RAF Handforth (61MU). Pictures and track diagrams?

[Dubaimike]

In the 1970s I lived near the site of RAF Handforth, (61 maintenance unit) in Cheshire, and visited frequently. Although completely abandoned by then, there were many remains of a large internal railway system, including much track and a two road loco shed. The site had been served by a connection to the Manchester-Crewe line between Cheadle Hulme and Handforth stations.

 

I'd really like to know more about this railway system. Can anyone point me to  any references such as a track diagram and/or  photographs of the railway at work?

 

Many thanks in advance.

 

Mike 

Edited July 24, 2021 by Dubaimike
punctuation

[Nick Holliday]

old-maps website has a 1970's OS map showing the out of use system.  Part of it as this snapshot from their website.

[Dubaimike]

That's great Nick, much appreciated.

 

I'll have a look at the website, but I can immediately see the loco shed I referred to!

 

Thanks

 

Mike

 

[PenrithBeacon]

Unfortunately the NLS maps for the area don't include those of the era. A search for RAF Handforth 61 MU bought up a lot of other info.

[woodenhead]

2 minutes ago, PenrithBeacon said:

Unfortunately the NLS maps for the area don't include those of the era. A search for RAF Handforth 61 MU bought up a lot of other info.

I've on there too haha

 

From the name of one of the roads mentioned on one site, Dairy House Lane, I've got the site as being near to the Total Fitness gym, but it was a dispersed site so it was scattered about.

[Dubaimike]

Thanks Gents. I've done the usual searches but I haven't come up with any pictures of the railway in use. It was indeed a dispersed site but the railway served (I think) only the largest of the separate parts. The junction with the LMS/BR was on the east side of the line, south of the Stanley Road overbridge.

 

Edited July 24, 2021 by Dubaimike
missing word

[airnimal]

There some photographs of this facility in Eddie Johnson's book on Manchester to Crewe part two.

There are a couple of pages of text but without a track plan. 

This is a fantastic book on this line but might be an expensive way for the small amount on this subject.  Perhaps you could order it from your local library. 

 

Sorry didn't notice your location. Might struggle with the local Library .

Edited July 24, 2021 by airnimal

[PenrithBeacon]

It might be worth emailing the RAF Museum to see what they have. 

[Dubaimike]

Thanks Airnimal.  No, I don't think the local library has that one. However I lived around that line until I was 18, so buying the book is tempting.

 

[Jim76]

I understand the shed later went to Dinting Railway Centre and later the ELR where it was dismantled and remains unused in pieces.

[379]

Hello Mike

 

I realise this is an old thread, however have you seen the photo's in this Facebook photo album?

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.795058630589117.1073741972.447693891992261&type=3

 

 Most of them are at the main site (part of which still exists, albeit due to be redeveloped as a Garden Village).

[379]

On 08/05/2022 at 07:39, Jim76 said:

I understand the shed later went to Dinting Railway Centre and later the ELR where it was dismantled and remains unused in pieces.

That's correct, although it was just one of the many buildings on the various sites that made up RAF Handforth. Dinting got their shed from the base around 1969/70, however there were still many large building (including large nissen hut shaped sheds) up until the remaining derelict buildings on the main site were demolished circa 1980.

[KeithMacdonald]

On another site:

 

Quote

Dramatic changes came to the railway at Handforth with the advent of the Second World War. The Air Ministry and the War Department established large camp sites around Handforth, part of which were rail served. Three quarters of a mile north of Handforth station in an area known as Spath Lane, a large exchange siding became established. It consisted of a reception siding, together with three other sidings; this could accommodate one hundred and twenty wagons. Because of this, the complete section of Handforth had to be re-signalled. New signal box commissioned opposite the sidings to oversee traffic entering and leaving. The box at Handforth station was switched out of service, the additional siding that had been laid five years previously became redundant. As now all coal wagons destined for Handforth station siding were left at the Air Ministry`s sidings at Spath Lane.

 

https://www.airfieldresearchgroup.org.uk/forum/airfield-discussion/3334-air-ministry-railway-sidings

[KeithMacdonald]

Also visible on RailMapOnline.com

 

[KeithMacdonald]

Much to my surprise the branch into RAF Handforth actually does appear on the OS map

https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=16.8&lat=53.35203&lon=-2.20102&layers=258&b=ESRIWorld&o=100

Maybe because it wasn't an active airfield and so didn't get the usual censorship?