Jump to content
 

The Woodhead Route


Ramrig
 Share

Recommended Posts

OK. Following on from post 10. Images from August 1987.

 

.......................... As we emerge out of the tunnel at Dunford Bridge

 

attachicon.gifWoodhead001.jpg

The drains are already broken and the track bed is starting to flood after the demolition men have done there duty.

 

Close to the track circuit cabin near the tunnel mouth.

 

attachicon.gifWoodhead002.jpg

 

Approach to Dunford  Bridge station

 

attachicon.gifWoodhead014.jpg

 

The remains of the Station and Signal box

 

attachicon.gifWoodhead003.jpg

 

On a later visit (unsure of date) the area flooded and the tunnel mouth was also now fenced off.

 

attachicon.gifWoodhead013.jpg

 

attachicon.gifWoodhead012.jpg

 

After a pause at Dunford Bridge we will move along the line to Penistone...................................

Looking at those pics, even though I wasn't around then. It makes me angry that such thing could happen to once a great route in the Pennines. Connecting key Cities with industries, passengers etc. I would take an old route being rebuilt than a completely new, and I think pointless new route like what is currently proposed at this time. Just wish they left the track, so that they could come back and reinstate it to it's former glory. 

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 11 months later...
  • RMweb Premium

Green Light........................

Next stop I believe is the site of the former bridge over the A628 at Bullhouse. The bridge was soon removed once the track was lifted.

 

attachicon.gifWoodhead005.jpg

 

Next Penistone Goods Yard. I always thought the MSW was overhead not 3rd rail!!!!  :jester:

 

attachicon.gifWoodhead006.jpg

 

As we approach Penistone Station the track lifters shunter is parked in the platform. (did not record the number, anyone any idea?)

 

attachicon.gifWoodhead004.jpg

 

At the time Track and gantries were still in place at Penistone station.

 

attachicon.gifWoodhead009.jpg

 

attachicon.gifWoodhead007.jpg

 

A few weeks later the Gantries were being cut down

 

attachicon.gifWoodhead008.jpg

 

A pause at the station before moving off towards Barnsley Junction

 

attachicon.gifWoodhead010.jpg

 

Barnsley Junction. Charlies "Chariot" is parked on the site of the former sidings. I believe this area is now built upon with housing looking at google maps. The old Sub-station was also still standing at the time.

 

attachicon.gifWoodhead011.jpg

 

Next time we move onwards to Sheffield Vic and Rotherwood Sidings .............................. (it won't take 4 years this time Promise)

OK Twelve months on (nearly) Green Light, Sheffield Victoria here we come ................

 

Looking back towards Penistone from close to Rumtickle Viaduct ( I think if I remember correctly)

 

post-7289-0-04744100-1434315976.jpg

 

Thurgoland New tunnel

 

post-7289-0-40055000-1434316036.jpg

 

Both Tunnels Old and New

 

post-7289-0-98374600-1434316087.jpg

 

post-7289-0-82747000-1434316115.jpg

 

Close to Deepcar where the Stocksbridge By-Pass blocks the trackbed. The new under bridge is higher than the original track bed.

 

post-7289-0-28298600-1434316219.jpg

 

Next Batch to follow, calling at Deepcar, Wadsley Bridge and then Sheffield Victoria

  • Like 7
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

Deepcar, and track appears again for the run down to Sheffield. OHL gantries are still standing as well......

 

post-7289-0-74660600-1434391089.jpg

 

Wadsley Bridge next. Most of the station and Signal box at this time were still standing, just had a visit from the local window breakers!!

 

post-7289-0-92844600-1434391172.jpg

 

post-7289-0-77224700-1434391193.jpg

 

post-7289-0-37861800-1434391222.jpg

 

More to follow ...........

 

 

  • Like 8
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

Slowing now for Sheffield Victoria or at least whats left of it!!

 

First shot taken on top of the Wicker arch 

 

post-7289-0-40463200-1434480241.jpg

 

Next taking the avoiding line. The then recently constructed extension to the Victoria Hotel has now encroached on to the site of the former station

 

post-7289-0-11233600-1434480360.jpg

 

The area between the platforms in filled to create the new hotel car park.

 

post-7289-0-58050700-1434480414.jpg

 

A look back at the station area where electic would have been exchanged for steam or diesel to take the boat train onwards to Harwich or the Master Cutler down the old GC mainline ................................. How times have changed

 

post-7289-0-61938700-1434480599.jpg

 

A final shot taken from Bernard Road (?) looking back over the  Victoria station site and in the foreground can be seen the top of the bridge over the Midland line and the cable/pipe bridge over the link line to the GC. Sheffield skyline has changed in the last 28 or so years.

 

post-7289-0-31754200-1434480916.jpg

 

Next Stop Rotherwood Sidings before a quick trip over to Wath

 

 

 

 

  • Like 10
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold

Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like LIke Like Like LIke Like Like Like LIke Like Like Like Like Like LIke Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like

 

Mike.

(Not that I am biased of course)

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

So sad that all this has gone.

 

The enterprising heart has been ripped out of this country. The Woodhead route, built by free enterprise in the industrial revolution helped to build Britain and it's empire. The powers that be have moved our manufacturing base elsewhere, China etc, hence there is no need for it anymore.

 

I wonder how many electrified main lines have been abandoned in Germany, China etc.

 

So very sad.

 

Look at my photo site (below) for the sad, last day of passenger operations. Long time ago now.

 

Brit15

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like LIke Like Like LIke Like Like Like LIke Like Like Like Like Like LIke Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like Like

 

Mike.

(Not that I am biased of course)

 

Thanks for the subtle vote of thanks!

 

I wish they were better, it was our one and only visit.  There was three of us, the other two were railwaymen so we did some naughty things at Reddish after donning hi vis's, but I had run out of film by then. At lunchtime we went into that pub above Dunford station, had a huge fry up and a pint.  Looked at each other, the snow coming down outside, and had it all again!  I was as skinny as a rake back then, not the case now however.  Ahem.  I bet that pub is long gone, it was a pretty god forsaken place in winter.

Edited by New Haven Neil
  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

Following on from post 263:

 

We leave the remains of Sheffield Victoria and head for Rotherwood Sidings. Here freight transfered from Electric to Diesel and vice versa for onward movement. Not alot remained of the sidings in August1987.

 

post-7289-0-83115200-1434906956_thumb.jpg

 

post-7289-0-57719900-1434906977_thumb.jpg

 

post-7289-0-38543800-1434907004_thumb.jpg

 

Over to the Wath Branch next. Not many shots of the branch unfortunatley.

 

  • Like 6
Link to post
Share on other sites

The 1972 Ian Allan Electric Locos and MUs book (price 20p !) has a picture of 2 Class 76 locos next to the bridge in the last photo. A rather sad contrast, but many thanks for the pictures.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

Over to the Wath Branch

 

Silkstone Junction

 

post-7289-0-92779500-1435008554_thumb.jpg

 

Silkstone Cutting between the tunnels

 

post-7289-0-08160800-1435008620_thumb.jpg

 

What remained of Wath Depot in 1987. How many folk remember the shots of the EM!, Class 76's Bo+Bo's parked up here at weekends? compare this https://www.flickr.com/photos/7600438@N08/475470025  to the image below

 

post-7289-0-34525100-1435008749_thumb.jpg

 

The old Electric shed/Depot now being used at this time by an Aluminium recycling plant(?). All of this has now been swept away with new business's and road construction

 

post-7289-0-09300200-1435009028_thumb.jpg

 

That concludes my images of a Nostalgic look back over "The Woodhead Route" in 1987, six years after closure............... It will be 34 years next month since the last working.

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN!!!

 

  • Like 7
Link to post
Share on other sites

Seeing this thread again reminded me that I had some more photos taken a week after those in post 96(!)

Starting at Woodhead it was interesting to see the changes.

post-6748-0-67093200-1435091597.jpg

Looking from the road back towards Hadfield.

 

post-6748-0-97779300-1435091672.jpg

Looking at the station from the box steps

 

post-6748-0-03181400-1435091720.jpg

The interior of the box, now stripped bare

 

post-6748-0-57336300-1435091807.jpg

In the tunnel, looking to the station; the signals are now unlit.

 

post-6748-0-59016900-1435091865.jpg

Back out the tunnel looking east.

 

post-6748-0-91997800-1435091905.jpg

2 CEGB flat wagons on their tramway through the old tunnel.

  • Like 6
Link to post
Share on other sites

The next stop was at Dunford Bridge.

 

post-6748-0-48971300-1435092312.jpg

A rear view of the West box completely boarded up.

 

Some views of the approach to the old tunnels showing the CEGB tramway.

post-6748-0-34738900-1435092374.jpg

post-6748-0-46164600-1435092387.jpg

post-6748-0-41843300-1435092406.jpg

 

Back on the mainline

 

post-6748-0-54953600-1435092566.jpg

Looking to the tunnel.

 

post-6748-0-89946800-1435092631.jpg

In the tunnel looking east, the signals are still lit.

 

post-6748-0-30886400-1435092783.jpg

The regional boundary

 

post-6748-0-66177700-1435092860.jpg

post-6748-0-95516900-1435092918.jpg

post-6748-0-86607100-1435092928.jpg

post-6748-0-17700200-1435092980.jpg

Walking through the station

 

post-6748-0-38559300-1435093071.jpg

Looking east from behind the box....

 

post-6748-0-10020100-1435093174.jpg

....and looking west showing the CEGB line

  • Like 8
Link to post
Share on other sites

We walked on until we reached Dunford East box.

 

About halfway between the West and East boxes we saw these huts where the down loop(?) left the down main and I wondered if there had once been a signal box there.

post-6748-0-64002900-1435093488.jpg

 

Approaching the box were some derelict signals; the first on the up loop and the second had once applied to lines (by then lifted) from a marshalling yard.

post-6748-0-21109200-1435093704.jpg

post-6748-0-23166600-1435093713.jpg

 

The East box itself.

post-6748-0-97092300-1435093780.jpg

post-6748-0-41270000-1435093794.jpg

The box had been considered "abolished" earlier in the year after the block instruments were stolen according to some paperwork I later found in one of the boxes (Penistone East, I think).

 

We made our way back to the car and headed over to Penistone.

Edited by flyingsignalman
  • Like 8
Link to post
Share on other sites

Arriving at Penistone, I didn't take that many photos; I either ran out of film, time or energy!

 

post-6748-0-39906700-1435094234.jpg

post-6748-0-71239500-1435094243_thumb.jpg

post-6748-0-01878900-1435094253_thumb.jpg

From the Huddersfield platform.

 

post-6748-0-24219500-1435094263_thumb.jpg

post-6748-0-54573100-1435094298_thumb.jpg

Huddersfield Jcn box.

 

post-6748-0-69897700-1435094277_thumb.jpg

Looking back to the station from the box steps.

 

post-6748-0-28478400-1435094287_thumb.jpg

Interior view taken through the door window as the box was closed.

 

post-6748-0-14874900-1435094307_thumb.jpg

Electrification Dept coach in the sidings.

 

post-6748-0-05873700-1435094318_thumb.jpg

Nameboard.

 

With these taken, it was back in the car and the journey home!

  • Like 13
Link to post
Share on other sites

You took the nameboard???

 

What length car were you driving?

 

Regards

 

Ian

No, I only took photos.

My car was a Morris Marina so I think I'd have had to fold the nameboard in half to get it in!

I did find a signal plate on the ground (honest! ) at Dunford East which I still have.

Edited by flyingsignalman
  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

On 11th April 1982 I went with a friend to have (as it turned out) a last look at the Woodhead route.

 

On the way we called in at Georges Road Junction in Stockport as we had heard that the box, though officially usable, had had the frame stolen from it.

post-6748-0-17534500-1435175111.jpg

post-6748-0-89800800-1435175144.jpg

post-6748-0-42790900-1435175156_thumb.jpg

It had!

 

We carried on but I took no more photos until we arrived at Thurlestone Crosssing; it was boarded up but the door was open.

post-6748-0-08811000-1435175313_thumb.jpg

Looking to Penistone

 

post-6748-0-59819700-1435175324.jpg

Looking to Dunford Bridge

 

post-6748-0-02664900-1435175347_thumb.jpg

The lever frame; some of the lever plates were gone but a few remained (for a while!)

 

Next stop was Penistone Goods

post-6748-0-70992000-1435175662_thumb.jpg

Looking to Dunford Bridge

 

post-6748-0-26754400-1435175696_thumb.jpg

Looking to Penistone Station

 

post-6748-0-97632200-1435175706_thumb.jpg

A blurry view of the frame

 

post-6748-0-43899500-1435175832.jpg

post-6748-0-44463500-1435175841_thumb.jpg

Two views from the track looking to Penistone Station

 

post-6748-0-68320500-1435175853_thumb.jpg

On the up side in a compound nearer the station were this collection of stock.

 

We then made our way to Clayton West to take some more photos there.

 

Finally, I mentioned the signal plate from Dunford East.

Here it is in the company of 4 lever plates from Thurlestone Crossing (amazing how useful a one-penny piece can be!)

post-6748-0-85109000-1435176221.jpg

Edited by flyingsignalman
  • Like 7
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • RMweb Premium

I have a couple of scans of slides past on to me from the collection of the late Richard Shaw (34101 Hartland) they appear to be at Dinting Station. I would guess they were taken in the late 1960's (?) The EM1's are ex named ones and the plates have been removed for safe keeping (hmmm) 26049 is ex Jason and 26056 ex Triton.

 

Heading east coming off Dinting Viaduct into the station. Glossop branch in foreground.

 

post-7289-0-17610100-1436392631.jpg

 

Dinting Station EM1 heading towards Manchester. Nice shot of A Vauxhall Viva in the foreground.

 

post-7289-0-94725600-1436392741.jpg

  • Like 9
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...
  • RMweb Gold

For those faniliar with the famous poster advertising the Woodhead line in 1954 http://signalboxes.com/the-woodhead-route.php, this was taken this afternoon from base of the first overhead portal in the painting. The view in the poster was compressed to get in as much of the hills as possible.

Apoligies for the quality as it was a phone shot during a bike ride and taken around sunset 

post-9767-0-62273000-1482169548_thumb.jpg

  • Like 9
Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...