So much beauty that once was now almost forgotten about ! I never have been to England ! I have been to Winnepeg , Canada and the Mexico across the border from Yuma , Arizona until 2008 when I took a cruise to the west side of Mexico . I live in south central Kansas . I was raised about 70 miles from where I now live . I have been to California , Oregon , Washington , Idaho , Wyoming , Colorado , Arizona , New Mexico , Texas , Oklahoma , Nebraska , South Dakota , North Dakota , Iowa , Missouri , Arkansas , Wisconsin , Illinois , Indiana , Ohio , Kentucky , West Virginia driving wise ! I have flown into Pennsylvania and Georgia ! Of course Kansas since I live there ! Lol ! I really enjoy your videos which allows me to travel out of the United States of America ! Thank you so much time and effect that you put into these videos !
I'm often surprised, as a lifelong Mancunian, how much the old, unreconstructed parts of our city centre remind me of similar old parts of New York city.
Hi Martin. a fleam is also known as a Leat which is an artificial watercourse or aqueduct dug into the ground, especially one supplying water to a watermill or its mill pond
Wow that bridge moved me too ! I love looking and learning about the history of places around the world ! Thank you for such and amazing video capturing this history before it is gone forever !
The line through Red Bank shut in the early 90's when a coal train derailed outside of Manchester Victoria East signal box, knackering the track work of the junction. The line had already been deemed surplus to requirements, but the derailment hastened it's demise. Strange to think I've worked trains along that route, I'm a Guard, and at 47 years of age, don't consider myself to be all that old. Amazing how even in such an urban setting, nature quickly reclaims things. Keep up the great work. Good to see someone in this day and age, so positively passionate about a subject.
I used to walk down the steps at the side of Wilcox drums across Danzic st and up the 77 steps across the bridge and cut through barneys on my way to work 1969/70 , in the winter there used to be a group of fairground people camping on there, it wasn’t so overgrown then and I always wondered what it looked like now ,one of the caravans was a real wooden gypsy caravan small but really well equipped, a lovely woman lived in it we used to stop and have a natter with her sometimes, she left her goldfish out overnight once and the bowl froze solid poor goldfish was a gonner , she also had a tiny black pony that you couldn’t see in the dark that would chase us across barneys till we got to the steps the vicious little sod lol, anyway thanks for another fantastic video Martin you make time travel to a reality. your becoming real cult viewing I always share your videos onto Facebook everyone loves them, I know someone (another of your avid viewers)who after watching your video of Angel meadow when they were doing the archaeological dig she went non a walk there even though it had already been built over she could still see it all in her minds eye she loved it,
Amazing how nature has reclaimed what was a very polluted industrial space.BTW, I'm a rail geek..So, there is always time to rail fan.Bravo on another great tour.
@@MartinZero , no problem martin, im from Newport in south wales. We have an industrial past here but so much has been lost through housing development etc. Do you know of the site - www.britainfromabove.org They have 1000's of arial photographs between 1920's - 60's. All very high quality images. If not please check it out mate its a real gem👍
I see why you love the history of this whole area. There is so much. And the old photos are great. Also your tidbits of music Here & there are perfect. Thank you
As a Australian viewer, I doubt I will ever visit the city of Manchester, but your love, knowledge and passion for the city is evident. If I ever venture to the UK, it will be on my list.
That 1793 map is amazing. You can see what look like fields for farming. Could never imagine that in Manchester. Love old maps as they seem a lot more artistic than modern ones.
Righto, Watched this twice already, And will hopefuly watch a third time after tea tonight. This has to be one of the best most informative and revealing vids yet. What a treat. Every other minute theres a mind blowing fact or insight. And so beautifuly put together. Even had A Certain Ratio in there too, PERFECTION. i'll watch this one again and again, HOPEFULY with no interuptions. 😒 Thankyou Martin and the team.
Love your videos Martin. I'm not from Manchester but from Huddersfield your Pennine neighbours, love the old things you find and really shows the history of Manchester and the surrounding areas including other towns and cities. Keep up the good work.
Another bit of land I've been so curious about.... The land under the Impossible Bridge!! Can't believe that old railway hut was there and for you splice the footage when it was open and live with activity was fantastic. You've brought it all alive! Thanks!
Stumbled onto your Williamson’s tunnels videos accidentally and had to watch them as an old scouse workmate randomly gave a presentation on them. Then these two on the Irk valley popped up which were a must as I now park just off red bank, walk across the roger st bridge and through angel gardens to the angel square building seen throughout. Great to see the history of the area
Again another wonderful video with amazing well thought of and well put together commentary. Id say the best twenty one minute ive had all day.thanks Martin
Again great story of this great city of Manchester cheers Martin. Exchange station also had a few crashes over the bridge on the road leading to bury 2 in fact last 1 about 1950s. Porters at old Victoria stun always talked about this at the old red star parcels 1971 ish.john Rooney
I’m loving this two parter!! The best yet. 😁 And shots of some “whistlers” at the end! Ace!! Takes me back to 1983, train spotting on that very long platform at Victoria! Thanks for making these, Martin, very interesting. 👍
Really timely video - I moved to Manchester 2 weeks ago and get the tram in from Heaton Park for work. I've been wondering about that huge green area between Queens Road and the city, and what used to be there. Now I know!
Hiya! I use that tram line too- hope you've settled in to our city now. Living in Heaton Park area you are in Prestwich which also has an interesting history if you want to look into it.
Hello again! Even though I don't live anywhere near Manchester, I'm finding your videos utterly compelling and fascinating. It's always frustrating when 'What was' is swept away, and replaced with an often unedifying 'What is'. Your videos are very well made, and you obviously have a passion for your subject, and want to pass it on. Your knowledge of the area, and it's quirky little corners, where most people don't look, but something utterly fascinating lurks (like the remains of Bridge Mill, for example), make your videos most definitely 'binge watch' material. I also like your enthusiasm for 1980's electronic bands, and I think that yours is the first channel I've watched, that has mentioned A Certain Ratio, who made some superb records, but are sadly unknown to the majority of people. 'All Night Party', 'Knife Slits Water (7" version)', 'Flight', still give me great pleasure. One more thing: the archive picture you show at about 14:00, looks like an area of the city used in a scene from the 1960 Hammer Films thriller 'Hell Is A City'. Do you know if it is? Cheers.
@@MartinZero modest to the End! You're a Star and You are creating history for the masses. Top Man !!! As mentioned so many times on here, you deserve some proper recognition for time, effort and the dogged determination that drives you. Cheers Roj
I remember Red Bank sidings up to Miles platting where we used to go rabbiting with ferrets & air rifles. Good days aye. Thank you for the memories bro. :)
Great video our kid. I lived in Collyhurst until I was 11 and went to Saint Malachys school, in the late 50s and early 60s me and my mates would go trainspotting on Red Bank in our school dinner hour or when we had light nights.We simply walked onto the tracks from Collyhurst Rd (next to where H Marcel Guest paints are now), no one ever stopped us and we'd go along the tracks to those steps - Ive never seen the Lowry sketch before, many thanks.We called them the 77 steps and knew we had to head back to school when we reached them.In the holidays we'd come down the steps and walk to Viccy station.I remember sitting on that long platform waiting for "Semis" ,"Jubs" , Brits" or "Pats" and older spotters told us that there would be no more steam engines soon and that we should start collecting deisels/electric train numbers - bloody boring!.The hill opposite the 77 steps was a no go area years later as it was used to store old chemical/paint drums and was probably toxic but in 1959 - 1963 we climbed all over them! Barneys tip was the home of our school football pitch, an awful cinder one - I only ever remember us playing St Pats ( the posh gits always had a full matching kit and we just had a white vest or "liberty bodice" as my Gran called them, I played in goal once and my gran made me wear a balaclava. The tip side of the track also had a signal box and that was known as a place where you never went in , the guy in there had some quite dodgy habits when little lads were around!
Hello Anne, great to chat again. Yes lovely to meet you. Glad you saw the footage I got from the Cathedral it was really stunning. Hopefully pop in again sometime and see you there 😀
Another great video. I’m living in Cork Ireland and missing Manchester very much. Missing all the buildings, bridges canals and history. Anyway cheers mate for bringing Manchester back to life.
I love your videos on trains and Manchester. Though I live south of Albany, New York State,my uncle is from UK plus I have great affection for Manchester. Let's just say the David Platt story on Corrie is very personal,and Survivors Manchester has become best bunch of mates. I am flying over in 19 to meet them and just explore,would be fun to see these bridges with someone so into them. Thank you. Drew
Hello, thanks very much for getting in touch. Love that fact that you watch these videos in Albany amazing. Really pleased you relate to them. I often wonder if my videos translate to people outside of Manchester. If you come over next year give us a shout I will show you the bridge, provided its not apartments 😆
Great video Martin - I’ve passed that area a few times over the years and thought one day I should investigate. I still might! The old rail photos before and after were incredible and the LS Lowry link was brilliant. Keep them coming... 👍👍👍
I just love this industrial history, I have Birmingham roots, so similar to Manchester, thank you for all your hard work, it's fascinating and an Excellent watch.
So that's why it was called "red bank" carriage sidings.. absolutely astonishing to think there used to be such a vast siding once stood there. Great touching video into some of Manchesters railway history.
Thank-you for sharing another excellent video, and for bringing delight to those interested in industrial history. You really capture the mood. Spot on fella👌
I spend hours watching Martin’s wonderful films and wish they were on DVD for Christmas gifts. When I was 5 years old I remember my grandpa taking me to look at the Itk Valley Rsil Crash.
Very good history of sequent occupance in Manchester. Makes you realise just how well off we are today, even with covid. Reminds me of the horrors described by Charles Dickens , only on our own back door. In those days most of population basically starving to death and died at 45 on average. If we dont look after our planet it could all return in no time, only probably a lot worse as our population is so much larger now. Its good people like you just give us a reality check.
Excellent vid again, next time we are in Manchester, going to view that bridge, was only in the Cathedral a couple of months ago ! Keep up the good work, real eyeopeners, thanks.
Another fantastic video!!! I didn't realise that was a bridge and how old it was....Mind blown!!! To see it now completely engulfed in the city centre it's hard to imagine that very bridge stood surrounded by fields. Also, how cool you found the small hut in the old footage! Amazing!
Revisiting these Irk videos as it's now my home. They introduced me to the channel!! There's development going on under the bridge where the trailway used to be. The old fence running up to the Lowry Bridge is gone. They're chopping down trees and fencing it off. Is HS2 going to be where those railway lines were? That was my first thought of what the activity could be
Martin again.... another fantastic video, very informative very eye opening aswell. Such a drastic difference that area where the railway Sidings were. The old footage made them look so big, yet when you were down there it seemed so small. It's such a drastic change from what it was to what it is now. Enjoyed every minute of this keep them coming buddy 👊
Thanks martin for your great video, I remember going around the Collyhurst avoiding line past red bank in 97 before it closed. When I was a teenager I took a short cut from Moston to newton heath and ended up in lightbowne carriage sidings, all those old trains parked up..Lovely memories. .You should post some of these photos or video to[ Rail forums ] us guys love these old railways before and now.
That was another fabulous video Martin, your videos are always so interesting with all the history. Its nice to see you are up to thirty eight thousand subscribers very well deserved.
Hi Martin. I was a young beat policeman working from Willert St, Collyhurst in 1965. Travis Isle was the local name of a tenement block, still in use on Collyhurst Rd, near Dalton St. The official name of the tenement may have been Irk Dwellings (?), but it was always known locally to us as Travis Isle. I can pinpoint it on a map if you want? Next to it, on the city side, was a junior school. Both were reached by a bridge across The Irk and I used to do the school crossing point morning, lunchtime and afternoons. Roger St was still open to traffic and a busy junction with Collyhurst Rd. There was a bone renderers on the corner and a large Post Office garage on the right when walking towards The City. A big gas works stood on Gould St and the CWS tobacco factory stood nearby, above Angel Meadow. On still nights the mix of smells can be imagined. Barneys was known as Barneys Croft and if you google it you will find a boyhood account of a Cheetham lad who played there as a pre-war boy. A police Superintendent in my time was Arthur Rose who, as an Inspector, had dealt with and reported on the Irk Valley train crash for the coroner. Mays Pawnshop was still standing on Rochdale Road a few years ago, but not sure now? Very enjoyable videos, thanks. - David G PS - just upstream from Travis Isle is a large weir across The Irk and was to maintain a constant water level, so that water could be taken off into a leat (water channel) to drive the wheel of Travis Mill, thus creating "Travis Isle". After passing through the wheel, the water was returned downstream and back into The Irk. PPS - Re changes to street names. c 1969 Manchester City Council checked all duplicated street names in the city and changed any duplicates to avoid confusion, maybe in advance of the introduction of postcodes? Thus Robert St (Ardwick and site of central mortuary) became Rachel St. South St (off Albert Sq and site of Police HQ) became Southmill St. That may have been when Aspin Lane got it's present name?
Brilliant. In looking at Pics of Collyhurst road I saw the picture of Irk dwellings, to be honest it looked a grim place. Good information about the street names I never knew that. I wonder if the weir was the one I showed in the video. Great information thanks for commenting 👍
Yep. The weir is shown on the 1793 map, just downstream of the entrance to the leat for Travis Mill. If you follow the river north (on Google Earth) there are several similar weirs probably all created to give a constant head of water for an adjacent water wheel mill.
Martin - Thank you so much for this amazing and revelationary walk-about History. I love the way you delve so deeply into the subject matter - and even bring it back to life with video footage from the time. Manchester Cathedral - a building I know nothing about yet I was a Cathedral Chorister - Peterborough - Now there's some Railway History at Peterborough! My father, when he was Goods and Passenger Manager at Peterborough was instrumental in the straightening of the E.C.M.L as it went through the Station there, thus making the whole railway faster! Historically, our family was responsible for the building of the M&GN Railway in Norfolk - now . . . ? All gone. A pity the redstone is crumbling . . . what will happen to the Cathedral I wonder? Please may we have more of your own wonderful insight into Living History, Martin? Many thanks.
You have so much history right in front of you and how lucky you are. There is of course history where I live in the States but certainly no 597 year old bridges. As always great video Martin.
I've only just discovered your videos recently but when I saw this I wondered how far upstream you had investigated. I'm a Roytonian (Royton. North-east of Manchester. About 13km of Manchester city-centre). As a kid I used to muck about in and around rivers and streams and ponds, catching tadpoles and frogs, in this area. It wasn't until recently that I enquired about the source of the River Irk via one of the Royton websites. It was there that I was informed that The Irk has its origins on farmland where I used to play (daring each other to touch the electric cattle fences, en-route) when I was a kid. The beginnings of the Irk are mere trickles in fields just below The Puckersley pub (itself, a nice homely pub with great food) in Royton. Oldham Edge is another place of interest. Apparently there was some sort of military presence in the area. Indeed, Oldham Edge used to have tank manoeuvres there and the fact that one of the streets in that area (Rifle Street) seems to back up the military thing. Oddly, the "water board" or whatever name they go under these days, carried out a random water quality test in my parents home, in Royton recently. Apparently/allegedly, the water supply for Royton comes from Dovestones Reservoir (where you was introduced to a "pillbox"). Eventually it arrives at an underground reservoir under Oldham Edge. That is according to the tap-water analyst that took samples in my parents home in Royton. True? I don't really know.
Incidentally Martin, which part of Manchester are you from (no need for specifics. That's understandable). Your stuff grooves my truffles. I'm into the same sort of stuff. I got involved in a project that was carried out at Jubilee Colliery, between Shaw and Newhey, approximately 7-8 years ago. We unearthed coke ovens and rail tracks but due to H&S we had to fill stuff in when we had finished so that it was safe and met their approval. It seemed to defeat the whole project. Sad!
Happened to come across one of your videos. Have now watched 5 in a row and subbed. You make great videos and are lucky to live in a part of the world with so much history. Don’t see any of that in Nova Scotia Canada haha.
Sorry i know i mentioned it in your 1st vid. But the sandstone is much older. Depending where you are they are 250 M+ years old. They pre-date the dinosaurs and reflect the desert like environment the UK experienced during these times. Another great vid mate. Keep it up.
I bet the soil under that nice small wood at the former isle mill is very heavy polluted with cadmium, mercury, lead, maybe arsenic, toluene, asbestos etc. etc.. Just easier (and much, much cheaper) to let nature take it back then cleaning it and build houses ;-) And glad to hear you're also a railway enthusiastic. Same here, great lover of old yards, freight trains, old industrial branches etc.. Loved the old pictures of the yard at the end of your video.
Wow it’s just amazing how nature reclaims in such a short time. You never think there was such a massive rail yard once so active and Busy. I live in New Zealand Martin and we have no structures any where as old as that bridge . In fact the first humans only placed foot here 200 years before that bridge was built. The Maori dint build anything out of stone so nothing remains. I would love to just Touch that bridge knowing how old it is truly fascinating Martin once again thank you.
Great follow up Martin,every video you make seems to surpass your previous ones. I worked on that building above Hanging Ditch in the late sixties, it used to be a Greek restaurant, We were converting it for use as an opticians, we decided to have a mooch in the cellars and discovered an old drinking and gambling den complete with various gambling tables and a makeshift bar. I dismantled the bar counter and and it made an excellent work top in my kitchen.
Yes that is the place but the worktop is long gone. I don't remember the arches being visible in those days but I could be wrong. What I do recall is a small garden with seating that was the meeting place for the local meths drinkers
Hi Martin Isn’t nature a wonderful and powerful thing. What was once a busy railway siding and industrious place has been reclaimed quietly by Mother Nature. Perhaps if we left other parts of the world alone she would simply repair and reclaim restoring the world to a beautiful place for us to live in. Thank you for the videos they are riveting viewing.
Once again another top Notch video thanks Martin on the motorway just before you pull off at Stockport you can see good example of the red sandstone where the motorway has been cut through the red sandstone also worth a visit World War II air raid shelters in Stockport Town Centre they cut through the red sandstone as it was easier to tunnel through the red sandstone making a network of air raid tunnels in the town centre for the public part of it is a museum now worth a visit thanks again and look forward eagerly to your next video Martin 👍
Yes. High red sandstone cliff where a route has been cut for the M60, just below the wonderful Stockport railway viaduct. Just google 'Stockport M60 sandstone" in Google Images
Another great video, Martin. Makes me want to do some similar work in my home town of Wigan, or Bolton where I live now. I love your Granada TV T-shirt, too.
Please do Paul. The history of the North West needs saving and valuing for future generations. Kids who aren't taught about their home cities are missing out on something wonderful. When I was at Junior school we were taught about Peterloo and taken to St Peter's Sq and taken round the Town Hall and had local government explained to us.
Hi Martin, Me and the Mrs have started watching RUclips more on our Smart TV and recently got into your videos. We both grew up in Manchester but left about 30 years ago. We really enjoy all your videos. We think you should be on mainstream TV presenting your stuff!
Hi Martin, Yes we moved to Suffolk (near Ipswich) in 1989. Been here ever since, but still have family friends in Manchester. I'm a bit obsessed with Newton Heath/ Failsworth as that's where I grew up. You've inspired me to do my family history, which I researched a few years back. I'd love to leave a video for the next generations.
Thank you Martin, another brilliant video. I think that word is perhaps old spelling of "Flume", meaning a conduit or channel. So " From Travis Mill Flume" . I also enjoy the flora and fauna, so keep up with the images of wildlife please. It's amazing how much beauty there is in a moth!
We have just found you! In a railway tunnel! Mi Mums frum Manchester Ann Mary after the Hospital that was in the center! I lived in Altrincham after some months in Crumpsal! Westbury Road. Very enjoyable! Back to the Steam trains and Chinese Girls. David and Lily.
"From Travis Mill Fleam?"..but a fleam was a bloodletting instrument in primitive medicine. May make sense if the stream was seen as "bleeding off" from something else. Another champion video, Martin!
So much beauty that once was now almost forgotten about ! I never have been to England ! I have been to Winnepeg , Canada and the Mexico across the border from Yuma , Arizona until 2008 when I took a cruise to the west side of Mexico . I live in south central Kansas . I was raised about 70 miles from where I now live . I have been to California , Oregon , Washington , Idaho , Wyoming , Colorado , Arizona , New Mexico , Texas , Oklahoma , Nebraska , South Dakota , North Dakota , Iowa , Missouri , Arkansas , Wisconsin , Illinois , Indiana , Ohio , Kentucky , West Virginia driving wise ! I have flown into Pennsylvania and Georgia ! Of course Kansas since I live there ! Lol ! I really enjoy your videos which allows me to travel out of the United States of America ! Thank you so much time and effect that you put into these videos !
I'm often surprised, as a lifelong Mancunian, how much the old, unreconstructed parts of our city centre remind me of similar old parts of New York city.
Hi Martin. a fleam is also known as a Leat which is an artificial watercourse or aqueduct dug into the ground, especially one supplying water to a watermill or its mill pond
definitely !
Here in America, it's spelled "flume", and used for various waterworks. Great to learn about British terms, thanks!
pretty sure the original weir was at 53°29'36.3"N 2°13'54.3"W, the new weir being on the old millstream which became the main river path
Damn. You make me nostalgic for places I've never been. Good on you mate. :)
So very true.
Luckily for me,
Im only a few minutes away from most of these sites,
And have a little adventure dog too.
🐶
Wow that bridge moved me too ! I love looking and learning about the history of places around the world ! Thank you for such and amazing video capturing this history before it is gone forever !
The line through Red Bank shut in the early 90's when a coal train derailed outside of Manchester Victoria East signal box, knackering the track work of the junction. The line had already been deemed surplus to requirements, but the derailment hastened it's demise.
Strange to think I've worked trains along that route, I'm a Guard, and at 47 years of age, don't consider myself to be all that old.
Amazing how even in such an urban setting, nature quickly reclaims things.
Keep up the great work. Good to see someone in this day and age, so positively passionate about a subject.
Thanks, good info that. I am fascinated by that line. Stay tuned 👌
I used to walk down the steps at the side of Wilcox drums across Danzic st and up the 77 steps across the bridge and cut through barneys on my way to work 1969/70 , in the winter there used to be a group of fairground people camping on there, it wasn’t so overgrown then and I always wondered what it looked like now ,one of the caravans was a real wooden gypsy caravan small but really well equipped, a lovely woman lived in it we used to stop and have a natter with her sometimes, she left her goldfish out overnight once and the bowl froze solid poor goldfish was a gonner , she also had a tiny black pony that you couldn’t see in the dark that would chase us across barneys till we got to the steps the vicious little sod lol, anyway thanks for another fantastic video Martin you make time travel to a reality. your becoming real cult viewing I always share your videos onto Facebook everyone loves them, I know someone (another of your avid viewers)who after watching your video of Angel meadow when they were doing the archaeological dig she went non a walk there even though it had already been built over she could still see it all in her minds eye she loved it,
Amazing how nature has reclaimed what was a very polluted industrial space.BTW, I'm a rail geek..So, there is always time to rail fan.Bravo on another great tour.
I am becoming addicted to this channel.
it can t really get much better than this can it . thank you so much martin . all the best from wigan
Thanks Olivia
I am learning loads about my home town from these videos. Fantastic and fascinating. Thank you so much for your hard work. Cheers Jo
Hi Jo, thanks very much. Glad you like the videos 👍
@@MartinZero hello to a fellow industrial archaeology geek!!! Great vids martin, thankyou for you efforts mate.
James from newport, wales
@@invertedshadow1746 Thanks James 👍
@@MartinZero , no problem martin, im from Newport in south wales. We have an industrial past here but so much has been lost through housing development etc. Do you know of the site - www.britainfromabove.org
They have 1000's of arial photographs between 1920's - 60's. All very high quality images. If not please check it out mate its a real gem👍
@@invertedshadow1746 Yeah I know Britain from above its a great site
Manchester is filled with nostalgia and you bring this passion to life with your fantastic videos Martin. Thank you so much xx
Thank you Lucia
I see why you love the history of this whole area. There is so much. And the old photos are great. Also your tidbits of music
Here & there are perfect. Thank you
Thanks very much
As a Australian viewer, I doubt I will ever visit the city of Manchester, but your love, knowledge and passion for the city is evident. If I ever venture to the UK, it will be on my list.
Thanks Adam
That music was very eerie with the video ! Which was good because that place looked eerie !
That 1793 map is amazing. You can see what look like fields for farming. Could never imagine that in Manchester. Love old maps as they seem a lot more artistic than modern ones.
Hello, yes that Map is a total mind blown moment. I have yet to study more of it 👍
great film great music great class 40 . never get tired of watching . all the very best from wigan.
Righto,
Watched this twice already,
And will hopefuly watch a third time after tea tonight.
This has to be one of the best most informative and revealing vids yet.
What a treat.
Every other minute theres a mind blowing fact or insight.
And so beautifuly put together.
Even had A Certain Ratio in there too,
PERFECTION.
i'll watch this one again and again,
HOPEFULY with no interuptions.
😒
Thankyou Martin and the team.
Love your videos Martin. I'm not from Manchester but from Huddersfield your Pennine neighbours, love the old things you find and really shows the history of Manchester and the surrounding areas including other towns and cities. Keep up the good work.
Another bit of land I've been so curious about.... The land under the Impossible Bridge!! Can't believe that old railway hut was there and for you splice the footage when it was open and live with activity was fantastic.
You've brought it all alive! Thanks!
Thanks, yes I have a fascination for that area
Another great video presented with passion. I'm always sad when they come to the end.
Steve thanks very much. yeah I'll try and do another 29/30 minute one next time. Thanks 👍
Stumbled onto your Williamson’s tunnels videos accidentally and had to watch them as an old scouse workmate randomly gave a presentation on them. Then these two on the Irk valley popped up which were a must as I now park just off red bank, walk across the roger st bridge and through angel gardens to the angel square building seen throughout. Great to see the history of the area
Again another wonderful video with amazing well thought of and well put together commentary. Id say the best twenty one minute ive had all day.thanks Martin
Ha, thanks Dave. much appreciated 👌😀
Again great story of this great city of Manchester cheers Martin. Exchange station also had a few crashes over the bridge on the road leading to bury 2 in fact last 1 about 1950s. Porters at old Victoria stun always talked about this at the old red star parcels 1971 ish.john Rooney
I’m loving this two parter!! The best yet. 😁 And shots of some “whistlers” at the end! Ace!! Takes me back to 1983, train spotting on that very long platform at Victoria! Thanks for making these, Martin, very interesting. 👍
Really timely video - I moved to Manchester 2 weeks ago and get the tram in from Heaton Park for work. I've been wondering about that huge green area between Queens Road and the city, and what used to be there. Now I know!
There you go. You will also go over the viaduct where the crash was. Hope your liking Manchester 👍
Hiya! I use that tram line too- hope you've settled in to our city now. Living in Heaton Park area you are in Prestwich which also has an interesting history if you want to look into it.
Hello again! Even though I don't live anywhere near Manchester, I'm finding your videos utterly compelling and fascinating. It's always frustrating when 'What was' is swept away, and replaced with an often unedifying 'What is'. Your videos are very well made, and you obviously have a passion for your subject, and want to pass it on. Your knowledge of the area, and it's quirky little corners, where most people don't look, but something utterly fascinating lurks (like the remains of Bridge Mill, for example), make your videos most definitely 'binge watch' material. I also like your enthusiasm for 1980's electronic bands, and I think that yours is the first channel I've watched, that has mentioned A Certain Ratio, who made some superb records, but are sadly unknown to the majority of people. 'All Night Party', 'Knife Slits Water (7" version)', 'Flight', still give me great pleasure. One more thing: the archive picture you show at about 14:00, looks like an area of the city used in a scene from the 1960 Hammer Films thriller 'Hell Is A City'. Do you know if it is? Cheers.
Thank you. Yes A Certain Ratio such an underated Band
Well done editing. I can tell Manchester is near and dear to your heart. Thanks for sharing your city.
It is and thank you
Another great video Martin, it's amazing the green areas around and how quick nature reclaims them.
Outstanding Adventure, thank you for taking us along Martin...
Thank you 👍
@@MartinZero The pleasure was all mine...
The amount of research you put in to every part of these videos is really impressive (and really interesting), keep up the good work.
Thank you very much. I do enjoy it But I am no expert 😀
@@MartinZero modest to the End!
You're a Star and You are creating history for the masses.
Top Man !!! As mentioned so many times on here, you deserve some proper recognition for time, effort and the dogged determination that drives you.
Cheers
Roj
Been binging your videos for the last couple of days, love you enthusiasm and passion mate, look forward to your next videos 👍🏼
Amazing how quick nature takes over again another brilliant video of the not too distant past that few are interested in.
Thanks Stephen, yes places are transformed by nature taking over its amazing
Yet another magical mystery tour! thanks Martin.
Cheers Richard 😆👍
All those Class 37s!!! Another fantastic film Martin. Bravo.
Cheers Andy
I remember Red Bank sidings up to Miles platting where we used to go rabbiting with ferrets & air rifles.
Good days aye.
Thank you for the memories bro. :)
Amazing to see how things change so much in such a short period of time. The little red house and subsequent pictures blew my mind
Another thoughtful video exploring forgotten corners of Manchester
Thanks Elaine, yeah I love it around there
Great video our kid.
I lived in Collyhurst until I was 11 and went to Saint Malachys school, in the late 50s and early 60s me and my mates would go trainspotting on Red Bank in our school dinner hour or when we had light nights.We simply walked onto the tracks from Collyhurst Rd (next to where H Marcel Guest paints are now), no one ever stopped us and we'd go along the tracks to those steps - Ive never seen the Lowry sketch before, many thanks.We called them the 77 steps and knew we had to head back to school when we reached them.In the holidays we'd come down the steps and walk to Viccy station.I remember sitting on that long platform waiting for "Semis" ,"Jubs" , Brits" or "Pats" and older spotters told us that there would be no more steam engines soon and that we should start collecting deisels/electric train numbers - bloody boring!.The hill opposite the 77 steps was a no go area years later as it was used to store old chemical/paint drums and was probably toxic but in 1959 - 1963 we climbed all over them!
Barneys tip was the home of our school football pitch, an awful cinder one - I only ever remember us playing St Pats ( the posh gits always had a full matching kit and we just had a white vest or "liberty bodice" as my Gran called them, I played in goal once and my gran made me wear a balaclava.
The tip side of the track also had a signal box and that was known as a place where you never went in , the guy in there had some quite dodgy habits when little lads were around!
Hi Jim, thanks very much for the info and the memories, sounds great 😀
Isn't amazing how fast nature reclaims the land from man. Another great video thanks.
Yet another great video Martin. So pleased to meet you in the Cathedral, loved the footage from there. Looking forward to your next video x
Hello Anne, great to chat again. Yes lovely to meet you. Glad you saw the footage I got from the Cathedral it was really stunning. Hopefully pop in again sometime and see you there 😀
Superb stuff as always. We all appreciate it! Thanks.
Quality video and very interesting. I love our industrial heritage. Thanks Martin
Thank you Nikki glad you enjoyed
im just now watching this one and its a great before and after shots......
Another great video. I’m living in Cork Ireland and missing Manchester very much. Missing all the buildings, bridges canals and history. Anyway cheers mate for bringing Manchester back to life.
Hi Robert many thanks and best regards to Cork 👍
I love your videos on trains and Manchester. Though I live south of Albany, New York State,my uncle is from UK plus I have great affection for Manchester. Let's just say the David Platt story on Corrie is very personal,and Survivors Manchester has become best bunch of mates. I am flying over in 19 to meet them and just explore,would be fun to see these bridges with someone so into them. Thank you. Drew
Hello, thanks very much for getting in touch. Love that fact that you watch these videos in Albany amazing. Really pleased you relate to them. I often wonder if my videos translate to people outside of Manchester. If you come over next year give us a shout I will show you the bridge, provided its not apartments 😆
Cheers Martin, for yet another insiight into parts of Manchester forgoten and neglegted but with a real history from not long ago.
Thanks very much Brian 👍
Great video Martin - I’ve passed that area a few times over the years and thought one day I should investigate. I still might! The old rail photos before and after were incredible and the LS Lowry link was brilliant. Keep them coming... 👍👍👍
Thanks very much John
Really interesting video! You've painted a picture of how it all used to be!
I just love this industrial history, I have Birmingham roots, so similar to Manchester, thank you for all your hard work, it's fascinating and an Excellent watch.
Hello, and thank you very much. Yep you and me both love that Industrial stuff. Cant beat it 👍
So that's why it was called "red bank" carriage sidings.. absolutely astonishing to think there used to be such a vast siding once stood there. Great touching video into some of Manchesters railway history.
Yes the whole area, the red stone and the red sands. Massive sidings all now gone 🙁
Great video mate , that railwayman’s hut was a real find, can’t believe how much nature has taken over, cracking before and after pics.
Hello, yeah finding the old footage was definitely a gift 👌
Thank-you for sharing another excellent video, and for bringing delight to those interested in industrial history. You really capture the mood. Spot on fella👌
Thanks Jay
I really enjoy your videos, and the "A Certain Ratio" tune was a pleasant surprise. Thank you for creating and sharing them with us.
Thanks very much yep A Certain Ratio, great band
I love your Granada, t shirt, great history lesson once again
Fab T shirt isn' t it 😆👍
Chers Martin for the link iv got get one,👍
Great shot of city skyline then & now loving it ..thanks for showin martin .. great informative vlog.!!!
Thank you Angelica, yeah nice little shot that 👍
I spend hours watching Martin’s wonderful films and wish they were on DVD for Christmas gifts. When I was 5 years old I remember my grandpa taking me to look at the Itk Valley Rsil Crash.
Hi Mike. Maybe I should do that 😀Good business model. But on a serious note thank you very much. That crash must have been something to see
awesome stuff,your a natural,the tunes are fantastic..thanks buddy.Micsa from Stockport
Very good history of sequent occupance in Manchester. Makes you realise just how well off we are today, even with covid. Reminds me of the horrors described by Charles Dickens , only on our own back door. In those days most of population basically starving to death and died at 45 on average. If we dont look after our planet it could all return in no time, only probably a lot worse as our population is so much larger now. Its good people like you just give us a reality check.
Absolutely in love with these videos. May only be a student but I
Thank you very much. 😃👍
Excellent vid again, next time we are in Manchester, going to view that bridge, was only in the Cathedral a couple of months ago !
Keep up the good work, real eyeopeners, thanks.
Thanks David, Its actually a great little place to visit, the bridge 👍
As always a brilliant video Martin how me and my mates haven't bumped into you when fishing the canals around Manchester amazing 👍
Am sure our paths will cross Brian 😀
Another fantastic video!!! I didn't realise that was a bridge and how old it was....Mind blown!!! To see it now completely engulfed in the city centre it's hard to imagine that very bridge stood surrounded by fields. Also, how cool you found the small hut in the old footage! Amazing!
Finding that footage with the hut in it was a gift from the video Gods Geraldine. Couldnt believe it 😀👍
Another great video about my local area, keep up the good work
Great video! I love the sound and looks of those Class 40s, also !
Cant beat a 40 👍🏼
Love the sound of those class 40’s,great film as always,thanks Martin
Hi Mike, cant beat a 40 😀👌
Revisiting these Irk videos as it's now my home. They introduced me to the channel!!
There's development going on under the bridge where the trailway used to be. The old fence running up to the Lowry Bridge is gone. They're chopping down trees and fencing it off. Is HS2 going to be where those railway lines were? That was my first thought of what the activity could be
Martin again.... another fantastic video, very informative very eye opening aswell. Such a drastic difference that area where the railway Sidings were. The old footage made them look so big, yet when you were down there it seemed so small. It's such a drastic change from what it was to what it is now. Enjoyed every minute of this keep them coming buddy 👊
Thanks Andy, yeah it seemed so much smaller today than what the old pics show. Thanks 👍
@@MartinZero I reckon if all the overgrowth wasn't there then you would really be able to compare the size 🤷 no worries buddy 👊
Thanks martin for your great video, I remember going around the Collyhurst avoiding line past red bank in 97 before it closed. When I was a teenager I took a short cut from Moston to newton heath and ended up in lightbowne carriage sidings, all those old trains parked up..Lovely memories. .You should post some of these photos or video to[ Rail forums ] us guys love these old railways before and now.
Hello, yeah I have a few railway enthusiasts on youtube. I was so lucky finding the old footage of where I had explored 👌
Just used this to help with my uni work!! Thank you 😊
That was another fabulous video Martin, your videos are always so interesting with all the history. Its nice to see you are up to thirty eight thousand subscribers very well deserved.
Thank you Adrian. Yes a recent bit of growth on the channel 👍
Heading for 100k very shortly!!
Hi Martin. I was a young beat policeman working from Willert St, Collyhurst in 1965. Travis Isle was the local name of a tenement block, still in use on Collyhurst Rd, near Dalton St. The official name of the tenement may have been Irk Dwellings (?), but it was always known locally to us as Travis Isle. I can pinpoint it on a map if you want? Next to it, on the city side, was a junior school. Both were reached by a bridge across The Irk and I used to do the school crossing point morning, lunchtime and afternoons. Roger St was still open to traffic and a busy junction with Collyhurst Rd. There was a bone renderers on the corner and a large Post Office garage on the right when walking towards The City. A big gas works stood on Gould St and the CWS tobacco factory stood nearby, above Angel Meadow. On still nights the mix of smells can be imagined. Barneys was known as Barneys Croft and if you google it you will find a boyhood account of a Cheetham lad who played there as a pre-war boy. A police Superintendent in my time was Arthur Rose who, as an Inspector, had dealt with and reported on the Irk Valley train crash for the coroner. Mays Pawnshop was still standing on Rochdale Road a few years ago, but not sure now? Very enjoyable videos, thanks. - David G PS - just upstream from Travis Isle is a large weir across The Irk and was to maintain a constant water level, so that water could be taken off into a leat (water channel) to drive the wheel of Travis Mill, thus creating "Travis Isle". After passing through the wheel, the water was returned downstream and back into The Irk. PPS - Re changes to street names. c 1969 Manchester City Council checked all duplicated street names in the city and changed any duplicates to avoid confusion, maybe in advance of the introduction of postcodes? Thus Robert St (Ardwick and site of central mortuary) became Rachel St. South St (off Albert Sq and site of Police HQ) became Southmill St. That may have been when Aspin Lane got it's present name?
Brilliant. In looking at Pics of Collyhurst road I saw the picture of Irk dwellings, to be honest it looked a grim place. Good information about the street names I never knew that. I wonder if the weir was the one I showed in the video. Great information thanks for commenting 👍
Yep. The weir is shown on the 1793 map, just downstream of the entrance to the leat for Travis Mill. If you follow the river north (on Google Earth) there are several similar weirs probably all created to give a constant head of water for an adjacent water wheel mill.
Manchester the past and present with Martin Zero. good program as always. Thank you and goodnight
Thanks very much 😀👍
- Watching & enjoying your work from New Zealand - thank you.
Martin thank you much appreciated. Best regards to New Zealand I would love to visit 👌
@@MartinZero What's stopping you mate? I've got a spare bed!
Martin - Thank you so much for this amazing and revelationary walk-about History. I love the way you delve so deeply into the subject matter - and even bring it back to life with video footage from the time. Manchester Cathedral - a building I know nothing about yet I was a Cathedral Chorister - Peterborough - Now there's some Railway History at Peterborough! My father, when he was Goods and Passenger Manager at Peterborough was instrumental in the straightening of the E.C.M.L as it went through the Station there, thus making the whole railway faster! Historically, our family was responsible for the building of the M&GN Railway in Norfolk - now . . . ? All gone. A pity the redstone is crumbling . . . what will happen to the Cathedral I wonder? Please may we have more of your own wonderful insight into Living History, Martin? Many thanks.
Thanks very much Michael that sounds fascinating
Love your history about Manchester it's great to know what Manchester used to be
Hi Thomas thanks very much 👌
Another great video Martin ,superb choice of backing music,keep up the good work.
Thanks very much Leslie 👌
I really enjoy watching ,Thank you Martin.
Thanks very much Richard
You have so much history right in front of you and how lucky you are. There is of course history where I live in the States but certainly no 597 year old bridges. As always great video Martin.
Hi Scott, yeah the bridge is a bit of gem, rumour has it that some of the stones from the Roman fort were used to build it 👍
I've only just discovered your videos recently but when I saw this I wondered how far upstream you had investigated.
I'm a Roytonian (Royton. North-east of Manchester. About 13km of Manchester city-centre). As a kid I used to muck about in and around rivers and streams and ponds, catching tadpoles and frogs, in this area. It wasn't until recently that I enquired about the source of the River Irk via one of the Royton websites. It was there that I was informed that The Irk has its origins on farmland where I used to play (daring each other to touch the electric cattle fences, en-route) when I was a kid. The beginnings of the Irk are mere trickles in fields just below The Puckersley pub (itself, a nice homely pub with great food) in Royton.
Oldham Edge is another place of interest. Apparently there was some sort of military presence in the area. Indeed, Oldham Edge used to have tank manoeuvres there and the fact that one of the streets in that area (Rifle Street) seems to back up the military thing.
Oddly, the "water board" or whatever name they go under these days, carried out a random water quality test in my parents home, in Royton recently. Apparently/allegedly, the water supply for Royton comes from Dovestones Reservoir (where you was introduced to a "pillbox"). Eventually it arrives at an underground reservoir under Oldham Edge. That is according to the tap-water analyst that took samples in my parents home in Royton. True? I don't really know.
Incidentally Martin, which part of Manchester are you from (no need for specifics. That's understandable). Your stuff grooves my truffles. I'm into the same sort of stuff. I got involved in a project that was carried out at Jubilee Colliery, between Shaw and Newhey, approximately 7-8 years ago. We unearthed coke ovens and rail tracks but due to H&S we had to fill stuff in when we had finished so that it was safe and met their approval. It seemed to defeat the whole project. Sad!
Spot on video as always Martin👍👍
Thanks Jay
Happened to come across one of your videos. Have now watched 5 in a row and subbed. You make great videos and are lucky to live in a part of the world with so much history. Don’t see any of that in Nova Scotia Canada haha.
Utterly brilliant mate, you are a legend!!!
Thanks Martin, another great video.
Thanks very much 👍
Sorry i know i mentioned it in your 1st vid. But the sandstone is much older. Depending where you are they are 250 M+ years old. They pre-date the dinosaurs and reflect the desert like environment the UK experienced during these times. Another great vid mate. Keep it up.
The old sidings phots were brilliant and the hut is still there!
I bet the soil under that nice small wood at the former isle mill is very heavy polluted with cadmium, mercury, lead, maybe arsenic, toluene, asbestos etc. etc.. Just easier (and much, much cheaper) to let nature take it back then cleaning it and build houses ;-)
And glad to hear you're also a railway enthusiastic. Same here, great lover of old yards, freight trains, old industrial branches etc.. Loved the old pictures of the yard at the end of your video.
Thank you, yes I actually remember it like that
Wow it’s just amazing how nature reclaims in such a short time. You never think there was such a massive rail yard once so active and Busy. I live in New Zealand Martin and we have no structures any where as old as that bridge . In fact the first humans only placed foot here 200 years before that bridge was built. The Maori dint build anything out of stone so nothing remains. I would love to just Touch that bridge knowing how old it is truly fascinating Martin once again thank you.
Cheers Mike yeah the bridge is amazing
Great follow up Martin,every video you make seems to surpass your previous ones. I worked on that building above Hanging Ditch in the late sixties, it used to be a Greek restaurant, We were converting it for use as an opticians, we decided to have a mooch in the cellars and discovered an old drinking and gambling den complete with various gambling tables and a makeshift bar. I dismantled the bar counter and and it made an excellent work top in my kitchen.
Ha, Brilliant, is that the cafe place now above the visitor centre ? Have you still got the Kitchen work top ?
Yes that is the place but the worktop is long gone. I don't remember the arches being visible in those days but I could be wrong. What I do recall is a small garden with seating that was the meeting place for the local meths drinkers
Great video martin. amazing how 70 years and the land gon back .thanks..
Hi Martin
Isn’t nature a wonderful and powerful thing. What was once a busy railway siding and industrious place has been reclaimed quietly by Mother Nature. Perhaps if we left other parts of the world alone she would simply repair and reclaim restoring the world to a beautiful place for us to live in. Thank you for the videos they are riveting viewing.
Thank you. Yes I constantly come up against the mix of the former industrial and the ever powerful nature taking it back
Once again another top Notch video thanks Martin on the motorway just before you pull off at Stockport you can see good example of the red sandstone where the motorway has been cut through the red sandstone also worth a visit World War II air raid shelters in Stockport Town Centre they cut through the red sandstone as it was easier to tunnel through the red sandstone making a network of air raid tunnels in the town centre for the public part of it is a museum now worth a visit thanks again and look forward eagerly to your next video Martin 👍
Hello, thanks very much, yeah the sandstone stretches down to Stockport doesn't it. I need to do something in that area 👍
Yes. High red sandstone cliff where a route has been cut for the M60, just below the wonderful Stockport railway viaduct. Just google 'Stockport M60 sandstone" in Google Images
Another great video, Martin. Makes me want to do some similar work in my home town of Wigan, or Bolton where I live now.
I love your Granada TV T-shirt, too.
The Granada T shirt is great isnt it, cheers Paul 👍
Please do Paul. The history of the North West needs saving and valuing for future generations. Kids who aren't taught about their home cities are missing out on something wonderful. When I was at Junior school we were taught about Peterloo and taken to St Peter's Sq and taken round the Town Hall and had local government explained to us.
Fascinating stuff, well researched, great video
Thank you Lola 👍
another great vid martin always learn something new and intresting u should be proud keep up the great videos pal 👍
Hello, thanks very much. 👌
Hi Martin, Me and the Mrs have started watching RUclips more on our Smart TV and recently got into your videos. We both grew up in Manchester but left about 30 years ago. We really enjoy all your videos. We think you should be on mainstream TV presenting your stuff!
Hi Don thanks very much. Where you living now ? 30 years 1988 👍
Hi Martin, Yes we moved to Suffolk (near Ipswich) in 1989. Been here ever since, but still have family friends in Manchester. I'm a bit obsessed with Newton Heath/ Failsworth as that's where I grew up. You've inspired me to do my family history, which I researched a few years back. I'd love to leave a video for the next generations.
You should do it Don. It would be priceless for your family 👌
Thanks Buddy.
Thank you Martin, another brilliant video.
I think that word is perhaps old spelling of "Flume", meaning a conduit or channel.
So " From Travis Mill Flume" .
I also enjoy the flora and fauna, so keep up with the images of wildlife please.
It's amazing how much beauty there is in a moth!
Yeah Flume, it makes sense now. The Moth just landed on me at the carriage sidings, he was beautiful 👌
Another quality produced video pal of the greatest city in the world........you really need to consider moving to the next level 👏👏 👏👏👏
Thanks very Much Paul 👌😃
I know that cities have to develop and move on. But it is sad to see how much of the past is destroyed. Your videos are fascinating. Very well done
Thanks David
We have just found you! In a railway tunnel!
Mi Mums frum Manchester Ann Mary after the Hospital that was in the center! I lived in Altrincham after some months in Crumpsal! Westbury Road. Very enjoyable! Back to the Steam trains and Chinese Girls.
David and Lily.
Hello David and Lily. Thank you and glad you me in the tunnel 😃 Hope you enjoy the videos and thank you for your support. Martin 👍
"From Travis Mill Fleam?"..but a fleam was a bloodletting instrument in primitive medicine. May make sense if the stream was seen as "bleeding off" from something else. Another champion video, Martin!
Hello thanks very much.Thank you that word had me confused. It must have been the overflow from the mill back to the river course