Godley to Woodley Disused Railway Walk

In this video we are back on the west of the Pennines and back in the village of Godley on the outskirts of Manchester. It's an area we've visited before when we came to see the Godley Railway Turntable, Godley Junction disused railway station and the Brookfold sidings.
This time we are having a walk down the disused railway line that ran past the turntable and played a pivotal role in the heyday of the old Woodhead Route.
The line we are walking on was the Chesher Lines Committe line towards Stockport. But after electrification of the Woodhead route must have proved an interesting spot for trainspotters as the electric engines detached after fetching the coal laden wagons over the Woodhead railway, before handing over to steam trains to continue their journey west. Taking the line to Woodley allowed freight traffic to avoid Manchester.
We start at Godley Junction railway station, or Godley East as it was also known. Godley Junction was opened in 1866. It sits on the junction for the former Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway (what we’ve been referring to as the Woodhead Line) and the Cheshire Lines Committee line (CLC) to Woodley and beyond. Plenty of evidence left of the old station, overhead gantries and nearby Brookfold sidings.
We can't pass by without having another visit to Godley turntable and look at the history and it's part of the lines legacy. Built in the 1930s ready for electrification of the Woodhead Route (former Great Central Railway). The electrification of the Woodhead line in 1954 gave Godley a strategic importance as it was the point where steam and then diesel workings over the former CLC system met with electric services via Woodhead. A traction change-over siding was installed and loops on each side of the line ran from Godley Junction to a point 700 yards (640 m) to the east. On 1 April 1969, the turntable was taken out of use.
The turntable pit has been cleared and is now a visitor attraction, including the inspection pits.
We continue down the line towards Apethorne Junction just short of Woodley station and Woodley Junction. Plenty of bridges from the line's original opening era and even a few telegraph poles.
Previous video on turntable and sidings - • Godley Railway Turntab...
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