The Worsbrough Incline & Abandoned Collieries
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- Опубликовано: 15 фев 2024
- We're continuing our journey down the Wath to Penistone railway, Barnsley avoiding line. Once part of the historic Woodhead route which saw countless tonnes of coal and freight head westbound from the coalfields of Yorkshire to the hungry power stations of the west. We're on a section of the line between Silkstone Common and Dodworth today that was made famouse for it's unusually steep gradient, which caused a few interesting workings - the Worsbrough Incline (or Worsbrough Bank as it was also known). As well as this, there were several collieries along the way. We'll see evidence of the former Old Sovereign and New Sovereign Collieries. Then part of the branch line to Wentworth Silkstone Colliery.
Let’s talk a bit more about this incline. Now it’s not an incline like I’ve covered in the recent past - not like those on the Cromford & High Peak. But at 1 in 40, it’s quite serious in terms of a mainline railway. For comparison, the well known Lickey incline is 1 in 37.7. Sheepasture on the Cromford & high peak was about 1 in 8.
This gradient and the heavily ladened coal trains using it was one of the drivers behind the electrification in the 1950s. However even the electric locos themselves needed to double head and even have two bankers at the back on some trains. During steam days, all westbound trains needed to be banked. So what is banking for those who aren’t familiar? We’re basically talking adding an additional engine (or two in some cases) at the back to give it a push.
Such was the scale of the job, In 1925 the LNER built the most powerful (and longest) steam engine to ever run on British tracks - The one-off Class U1. You’ll hear us refer to this as a garrett. Designed by famous Nigel Gresley and built by Beyer, Peacock and Company. On a typical day it would bank 18 trains from Wentworth Junction upto West Silkstone Junction. Though, not without issue. Multiple steam engines working hard through the Silkstone Tunnels, usually mean the poor crew of the Garett at the back would be met with a poisonous concoction of soot and smoke. They would detach, return down the incline light engine, before doing it all over again. It was no longer required after electrification and struggling to be practical enough for use elsewhere on the network, so it was scrapped in 1956.
The line east of Old Sovereign Coliery was opened in the 1850s, however it wasnt extended towards West Silkstone Junction until 1880.
This line only really served freight traffic and was littered with collieries along the way - the majority with the own branch lines. However, the line closed in 1981 when the full Woodhead route was closed. It is now part of the Trans-Pennine Trail. A long distance network of cycle paths.
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Used to bike it down and back up from Wath most Saturday mornings. 20 years ago.
That was absolutely fascinating, so much to see and get your head around. The remains of those buildings just show the vastness of what was there, and that recess near the end was incredible. A bit disappointed that John didn't have any food on the go though!!!!
😄 the sandwich never made it into the cut. I was trying to hold a sarnie and coffee at the same time as camera.
Amazing to think this is all GCR Jim.
@@WobblyRunner Yes, it was a phenomenal infrastructure.
Think that old railway lamp would have come home with me if I'd stumbled across it. Also, seeing that NCB brick reminds me of talking to an owd miner years back who claimed it stood for something very different to National Coal Board. 😉
👍 haha that might have got rust on my packed lunch box 😄 Ive come across much cleaner better conditioned lamps over the years. I got one from Barnetby when I was young and painted it up into white again.
Another great video Paul so much history to as always like all the construction of the bridges and were the lines use to run thanx for sharing again.
Thanks very much Chris.
Fantastic video Paul, what a great location, packed with history and so much to see!
Did you know that the Garratt’s footplate crew had to wear respirators through the tunnels which took air from close to rail level as the smoke generated was that thick and intoxicating!
Looking forward to the next video, thanks for sharing, all the best 😊
Thank you :)
Sounds like horrific working conditions doesnt it. And then to have to do it time after time each day.
@@WobblyRunner agreed, you certainly wouldn’t get those working conditions past the health and safety pips these days!
Quality as always top man 👍
Cheers Andrew
Great stuff.
Cheers David
A great explore there Paul. There's a lot to be found just off the trail.👍
Great video! I've walked the Worsborough Incline myself and the 1 in 40 is definitely noticable on foot. I tried getting to the lower Silkstone Tunnel and got as far as the railings, but the underfoot conditions weren't ideal - my foot sank about 6ins into the mud and I thought "game over"! Managed to extract it after playing 'Tug of War' with the gloop!
😄 sounds like an ordeal Greg. Similar conditions at the other side too.
A bog in winter and a rain forest in the summer 😂
Thank you the walking tour of the railroad line. Very interesting to hear. Always after seeing and hearing the video, it’s walk back in time. Luckily there is still a lot formations still around to connect with, by your statements. Enjoy your weekend, and see you on the next. 🇬🇧🙂👍🇺🇸
Thanks Martin 👍
Have a great weekend
Fab video on the famous Worsbrough incline! First time ive seen remains of the old sovereign colliery Paul, very interesting. Beautiful part of South Yorkshire. ❤😊👍
Thanks Carol.
It really is a very scenic part of the world. So much history scattered around too 😊
I saw your comment on the part 1, but it seems to have disappeared before I could reply 😊
@@WobblyRunner oh its me Paul, I thought I missed part one but I hadn't, getting confused! 😅
Not even watched it yet. But after pressing the alert button its my first rapid wobbly runner update. Stuck here at bus stop after missing the 51 bus and the trams arent working to halfway.
Oh well i might watch the video and just hope i dont get mugged for my phone on west Street 😮
😄👍 I was walking down west street earlier this evening.
Good old blue trams out of action.
Another great video for a Saturday morning Paul. When you were in the heapstead is that the top of a shaft? Every time I see the remains of a pit I can't help but wonder what remains underground. Probably flooded but all sorts of stuff will be there
Morning Russ! :)
I dont think it was a shaft as such. Just somewherewhere to load the coal into the wagons or vehicles. From what I understand anyway.
Reminded me a bit of a lime kiln, but without the oven.
@WobblyRunner cheers Paul
I was wondering with it being round if thar was the top of the shaft and the cages came up higher to load tubs into rail wagons and the lower level was for men
Loving it ❤
Cheers Glyn.