Deepcar - Penistone - Woodhead - Hadfield. Woodhead's Lost Railway part Two.
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- Опубликовано: 28 сен 2020
- We walk the missing part of the Woodhead Railway starting at the Junction with Deepcar, passing thru Wortley and Thurgoland before exploring the railways around Penistone. We then head towards Hazlehead where we also explore a lost mineral line, before heading towards Dunford bridge; the eastern portal of the Woodhead tunnel.
We travel over the Pennines then explore the western tunnel portal before heading towards Crowden, next stop is Torside before finally descending into Hadfield where the track starts up again.
A very pleasant walk with plenty of clues still in situ.
Directed by Allan Roach.
A brief history....
The line opened in 1845. It was built by the Sheffield, Ashton-under-Lyne and Manchester Railway with Joseph Locke as its engineer. In 1847, the railway merged with the Sheffield and Lincolnshire Junction Railway, the Great Grimsby and Sheffield Junction Railway and the Grimsby Docks Company to form the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway; it changed its name to the Great Central Railway (GCR) in 1897. Ownership passed to the LNER in 1923 and, finally, to British Railways Eastern Region in 1948.
The original eastern terminus of the line was at Sheffield Bridgehouses railway station. By the time of the creation of the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway in 1847 a 0.6-mile (1 km) extension including the Wicker Arches viaduct, engineered by John Fowler, was constructed to the new Sheffield Victoria station, which opened in 1851.
Both goods and passenger traffic were very heavy; therefore, some sections of the line were quadrupled.
Electrification
Electrification was first mooted by the Great Central Railway, owing to the difficulties of operating heavy steam-hauled coal trains on the Penistone-Wath section (the Worsborough branch); a line with steep gradients and several tunnels. Definitive plans were drawn up by the LNER in 1936; many of the gantries for the catenary were erected before the Second World War.
The Second World War prevented progress on electrification, but the plans were restarted immediately after the war; however, this time with plans for a new double-track Woodhead Tunnel. TA second Thurgoland Tunnel was also required, as the existing tunnel had inadequate clearance for twin electrified lines.
The Manchester-Sheffield-Wath electrification project was finally completed in 1955, using overhead wires energised at 1,500 volts DC. Whilst this was tried and tested technology (and is still standard in the Netherlands), the comparatively low voltage meant that a large number of electricity substations and heavy cabling would be required
New electric locomotives for the line were constructed at Gorton locomotive works, Manchester. These were the EM1/Class 76, for freight trains and some passenger duties, and EM2/Class 77 locomotives for express passenger trains. A new depot at Reddish, situated on the Fallowfield Loop line, was built in 1954 to maintain the new locomotives and EMUs.
Closure
Having seen major investment in the 1950s, the line was controversially closed to passenger traffic on 5 January 1970. By the late 1970s, a large part of the remaining freight traffic consisted of coal trains from Yorkshire to Fiddlers Ferry power station near Widnes, which required a change to diesel haulage for the final part of the journey.
By the early 1980s, the combination of alternative available routes, an absence of passenger traffic since 1970 and a downturn in coal traffic across the Pennines, along with a need to eventually expensively upgrade or replace the non-standard electrical supply systems and Class 76 locomotives, resulted in the line's closure east of Hadfield. The last train operated on 18 July 1981 and the line was mothballed.
The tracks were lifted in the mid-1980s, ending any short-term hopes of reopening. Almost the entire line east of Hadfield has now been lifted, apart from a few short sections shared with other lines, notably at Penistone.
The driver in that black and white film was Walt Hibberd who I worked with at Rotherwood.
Thx. Nice to put a name to the face….
Another great video for us retro rail nuts, keep `em coming.
Thanks for the video adventure and insights into the past. I really enjoyed this trip and the Lost Railways of Sheffield one. Thank you and well done!
It should never have been shut!
Great video. I walked the line from Penistone down to Victoria (sore feet on the ballast) in 1989 when I moved back to Sheffield and missed almost all of what you highlighted, particularly in your other video from Victoria. So really interesting. I also travelled on the line from Piccadilly to Victoria in 1965 on a trainspotting expedition to Doncaster and missed most of it as well due to the speed of the train, so your old photos compared with how it looks now, brings it back to life.
I find your videos very interesting because you have a good knowledge of what you're looking at and a pleasant style in describing what you're seeing.The addition of some period pictures makes it interesting too.Keep it up!
Great video thanks walked on the woodhead line many times, there is plenty of remains of the infrastructure of the old line, the bridge between Deepcar and Wortley is the bridge for the Stocksbridge bypass, built after the line closed, the concrete structure that remains at Penistone is the old electric control center, the concrete posts with the wooden supports was for the cabling, the steel works originally was called camel laird, the box part with the bits of cable stuck out were where the cables were joined up in there, think they were nicknamed "coffins" because they kept burning out
Nicely done and a very good review of the current situation. Only due to a major lack of longer term strategy could this happen. Right up to closure it was often used as a diversion route due to engineering works on the Hope Valley line. Sadly there is no prospect of this line opening again as other Pennine routes are close to bursting with capacity issues.
I flew through Thurgoland tunnel a few times, I can tell you. Rotherwood was a very happy depot. We moved 1436 tons with ease up the bank, and at its height, it only cost one shilling in electricity to haul a train.
what a line that would be today this country throws everything away
Cracking footage thanks
Immensely enjoyable! Thank you!
Brilliant enjoyed that!
Thanks very much - a smashing video.
Love your video's, I was looking for info on the Woodhead Line, and found your brilliant work!! Extremely informative and knowledgeable!
hi allen -- many many thanks for a great video
I can't believe the old signal gantry at Hadfield is still there! I thought it had been removed in the mid 00's. When I lived in Manchester, I delivered for Asda out of Ashton-under-Lyne. One summer afternoon in 2019, with a very quiet run, I followed the Woodhead line from Guide Bridge down to Hadfield, stopping at almost every station along the way to take in the sights. Had I known the gantry was still there, I would've gone hunting for it. Guess I'll have to really hunt for it when I come back to Manchester. Thanks for this vid!
Update: I came back and found the gantry in August '21, but it's thanks to you that I found it. Even climbed it too 😂
That was a good explore Allan, i've done bits of it myself, well done mate
Superb video very interesting
Loved the video... an interesting route. But... I am a pedantic old sod so I am going to correct you on something. The 'pantograph' was on the roof of the locomotive, so you will not see any on the track. What you will see are the remains of the 'Catenary'... the supports and cables. But ignore me, like I say I am a know-it-all and cannot help myself!
That branch from Hazlehead was for the Hepworth iron company at Crow Edge, and was worked by two 0.6.0.tank locomotives, Hepworth, built by the Yorkshire engine company in Sheffield, and Ebor an interesting loco originally belonging to the Barry Railway 8n Wales.The branch ceased working in the early 1960s when the company went over completely to road transport.
The pantograph was the thing attached to the loco that drew power from the overhead contact wire. The structure holding the overhead was called a gantry.
Brilliant footage in Woodhead box.
Found this vid by accident,really interesting cheers
Just came across this by accident on a boring Saturday night. Watched the first two and absolutely bloody brilliant. Will carry on tomorrow, thanks for posting. 👍👍
Makes you want to shed a tear when you see what was created for purpose, is now discarded all for what?
Decisions that suited 40+ years ago proberly regretted by 2020, foolhardy, short sighted, woodhead tunnel was a ready made cable duct for national grid power cables to use when it became redundant, so now its gone for ever.
There seems to be no transport policy now and for quite a few years past. So much for the environment - lorries and cars everywhere.
I travelled this line from Oughtibridge to Penistone from 52 to 58 (when it was shut to passenenger traffic (They we had to go by Sheffld bus to Deepcar then on Yorkshire Traction up thru Stocksbridge and via the Flouch to Penistone. In the early 50s we caught a 3-carriage train at 8 25 on school days at OB station, and one at 4.20 pm at Penistone back to OB. The engine was a C13, and it usually ran backwards. One time I fell asleep and missed OB station so I had to get off at Wadsley bridge and explain to the authorities why my pass only went to Oughtibridge. It wouldnt have been so bad except that I was completely broke, and had to borrow the 3d it took to catch the bus back to Oughtibridge. Fortunately, my aunt lived just outside Hillsborough station and lent me the money.
I grew up oughtibridge from 1941 to when I went to Tanganyika in 63, so I saw electrification of this line, and its in 59, the line was closed to passenger traffic. Naturally, I support Sheffield Wednesday, but thats another story.
It really annoys me that I cant comment on the Sheff Victoria to Deepcar section.
Hi Allan just watched your Woodhead film absolutely brilliant always fascinated me I live Sheffield were has u no Victoria station is I have loads of books and dvds at home such a big shame it shut thanks for the film 👍🏼
Very interesting video. Such a shame it closed, but I hope that the clues to the old railway remain for many years to come.
Ideal for a cycle path - they are critical for keeping the line free from housing development.
I remember soon after privatisation, there was talk of reopening. It would knock a good chunk off time between Sheffield snd Manchester. Maybe eventually.....
great one . enjoyed that. I got some good footage of tunnel 3 last week from sending a camera down the air vent. ok i was pretty bored
Who else was punching the screen everytime he refered to an overhead line gantry post as a "pantograph". 🤣🤣
Steve Lomas I stand corrected and educated...thx.
Yep, OHLE/catenary, etc. The pantograph is on top of the loco and collects the electricity from the overhead line.
thankgod I wasnt the only one , I think he knew and it was a plot to get people commenting.
@@RichieWellock Ha, it's a ploy most RUclips channels use...they say they don't, but we still fall for it. He knows his stuff and seems educated on railway matters...we've been had lol. You & Urban legend should give the old Woodhead tunnels a go...no water in there lol. 🤣
@@stevelomas4119 Funny you should say that, ive all ready done a scout out. but probally will let a big channel pass it off as there own work.
the building at minute 15:57 is the former electrical control room for the line.
Brilliant couple of videos of this route well done and by the way the pantograph you refer to is the bit on the loco that touches the wire and at track side its just overhead line equipment or cutenery and stanstions but keep the videos going.
Thx Luke, as you may have read I have been crucified by several enthusiasts about the pantograph thing....oops lesson learnt
Your right about the bridge , it’s later than the closing of the line and the path diverts off the line
When they first electrified the woodhead line were the cables much higher than they are today, because looking at the pantagraphs on the old engines they seem to be stretching to reach the cables, where today's trains pantagraphs don't seem to be stretching
Yorkshire iron and steel company was Cammel Lairds,the other side of the track,where the turntable and the tank ramp is was
David Brown's foundry, I remember seeing the turntable in use,turning B14.6.0s and other steam locos in the fifties.
I agree,it should never have shut!
10:20 Its now been cleared out and landscaped (November 2022)
Thurgoland station was about 200yds through the Thurgoland tunnel, left hand side Manchester bound.
The word 'Pantograph' has been misused at various points in this video.
The building at Penistone wasn't a sub station, it was in fact Electric Control for the whole system.
absoloutely great video! ive been on this line a fair few times yet have seen any of what's shown here as i rarely venture through bushes & whatnot, but it's a real shame that a line like this can never see the light of day again as it's truly beautiful! mind if i ask? what's the name of the penistone station song you put in the video? it sounds great and i'd love to hear it! either way, keep up the good work!
Walt Hibberd was the driver in the documentary.
Enjoyed both of your videos. Where did you find the old footage of this line (the previous video showed a train heading through Oughtibridge). Haven't come across it before and would be interested to see the original footage.
Hop Forward they were snippets that were part of a public info film, it included this footage plus emus in London and ac electrics on early west coast, a lot of waffling but good shots. I used all the Woodhead shots in the videos.
Some great cine film footage in Woodhead/Dunford area in the 1970's here: ruclips.net/video/Kbv7cSVKX7s/видео.html from about 11.00 mins onward.
The building at Penistone was the Electric Control for the whole route.
I found your maps interesting, trying to reconcile Dunford Bridge with Google Maps does not seem quite right as the shapes are entirely different. Where do the maps come from?
The 21 y-o in the box looks a bit like Paul McCartney
Ringo Starr maybe?
I can't help noticing on these and other similar videos how there's never any sign of aggressive menacing by absolutely criminally insane psychopathic dogs like there nearly always is if I try and do such a walk. And it far too often makes me absolutely pour with appalling sweat if I try and walk much more than about a quarter of a mile, and that's in the winter.
Wish they could reopen Woodhead but the government seems adamant that they won’t. Shame really as it may free up some traffic on the Hope Valley line
The original tunnel wasn’t tall enough for two tracks plus catenary so one electric line went through each old and new, never mind class 40 lol class 76 air horns once heard never forgotten a mournful wail
You're talking about Thurgoland aren't you, not Woodhead? You had me confused for a moment! The original Woodhead tunnel was built as single track for reasons of economy and it soon became obvious that a second one was needed.
@@johnm2012 no thurgoland
So sad to see ! Decline of rail traffic to fosil powered, nowadays necesarily re reviewed way of doing things. What about electric trucks that´s the first thought politicians, no return to the old railway network distribution model, expensive and inflexible ? World lives on 24 hour commercial traffic for many services rail was and isn´t good enough any time ever, sorry ! Little detour for ever, that what´s the prospect as services need to be proftible ? Wonder about those Highspeed lines wich are only used for regional long distance travel what will local people provit of this ?