Davison
Were now peering into the impending gloom from the entrance of the South
tunnel. Three miles of a very long tunnel lie ahead. There is no sign of
the other end 3 miles away! |
 Central
tunnel (12-07-09) : Phill Davison
We were stood in the closed Central tunnel at this point. An oncoming
train was under the hills. I was amazed at the air pressure effect it
created. You could feel the strong wind blow down these adits a good
minute before the train roared past in the live tunnel.
A 'very lively' experience for sure! |
 Connecting
Passage (12-07-09) : Phill Davison
This is a connecting passage between the central, and live railway
tunnel. You could see the canal tunnel below by peering through the
small gap at the side of the stairs. These passage were originally
construction adits, they were dug down to the canal during the
excavation of the rail tunnels. Construction spoil was then transported
away by boat. |
 Air
Shaft (12-07-09) : Phill Davison
This is at the base of the first open air shaft. These shafts were all
between the central and live rail tunnels. Awesome amounts of water
poured continually down these shafts. The sound of water emitting from
deeper within was really quite loud at times. Heavy duty wooden props
have been fitted at the base of this shaft. It reminded me of an old
American Creek mine. |
 Side
passage (12-07-09) : Phill Davison
A few side passages at the Marsden end were bare rock excavation.
Some construction adits had been bricked up, others had been started and
abandoned. |
 Air
Shaft (12-07-09) : Phill Davison
This is at the base of the third open air shaft. Water again pours down
this shaft like a power shower.
The bright orange is caused by iron contaminating the water. |
 Track
workers 'bothy' (12-07-09) : Phill Davison
Inside the bothy we found an old fireplace complete with chimney stack.
I've heard about these fire places in long tunnels before, but this is
the first time i've ever seen one. Here track gangs working in the
tunnel, would have been able to cook there bacon and eggs and have a
brew. |
 Central
tunnel Supports (12-07-09) : Phill Davison
The central tunnel had these supporting girders fitted near to the
Marsden end.
Extensive work had been undertaken in the South tunnel to strengthen
buckling walls also. |
 Portal
Marsden end (12-07-09) : Phill Davison
The end is in sight at last! The welcome portal of daylight at the
Marsden end awaits!
The mist in the tunnel had started to clear by this time, you can still
see traces of it in the beam of the search light. |
 1871
South tunnel (12-07-09) : Phill Davison
One last shot looking up the tunnel before we reach daylight again. This
is the 1871 South tunnel. |
South tunnel portal (12-07-09) : Phill Davison
 The
It was good to get into the fresh air again, this is the portal for the
South tunnel. It was raining hard when we got to Marsden.
I couldn't manage anymore external shots without getting rain on the
lens. We had a sit down in the tunnel and took a well earned rest.
Then
we set off again for the very long 3 mile walk back through the tunnel.
Make sure to see the full
set on Phills Blog -
http://blogs.myspace.com/
We experienced some strange things
down here, one phenomena we couldn't explain, was the strange flickering
light we saw about 2 miles into the tunnel. At first we thought it was
daylight at the far end. That was until it started to sway from side to
side. We watched it for a bit before we decided it was coming towards
us. It looked like someone was heading our way with a torch. We were a
bit apprehensive about this. But we decided there were four of us, and
one of 'it' |
Note : Cyril Towell (Guard)
The tunnel was a smoke filled experience with a freight train ,
in the guards van especially if the leading door was ill fitting.
Another use for the daily paper packing the door edges if you had one.
If memory right, took about 4 or 5 minutes to pass through with a
freight train, 2 or 3 with a passenger train in round figures.
A
passenger guard could read his newspaper, duties permitting of course.
A
passenger guard had train lighting, electric, whereas the freight guard
only had his oil filled hand lamp.
|
 Standedge (nd) : Philip Hardaker
A welcome sight the tunnel entrance, not the rain! See
Cabride |
 Standedge (nd) : Philip Hardaker
Welcome to Lancashire, exiting the Standedge,
after being in the pitch black for three miles it is good to get back
into the light once again. |
 Diggle (nd) : Philip Hardaker
Diggle Jct. signal box in sight. |
 Diggle (nd) : Philip Hardaker
The Diggle Jct. loop. |
 Diggle (nd) : Philip Hardaker
Passing Diggle Jct. signal box. |
 Greenfield (nd) : Philip Hardaker
Down the bank heading towards Greenfield. |
Greenfield Station
 Greenfield
Station (nd) : Philip Hardaker
Passing through Greenfield Station. |
Mosley station
 Mosley
station (nd) : Philip Hardaker
Mosley station ahead. |
 Stalybridge
Tunnel (nd) : Philip Hardaker
Stalybridge Tunnel |
Stalybridge station
 Stalybridge
station (nd) : Philip Hardaker
A dark day in Stalybridge. |
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