Summit Junction & the Disused Great Northern Railway Kirkby in Ashfield
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- Опубликовано: 27 июл 2024
- Please watch: "The Most Beautiful Closed Railway in the UK? Scarborough to Whitby Railway Episode 2"
• The Most Beautiful Clo... -~-
Summit Junction & the Disused Great Northern Railway Kirkby in Ashfield
Kirkby in Ashfield sits in North Nottinghamshire just South of Mansfield. Once a busy area for Coal & Railways. Now with just one active railway to it's name, we take a look at the former Great Northern Railways Leen Valley Extension. A short section of this once busy line, out of use since 1982, with plenty of railway history still to offer.
We also talk about the nearby Kirkby Colliery once situated opposite Summit Junction where our walk ends today.
Once there, we take a short jump over to the site of the long buried Annesley Tunnel where i make quite an amazing discovery.
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#disused #railway #nottingham Additional Music by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0.
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Ant - It is a well made video, if you would like to call in at Kirkby Heritage Centre one Tuesday morning (10am - 12 Noon) we can put you right on some bits of the video to do with the closure of the GN Leen Valley extension line in late May 1968 and the opening of the 1972 Kirkby deviation line in early April 1972. We are using the heritage centre as a HQ for the 'Steaming Back to Kirkby' heritage project which is taking place during 2022.
We at Westhouses took over traffic to the metal box factory after Kirkby closed.Traffic for the factory had to run by Kirkby summit to Sherwood colliery to run around the train,and then work back to Kirkby summit,propel the train down to the factory,place the brake van towards the dead end,and then shunt the train into the loading bay’s.Traffic consisted of vans,many of which were ferry vans,which had useless handbrakes for stabling,meaning you applied the brake,and it dropped right down holding nothing.Motive power for the train was a mix of classes 20 to a 45.
auseThis video has certainly brought back memories. When i was a guard at Westhouses depot in the late 70's we had an afternoon trip working which serviced Metal Box. The wagons for Metal Box were conveyed on the Toton -Mansfield trip train.When that arrived at Pinxton the brakevan and 2 x20 from Westhouses would attach on the rear then go up the bank to Kirkby Summit. At Summit we would detach the wagons and take them to Metal Box.We would shunt at Metal Box then leave the outward bound wagons on the end of the branch for the returning Mansfield - Toton to pick up while the Westhouses crew went to Bentinck Colliery to work a coal train to Toton. The 2 x20 banking loco's were also stabled on the end of the branch,before fully fitted trains were the norm some trains required banking down to Pinxton which required additional brake force.
I live in kirkby and its always nice to hear about history you didn't know bout where u live
Absolutely. Thank you for watching 🙂
What a very interesting video. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this, so thank you for the pleasure and memories this gave me.
I live just next to the bridge near the buffer absolutely amazing 🤩
Oh what a nostalgic trip for me via your lovely video. I used to live at Selston and spent many hours in Upper Portland Signal Box with signalman John Leivers (his real name). The box is now on the north Norfolk at Holt. I remember the trains going to and from Metal Box and Summit Junction was on the goods only Kirkby, Upper Portland, Pinxton and Sleights line to Pye Bridge Jc. I was on a rail trip a while ago from Pye Bridge to Mansfield and we passed Summit Jc before joining the passenger line at Kirkby. The Portable building at Summit by the bridge was the new signal box now closed. The railways around there are confusing.
This is 2 minutes from my house and still love walking down there and wondering what it must have been like back in the day. Absolutely love your videos, so much information and you must be researching non stop. Keep up the good work.
Heyyy mong dog !!!!!!
Nostalgic trip, thanks!
Thanks for watching Alan
How interesting. I was born in Kirkby in 1958 yards away from the former Kirkby Central Station in Orchard Road. Your videos are always a delight.
Superb entertainment. Nothing beats a trip into history for me, especially when it is local and involves anything to do with railways. Thanks Ant, made my day. Cheers, Bob
Kirkby south junction was a great spotting place. I can remember them filling annesley tunnel in. I think they filled in robin hood tunnel as well but opened it up again for the worksop to Nottingham line.
They did indeed. It was originally closed on the grounds that the tunnel was unsafe. Later when the Robin Hood line was being dreamed up the tunnel was opened up slightly at its south? end and people sent in to see how bad it actually was and apparently it was still sound. I remember standing at that entrance that was still blocked apart from a small section at the top. Looking the other way from the tunnel was at that time just open fields with no sign of where the railway had been. Later of course the route was reopened as the Robin Hood line. Also at Kirkby summit where the box was there were stabled an extra pair of class 20's which were used to assist heavy freight trains down the bank to Pinxton box. So southbound heavy coal trans had 4 locomotives on from Summit to Pinxton where the leading pair would be detached and run back to the stabling sidings.
Wow the track is still down really nice find love that Annesely tunnels also great Drone footage well presented video so nice to enjoy and watch 👍
Hi Ant. My Dad worked at the "Summit". The name came from it being the "summit" (high point) of the Mansfield & Pinxton line. Regarding Annesley tunnel, it was much deeper than Kirkby tunnel and passed underneath the other line. The East portal emerged in a cutting halfway into the field you were looking at. It's easily seen on Google Earth. You should have gone to the other end Ant. The West portal cutting is still there, near to where the South Junction was. I could take you to it. It's overgrown but accessible, I think. I live five minutes away.
After class 25s picked up from metal box they went to Mansfield south junc onto the Rufford branch to pick up from the sand quarry then off to Toton yard. Good days.
Another great video, my dad grew up in Kirkby and Sutton, he used to go train spotting in these areas.
Enjoy your films. Seeing the 20 on title picture drew me in.
Brilliant. Thanks so much 🙂
Really enjoying your videos. I used to work at SP. Stow just past the pit. The engine sheds were just behind our yard
While working there. While working there. A driver back his train into shed, stuck his head out just as entering shed. And cut his head off. Horrible way to die.
Looks like there are plenty of footpaths around there I could cycle on. Live very close now near Sutton junction. Station rd
Ant, you really know how to tell a historical story. You walk out your front door and you have history waiting for you. Looks you had great weather, a little wind just makes it a bit more fun. Thanks to Trekking Exploration UK for another fine watch.
Great video. I stayed in Kirkby a couple of years ago, so I know this short stretch well. I believe the only surviving building from the Summit Colliery is the old pit head baths, now a tyre emporium. You point at the back of it 15:38 in. (the brick-built building with the cellular mast on top)
Used to watch the trains leaving Sutton Box factory whilst waiting for the Fish train in the cutting , great central, near by. Happy spotting days . The northern used to go through Skegby station just down from where i live.
Good un Ant
Hello Ant - greetings from Poland.
What a fantastic video. The walk was ,amazing, with so much to see of the disused railway line. The insertion of the photographs brought the workings back to life - excellent. Your drone shots and camera skills added to your excellent commentary. made the video even more interesting. Your find of the shaft above the Annesley Tunnel was brilliant. What a shame there's nothing left to see of the tunnel itself. Thanks again for producing such a wonderful video. Stay safe please and I look forward to seeing you again soon
Thanks very much Michael. I'm pleased that you enjoyed it very much. It was a nice find in both locations. Ashame the wind keeps following me around 🤷♂️
Great video.
The siding and buffer stop you found would likely been the "pilot spur" which was used to hold banking engines (assisting engines used on the steep 1 in 50 gradient to the south). Traffic to Metal Box ceased around the late 1980s not 1982. At least after 1986 and likely after 1987. The pilot spur was worked from the nearby Summit box. At one time there was an abandoned wagon at the north end of the branch. I think this has since been cut up.
The stacked portakabin near the bridge was at least the 3rd signalbox on the site and contains/contained a push button panel. The prior brick one on the same foundations was built around 1972. The original GNR one was slightly to the north, closer to the points and buffer stop and along the original alignment which you walked, towards Sutton. It was never called Summit Junction AFAIK, just "Summit" or "Kirkby Summit". The deviation took the alignment of the lines into Summit colliery wagon sidings which can be seen on old maps.
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The route walked was the original GNR one. The line was deviated around a curve and gradient to the east to connect to the Midland route in order to allow the closure of Kirkby town crossing. The entire MR route through the Summit colliery site was then removed with the short GNR section reconnecting to the line to Pinxton and Bentinck colliery. IIRC the bridge was originally a level crossing and the photo of the brick BR signalbox shows no bridge embnkment. When the Robin Hood line was extended a junction was created near Kirkby Lane End.
The last time I was there it was possible to find the foundations of the original GNR signalbox in the undergrowth near the pilot siding spur but it may be deeply overgrown now.
Fittings and rails are missing due to ongoing theft. Gaps in the rails are where joining fishplates have been removed. The rails may have been retained as a token gesture and by agreement similar to the Calverton branch but with no realistic prospect of them ever being used again. Most of the retained Calverton branch track for example has since been lifted.,
Enjoyed this and especially the drone shots. Also grateful you regulate the sound tracks so the music isn't playing over your voice.
Really pleased you enjoyed it and thank you so much
Another brilliant video Ant. Thank you 👍
Hi Ant. Right at the start, where you came up to the fence and the trackbed towards Pleasley. About fifteen years ago, I worked on the nearby estate, and one day after work, I set off along that route, obviously before the fence was erected. There was still some track down that way, and remarkably, two abandoned flat cars had been left in a siding down there!!!! I assume they are still there, but obviously now, it's unlikely we'll ever find out. I followed the trackbed all the way to where it crossed the A38.
best they open it back up considering the state we find ourselves in. Plus the power stations. Anyway, thanks Ant another great video. Its amazing how something so vast a complex can just disappear.
That was terrific, it's wonderful to see the track still in place, and the buffer was a delight to behold. A shame that Annersley Tunnel was inaccessible, but it was nice to see Kirkby Tunnel in all its glory. I think Annersley was the original terminus for the northern end of the GCR, I maybe wrong but I seem to remember seeing it somewhere.
Hi, you are right with your information, this is where the "new line" to London started as the Great Central, further north from here to Sheffield it was originally GNR then became GCR Annesley Tunnel was originally GNR 👍
Amazing finds & how the land-scape can changes over the years / decades!!! Well done 🙂🚂🚂🚂
Saw this yesterday,walked the Summit Junction walk today....only recently come across your You Tube page, ...utterly fascinating and histotical stuff...and much of it just a short drive away!!..Many thanks,Rich
Another great & fantastic video of Summit Junction & the Abandoned Great Northern Railway Kirkby in Ashfield!.👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌
This just epitomises the loss of railways and heavy industries that once employed thousands and benefitted many more.
Great explore with some fantastic footage.
Hi Ant, thank you for all the effort you put in it is greatly appreciated, the quality pictures and information are superb.
Great video. Lovely Arial shots. Thanks
Thanks very much Paul 🙂
My granddad worked at Summit colliery, it’s a shame how things change but it’s quite interesting wondering how things used to be. Can only imagine the town would have had some luck on its side if they did expand Summit haha, reckon it would’ve lasted to the 90’s? Maybe then some listing could’ve gone in place, but that means nothing when you look at the state of clipstone’s headstocks now. I know a good few people moved to bentinck colliery after Summit shut (there’s some rail between pinxton and the bentinck pit site left, used to walk the dogs down there). I do miss the old summit Miner’s welfare, have some nostalgia from being in there when I was about 6 lol. Knocked it down and the land’s sat empty ever since. Surprised they haven’t squished some houses on the land yet. I assure you that I’m not 54 years old, but it sounds like I am reading that.
Your energy and enthusiasm make for another very interesting tour of our lost industrial heritage.
I used to be down there all the time in the mid 90s, it was a cutthrough across the spoil heaps to the "new" estate off Sutton Road. The factory near the massive pipe you were stood on for the drone footage was Charcon Tunnels, they made the concrete liners for the Channel Tunnel. Further up was Meeks transport, on the corner where you go up to Southwell Lane, I did my work experience there. Lovely video, thanks
Another brilliant Video,Ant,keep up the good work x
Amazing that track is still down and great shots from the drone and I’ve actually been above that tunnel with the railings just has a train went through great explore 👍
I was very surprised to find what I did. The track being down still I was amazed. Thanks for watching 🙂
Thanks once again for a great explore and for taking us along. thanks also to those people who took those atmospheric photos
Fantastic as always 👍🏻
a well produced and put together video....top job
Thanks so much Trevor
ant, another great vid, looking at those rails reminds me that in the 70s i used to go to a place on meadow lane nottm where the range is now to a firm called rke which i think is something railway engineers because we used to hire compressors to them and my job was to service them . they used to lay out whole track and points sections, drill and assemble everything , then dismantle for transport to site and reassemble like a jigsaw to keep on site time to a minimum. happy days.
another super video..thankyou
Thanks very much 🙂
That was a great "track" bed walk, short and sweet but with one heck of a lot of interesting relics. Great find at the tunnel👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Cheers Bob. It was a nice find this one 🙂
I am proud to announce, that I have permanently joined your channel as of today. I started to view it eight weeks ago, and have been enthralled with it ever since. It is never boring, or repeating. It is always something i look forward to. I have been used to seeing three or four per day, but now will be satisfied to view your new ones on Sundays, or when ever they come available. Thank also, Aimee, Martin and Vinny for their appearances of the videos, all quite unique in their own ways.
All the best in the future, Antony, and see you on the next God bless, and Cheers mate!
What a fab explore. Beautiful day you had as well. Amazing footage and drone photos. Finding the tunnel infill is a wow for you. Thank you for taking us with you
Yes totally agree with the last comments, so much information, keep up the good work. Very enjoyable has usual.
I think the track is still under that hump in the road. The Lane leading up is relatively new too. On google maps about 10yrs ago, there was still a waggon just up the top next to what is the A38 road.
Brilliant look at this 🙂👍🏻 Seeing the track go right the way to ‘Summit Junction’ is superb stuff. Great job Ant, 🙏🏻
Oh that was fantastic. I know I’m silly but I tend to think the rails have feelings, you show it going off into the distance and it looks so sad and lonely. Was rapt in your great find what a fantastic end to a video. Gosh I so enjoyed that. Thanks for taking me along. Please stay safe and take care
Fantastic video Ant good job keep up the hard work love watching your videos
Thanks very much Neil much appreciated 🙂
Where issued to live in Yorkshire goole there was loads sidings from the docks . Sadly all gone now . But there are still some gems hidden there.
Nice find on the ventilation shaft and always good to see track still in place. Loon forward to the next one.
Thanks Ant another brilliant production and so well researched.
A very enjoyable video. !971 or 72 when they relayed the track does not seem all that long ago to me. It was bad enough after the Beeching report, we don't realise how many more lines were lost during the late 70's and 80's.
Yes, I did enjoy that video, Ant
Thanks very much Michael
Happy days there with a bread and pork dripping sandwich bottle of fizzy with my old friends ian Armstrong and Lawrence Wordsworth
Keep up the good work 👍
From what I can remember reading the crossing on Penny Emma Way cannot be removed and the road levelled because the line has never been officially closed and will cost to much in wading through red tape to close it
Great video, I used to live very close to the spoil heaps - handy for running up and down and then hopping from sleeper to sleeper along the old track bed! I think there are still some remains of the sign board at the entrance to the old GCR Kirkby Bentinck station - something else to explore.
Such a great video Ant. This content is first class and so nostalgic. Brilliant footage 👏🏻
Thanks Ben much appreciated 🙂
Was down there last month feb 22. Amazing its still there.
It's surprising isn't it? Thanks for watching 🙂
Love these videos mate, great job as always, you have a great way of bringing things back to life
Have you been to the site of Kirkby South Jcn where the G.C.Mansfield met the G.C.Sheffield,there’s still around 100 yds left still very discernible,and totally interesting.
excellent video as always brings back a lot of memories I Love Your Enthusiasm for the little things all the best
Thanks Andrew for your kind words 🙂
thank you it's nice to know that there's people out there who appreciate this kind of stuff and make high quality videos about it@@TrekkingExploration
Hi Ant, the circular bricks you found were from the airshaft, there were 2 on that tunnel (great northern and great central) but none on the midland tunnel (Robin hood line) nice find👍
Hey Ant.. hope you are well? At 16:36 in your video you point to that road bridge, next to it (the double decker container/cabin) is the old Kirby Summit signal box, obviously now closed when the Erewash was resignalled a couple of years ago (all now controlled from EMCC at Derby).
Also, I can remember some of my now retired colleagues that used to be based at Toton, telling me about the days when they used to take trains down the line to the metal box factory...
Did always wonder where that line used to go whenever I go past on the mainline...
Cheers!
P.s. And still havent forgotten about High Marnham for you... ;-)
I only visited here because I went to work on the train passing the old junction a few weeks ago and saw the track. So the next day I went back and I was very surprised. There are some lovely memories there for you too then it seems...
Also forgive me I've forgotten about the High Marnham thing please remind me 🙂
Cool video, Good use of the drone , i like to see the old tracks still in place.
Cheers Ant
Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Brilliant.Thank you.
Nice video xx
Great video Ant I used to go down penny Emma way every day to work and that track out line in the road used to interest me that much that I’d get on google maps and trace it in both directions. I used to work on brook side way in huthwaite and there’s an old track bed down there which is a nature trail which I’ve walked part of. If you research in there area of huthwaite there seems to be quite a network of railway tracks there.
Ant, I saw a bridge parapet today, on Low Moor Road, west side, near Observatory Way (it can be seen on Google Maps). Using your maps in this video I can that there was a line across to a sandpit 👍
fantastic ant
Very good.:)
Thanks very much 🙂
Great stuff! Thanks for an interesting video, my old area so good to see. Did you know Penny Emma Way is named after the shuttle train between Sutton and Sutton Junction? Was only built when they improved the A38, I think, but nice to get a historic nod in the name.
Great video as usual Ant. But I did notice a spelling mistake in the opening credits😱😱😱😱
Nooooooo keep it quiet 😮😮😮😂
Thanks Nigel 🙂🙂
@@TrekkingExploration only 2 E's in extension 👍👍👍👍👍
Why on earth close down collieries that had a lot of life in them and then rub salt into the wound by importing the coal, not only losing the pit but losing the railway as well, successive governments could have reopened plenty of the mines around the country creating employment for not only the mining industry but for plenty other industries as well, great insight into Nottinghamshire infrastructure of old, love your posts
Very interesting content and I'm not really into me exercise! I don't think I'll be a track walker on the regular any time soon.
Wondering where you'll go next.
Hi Ant lots to see there and a shame the GNR tunnel has gone too
what was the rail map you use as I didn't catch it please
looking forward to more videos xx
IF you had gone the other and looked at WHERE 3 RAIL WAY LINES AND A ROAD BRIDGE CROSSED near Abacus .Bown low was one the anlther crossed Then The penny emma line crossed .Thete was a Hump back bridge over those 3 lines
When you look at our industrial and railway past it makes you wonder in hindsight why we abandoned the coal mines, rail networks linking all villages and towns. The lack of self sufficiency in energy and the cost of fuel for transport at the moment makes you think we should have known better.
Really enjoyable video as always m8... Shame you couldnt find the tunnel mouth of the old gcr it seems the other end is visible in a field near the station on google maps not sure if you've discovered this .. keep them coming cheers
Thanks very much. Glad you enjoyed it. I'm back over that way this week so I shall have a mooch around
The OS map shows two air shafts for the Annesley Tunnel, one of which was pretty close to the south portal of the Kirkby Tunnel. Was that what you found, or was the air shaft elsewhere?
Usually went they spent money it was to make the colliery uneconomic for closure purposes same thing happened on the railway from time to time.
New in this area soon
Is this a public right of way from penny Emma way to summit Junction as it looks a intresting walk
Did u go to the other side of anasley tunnel I’m sure there’s more there
Hi love your updates you use a Google app for lost railway do you have that app available
The rails still run under the road, there's a hole in the tarmac you can see it. Specsavers🤣
Busy traffic so I didn't hang around
IF YOU HAD GONE THE OTHER WAY and looked how it was 30 years ago there was on the old Abacus lighting factory ,You would have come to it from THE OTHER direction OVER A HUMP BACK BRIDGE that was over the old branch line PENNY EMMA LIN that was over the the rail line you are looking at THAT WENT over te other RAI L LINE FROM green wood drive ,,,SO three TWIN lines and 1 road bridge,
There must be scrap value in the steel track. Why has no one picked it up?
All I can suggest is that busy road nearby... Although at night it must be very quiet
gee... what is stopping someone from scrapping all the old rail ?... i lived in a few places where people would steal everything even if it was bolted down...and take the bolts as welll...
Why the heck doesn't someone from the Government collect all the valuable steel rails up. Money would go a long way to help in the situations we find ourselves in.
Or help with a proper cycle way.
Brill again
Thanks very much 🙂
I can honestly say I am a convert, a nostalgic sentimentalist, pastism, a pasty maybe, a sort of Antpasty not to be confused with antipasti of course, who longs for the past and until then just follow Ant into the past, I have absolutely no interest in anything built since 1980 and pre 1960 seems to be the rich, sound golden age of tasteful built to last industrial heritage that could and should of been kept, even if mothballed but waiting for a sunny future day when they could once again appeal to common sense.
If a group of Victorian's came to the present day, for a day, they would be mortified and shocked that we have destroyed the legacy that they toiled and built for us, where thousands of navvy's died, where employment was high, all for what, to cut costs. Many other countries, their public transport is run as it's considered an essential part of government public services, like schools and hospitals, but the UK, we see public transport as a burden and profit making enterprise.