Dismantled, Disused, and Derelict railways
Tue, 5 Feb 2008 22:58 hywel |
Not closed to all traffic but now only open as a museum. And then following the old Brill Branch south west - bear in mind this was actually part of the Metropolitan Line for a number of years in the early 20th century!! (the railway actually went through the left most extension of the old railway house in the last picture). Not much to see today unless you keep your eyes peeled, but as I say, for quite a while it was the western most branch of the London Underground, falling just short of Oxford... You can also follow the other branch northwards to Verney Junction: which although actually still has some rails, looks rather sad and forlone these days. |
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Tue, 5 Feb 2008 23:42 hywel |
Some pictures from South Wales this time. Firstly, an old line that's long gone above the upper Swansea Valley... And for another line. The line to the right of Pantyffynnon station on the Heart of Wales Line has recently been restored but possibly a massive waste of money - in the last year it's my understanding that a single loco has run up and down the line to prove that it now works. The reason for the restoration vaporised before it was completely with the coal industry yet again abandoning the line. Here the line branched and this is the bit that closed in the 1950s: End of the (old) line - though a separate line continued on over the road. But - back to the bit that still has tracks... SN7112 : Level Crossing] Despite the last two - there is actually recently restored rail all the way to here. There is some hope for this little line though - the Amman Valley Railway Society hope to run some form of tourist/herritage servie along it sometime in the future. Hopefully son as I suspect no maintenance is being done since that train ran along it about a year ago now... At Gwaun Cae Guerwen there was another branch to a nearby mine at one time too (hence the bridge seen in the first of the last batch): And finally, another line jst a bit further west. Unlike the last one, despite this one still having rails most of the way, there's very little chance of it ever seeing a train ever run along it again. .. and the rest of this line is still green squares - something unthinkable in many parts of the country on Geograph now! |
Mon, 20 Oct 2008 14:09 dace83 |
Disused lines around Beccles Beccles is a small town in Suffolk, it used to be a main railway centre with the East Suffolk line and the Waveney valley line going through. The railways in the area rapidly declined in the 1950s and 60s even in the 1980s. Now Beccles has an eyesore of a station and a now singled East Suffolk line running through it. Beccles station itself was a beautiful station with several platforms (including a swinging one like at Halesworth). It had a goods shed, signal box, engine shed and turntable. The signal box being demolished in the 1980s when the lines where singled. The engine shed survived until 2006 and the turntable pit is filled in. The island platform is derelict and the station buildings are empty. The station area has however been restored with the restaurant, goods buildings (not the goods shed which was demolished and built on) and maltings which has recently been converted to flats. There was a mainline that went through Aldeby, through to Haddiscoe, St Olaves, Belton through to Yarmouth Southtown station. This line was made famous by 'the Easterling' a train that was hauled usually by B1s or Brittanias, the train split at Beccles with one half going to Lowestoft and the other to Yarmouth. This line had two swing bridges, one just north of Beccles and the other at St Olaves (both had been dismantled). The line closed because the cost of repairs was too high in 1959. The other line was the Waveney valley railway, this small branch connected Tivetshall (on the Great eastern main line to Ipswich and beyond) to Beccles. Running through Geldeston, Ellingham,Ditchingham, Earsham, Bungay,Hommersfield,Harleston, Pullham st Mary, Starston and Tivetshall. The line closed in stages, firstly passenger services stopped in 1953, the line split in 3, and eventual closure in 1966. Today Beccles has a link with Lowestoft with the branch to Lowestoft surviving. It could of been very different if Dr Beechings second wave of cuts would of taken place as the east Suffolk line was on the list. Beccles station today The line crossed the Waveney many times and the first was on the remains of this bridge. Here is the Trackbed West of Beccles, concrete bridges remain, also some ballast can still be felt. Geldeston station as a private house, the goods shed is now a business and the house has had an extension. Between Geldeston and Ellingham was a crossing keepers house as seen here. Next was a road bridge, guarded by a pillbox. After that was Ellingham, the trackbed around this area is private but well preserved, the station survives but much altered. Ellingham mill was served by the line Ditchingham was demolished for road improvements, the line served the maltings but the maltings, after years of dereliction are being demolished for houses. Some of the trackbed however survives, cut off from the rest of the trackbed by the bungay bypass (A143). It is now a footpath The old bridge near 'chicken roundabout' still survives, the blue in the background is where the maltings where and a little further on was Ditchingham station. After Ditchingham was Bungay, this was a station with Goods shed, watering facilities , signal box and two platforms. The buildings where small and not of the design of the other stations on the line. The station was framed by a large 3 arched road bridge. It was situated where the bungay bypass is now, near Clays printing (of Harry Potter fame) The M&GNJRS rescued the water tower and it is now at Weybourne station. Link to Bungay town website http://www.bungay-suffolk.co.uk/history/reflections-9.htm Earsham station survives as a house, even some platform still exists This is Harlestons surviving goods shed, it is now a garage. The station was demolished for road building. Harleston survives as a yard and offices for a local building firm The station was the only on one the line with a footbridge. Pullham st Mary is now a house. Starston station closed in the late 19th century but remained as a house. The line then merged at Tivetshall St Mary station which has been demolished as though the route is the main route to Norwich. Route to Yarmouth North of Beccles the line was quadrupled track, the mainline and the branch to Lowestoft, this then split into two double track lines. The trackbed survies as a walk and you can even drive down it. Relics include old PW sheds rotting away and the odd goods van. At the site of the old swingbridge the brick founds ations survive. The signal box has been demolished. The first station on the route was Aldeby, this is now a scrap yard/car sales area. The station house survives, along with the road bridge but the trackbed has been built on. The signal box and goods shed has also gone. The next station was haddiscoe High level station, first the line crossed Haddiscoe marshes and crossed over the line to Lowestoft ( survives), then the line crossed the river with St Olaves swing bridge (demolished) The station survives, the platform is very derelict ,the signal box is now private. Both Lines were connected by Fleet junction, a signal box (foundations) for the level crossing and bridge can be seen here, just. The signal box for the junction was saved and is now at Mangapps farm railway museum. http://www.mangapps.co.uk/ The present station (once Haddiscoe low level) The line then arrived at St Olaves, the massive cutting in now overgrown and the part near the station filled in and built on. The station also now has a house built on it. The station sign used to be on the garage next door but has now disappeared. All traces that a mainline once passed have gone. The line curved right into Fritton woods where the track bed is walkable. The trackbed may be turned into a gravel pit although opposition is high. The line entered Belton, a village that has swelled in recent years. The station site has been built on. Trackbed near Belton Entering Yarmouth Southtown the line was crossed by the old Lowestoft to Yarmouth line (closed 1970), it then ended at Yarmouth Southtown station. http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/stations/y/yarmouth_south_town/inde x.shtml http://www.berneyarms.co.uk/html/yarmouth/rail/southtown/southtown.htm The station site now has a Matalan and lidl built on it. And so, Great yarmouth lost a direct Link with London. |
Fri, 7 Nov 2008 15:55 dace83 |
Mid Norfolk Railways- Preserved and Disused This is a dismantled, disused railway section but I wanted to show railways lost to the national network, but that have been saved and preserved but also dismantled lines that may be reborn. The lines in focus are the preserved Mid Norfolk line, running from Wymondham to Dereham, the current line north of Dereham that is being restored (to North Elmham) and trackbed to County School station. Then the trackbed North through Great Ryburgh to Fakenham east through to Walshingham and Wells next to the sea. History Wymondham to Fakenham East To start it all Wymondham is the first station on the Line, this is still in active use on the Norwich to Peterborough line. It was opened by the Norwich and Brandon railway on 30th July 1845. The "Mid Norfolk line" opened on 15th Febuary 1847 and was built by the Norfolk railway company, the line was at First single track but was doubled between Wymondham to Dereham (1882). In 1849 the Dereham to Fakenham section opened, The line was a major success with over 10000 tons of coal being transported in the first year. However the great capital required by the Norfolk railway company to build the line resulted in the Eastern Counties railway company leasing the line off them in1848. Finally in 1857 the Fakenham to Wells branch opened built by a separate Wells and Fakenham railway company. This was built in the hope of a developing port and tourist destination but never met the company’s hopes. The new Great Eastern railway company took over the line in 1862. The line reached its peak in the late 19th century, for example at Dereham station there where 90 staff. The line was heavily used in both world wars, this took a heavy toll and after WW1 (in 1923) the line, along with many other Norfolk lines were taken over by the London and North Eastern railway company (LNER). After WW2 the whole network apart from some private lines where nationalised in 1948, ending over 100 years of private ownership. From here the line started to decline as motor car usage grew. Eventually on the 17th September 1955 the last steam passenger service travelled on the line (steam freight continued). New diesel multiple units (DMU) where seen on the line. They reduced travelling times and cut running costs. This couldn’t save the passenger services so they ended between Dereham and Wells on the 15th October 1964 with track being lifted the same year, after that the line between Dereham and Wymondham was singled in June 1965. Finally the passenger services between Wymondham and Dereham ending in 1969. The line was used for freight until 1989, the first section to close was the Great Ryburgh to Fakenham part (1974), in 1981 the last freight train to Great Rybugh left, the year after the Great Ryburgh to North Elmham section closed and was lifted. After grain traffic stopped in 1989 the whole line closed. However preservation efforts where growing with a presence at County school in 1986. The line still couldn’t die, preservationists worked hard resulting in the first passenger services in 1996 then the whole line in 1999. The line Wymondham station- now on the national network and well used, the station buildings are now a railway themed resturant. The MNR line goes off the the right, behind the signal box are the remains of the turntable and servicing facilities. Crossing keepers hut at Wymondham At Wymondham abbey the preserved line has built a new station, called Wymondham abbey station. The line passes over the River Tiffey At Crownthorpe, (a great vantage point) the railway passes over a road bridge. Further on Kimberly station is reached, it is a now a private how but can is still used for joining or leaving trains. Further on is a few bridges that cross the line Hardingham station is now a private house, although it is publically used on the day of the Hardingham Fete. Its former goods yard is now used by a rollingstock dealer. The signal box is ex Snettisham Seen here from the front http://www.panoramio.com/photo/2895010, also a historic photo http://www.mnr.org.uk/photos/historical/ The next station along is Thuxton, this recently is about to go through some change with the restoration of a passing loop here and reinstatement of the signal box and second platform. Here the the signal box (East Winch) to be dismantled and put up at Thuxton. The line between Thuxton and Yaxham Yaxham station is still complete with its signal box, station buildings and goods shed, you can board the train at the station but all the rest is in private hands. The signal box is the only original on the line. Old photo here: http://www.mnr.org.uk/photos/historical/ On the way to Dereham is a road bridge, seen here Entering Dereham (or East Dereham) The line passes under the large dominating A47 passover, past the old Crossing keepers hut, then the sidings and into Dereham station. This is the HQ of the current Mid Norfolk railway. There are a couple of level crossings when entering Dereham. Dereham station is still rather complete, it has a complex history. A large station because it was not only on the Wymondham to Fakenham line but also the Kings Lynn to Dereham line (both GER). The Kings lynn railway met on a juntion just south of the station. On a triangle was a two road engine shed with turntable. The station was surrounded my maltings, most of which have been converted, demolished or semi derelict. It even had its own stables as Dereham handled alot of freight. The years of neglect is slowly be reversed with the reinstatement of watering facilites for steam engines, restoration of the Dereham central signal box and now the restoration of Dereham north box (ex Laundry lane, Lowestoft). The station itselve is a fine building, the building had been gutten by fire and it is now perfectly restored with cafe, shop and booking office. North of Dereham is line that is being restored, It had suffered years of neglect so drains had filled, sleepers rotted. As part of the MNR plans the line is being restored, with a new station at Hoe being built. (there was never a station here) The next station was North Elmham, the buildings survive however they have been altered with an extension upwards. County school station was the next station along, this had an island platform and signal box. This was because it was near the junction of the County school to Wroxham line. This line was opened in 1882 and closed in 1952. The trackbed is now part of Marriots way and the Bure valley railway's line from Wroxham to Aylsham. The station got its name from the Watts Naval school which was nearby. Unfortuantly this has now been demolished. At the present moment the station has been restored to LNER condition by the MNR who bought the station off the council for £1. It is isolated as the track from north elmham was taken up when the line closed. Although the line is to be restored after the section to Hoe is operational again. The signal box is ex Halesworth (GER, East Suffolk line) North of County School the trackbed is intact but is not owned my the MNR so is overgrown in parts. Great Ryburch station was demolished and now is blocking the way into Fakenham as a maltings was built on the site. The line passed through Fakenham East station, this town once had a GER station and the other a M&GN (more on that later) The station has been built apon but a gate post from the level crossing still exists. Also some of the line though the town is a walkway. North of Fakenham is the line to Wells next to the sea (next to the sea was added by the railway company to make it more attractive to tourists) The crossing keepers hut is now a house The trackbed is also in good condition with some parts having become a footpath (pilgrims way) Walshingham station is now a Russian Orthodox church, its platforms and goods shed still survive. Walshingham has always been a major stop for pilgrims due to the nearby Walshingham Abbey. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walsingham_railway_station The line north of Walshingham has been transformed into a new, 4 mile 10 1/4 inch scale narrow guage steam railway. Wighton was a small halt on the line http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wighton_Halt_railway_station Warham st Mary Halt The narrow guage line has been built just short of the original station site. This new station features ex Swainthorpe signal box The old station had a engine shed/goods shed, turntable, watering facilities. It was also the ending point of two other railway lines. Firstly the harbour branch, to serve wells harbour. Then the line to Kings lynn via Holkham and Hunstanton. This line closed due to damage in the 1953 floods. The station site is now an industrial estate on Great eastern way. Although some of the station buildinsg survive, as can be seen here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wells-On-Sea_railway_station A good source of Archive material about the line (mostly pictures) can been seen here. http://www.commanet.org/reflect.aspx?action=searchRequest&view=thumb&l ang=english&arcid=5029999900000064 |
Mon, 18 Apr 2011 20:38 John M |
Holly Bank and Hilton Main Colliery Railways The Holly Bank Colliery Company Limited was formed in 1891 taking over from the Essington Wood Colliery situated behind the Mitre Inn on Bursnips Road in Essington. A new shaft was sunk near Featherstone in 1920 to access reserves that were remote from the existing access. As further shafts were sunk Hilton Main took over production from Holly Bank and underground work at the mine ceased in the recession following the 'General Strike' in 1927. Hilton Main Colliery commenced production in 1924 with output of around 350000 tons. The pit remained in production until 1968 when local faulting of the 'Eight Foot' seam made extraction of the coal using modern mechanised face production uneconomic. Estimated reserves at the time were some 74 million tons. Output from the Essington Wood Colliery had been taken by tramway to the Wyrley and Essington Canal or Lord Hay's Branch of the canal. Being near the summit level the canal suffered from lack of water. In 1875 an alternative rail connection was built to the recently opened Walsall to Cannock Branch of the London & North West Railway. The use of canals was not abandoned completely and in 1906 a rail line was built to connect the Holly Bank site with a new wharf on the Wyrley & Essington Canal at Short Heath eliminating the need to navigate the locks. The final railway line to be built linked the new Hilton Main colliery with the sidings at Holly Bank. The line extends in a loop following the contours. The railway lines survived construction of the M6 in the late 1960s and closed in 1969 when the track was taken up. Some sections are walkable or are public footpaths. Notable features are Holly Bank Signal Box and the canal wharf at Short Heath. As a treat as a child I was taken to see the afternoon coal train from Hilton Main at the level crossing on Old Hampton Lane. Holly Bank Railway Short Heath Branch Hilton Main Colliery Branch |
Sat, 2 Feb 2013 21:48 John M |
Wolverhampton & Walsall Railway (Midland Railway) The line opened in 1872 linking Wolverhampton High Level via Wednesfield and Willenhall to Walsall. Trains were operated on the line by London and North Western who took over the line in 1876 passing it on to the Midland Railway the following year. Passenger services ceased in 1931 and through freight in 1965 when the route was severed by the M6 motorway. The route starts at Heath Town Junction which had its own station until 1910. The station was in Grove Lane. The railway crossed Deans Road and the Wyrley & Essington Canal. The next section through Wednesfield and Wednesfield Station has disappeared under Wednesfield Way (A4124) and the Bentley Bridge Retail Park. These 1978 pictures from Neachells Lane show the grim industrial nature of the area. The tracks were still in use to the Weldless Steel Tube factory. Passing the Corus (Tata Steel) stockholders the line croose the former Fibbersley Colliery now Nature Reserve to reach Noose Lane. The line enters north of the centre of Willenhall by the Memorial Park where the line is now used as a cycleway. Willenhall Stafford Street Station (formerly Market Place Station) Cemetery Road Bridge As it left the town the railway was on embankment. The bridge decks and abutments have been removed. The next station was at Short Heath adjacent to the bridge at Clarke's Lane. Beyond the M6 continuing on embankment the line crossed Bloxwich Lane. Bridges survive at the Birchills Canal, Bloxwich Road (North Walsall Station) and Mill Street. The line ended at Ryecroft Junction. |
Sun, 15 Mar 2015 12:52 bobharvey |
Here is one from the German site |
Tue, 27 Oct 2015 21:19 Chris Downer |
Sanday Light Railway Opened around 1999/2000, 'official opening' was in August 2006, closed by the end of that year. An extraordinary story, I took this picture of the railway lines to research later - and have spent the last hour reading about it, having uploaded it here. The proprietor's side of the story (to which I've linked) is very long but interesting - but it is not all as straightforward as he makes it sound. I have tried to word my description in a way that doesn't bash the council nor criticise the owner, but leave the reader to digest and come to his own conclusions. I hope I've gauged it about right. Miniature railway tracks run alongside the lane at Braeswick, a relic of the light railway which was set up in the garden of the house in the distance and came up to here. The railway was begun in 2000 and closed in 2006, only a few months after the 'official opening' (despite it having operated for 5 years at that point) by Sanday resident and Master of the Queen's Music, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies. An unexpected aspect of the hoo-ha is the civil partnership of Sir Peter and his partner, which he wanted to hold at the railway; the railway's owner was the island's registrar, but at the time only religious ceremonies, not civil ones, could be held without restriction at home in Scotland. Other factors seem to include a bitter disagreement with the Orkney Islands Council over the extent of liability insurance cover and problems with the associated tea-rooms following a storm. Within a couple of weeks of the disagreement, the owner had begun dismantling the setup. Internet research states that 'as at 2008' the owner was bringing legal action at European level over discrimination by the Council and other bodies, but I have not been able to find any results of such action. For a long account (from the proprietor's viewpoint) of the extraordinary story of the railway's demise, see Archive Link retrieved from the railway's then website. This does not seem to be a straightforward story, though, as some comments here Link show. See: HY6037 : Sanday Light Railway HY6037 : Sanday Light Railway by Chris Downer Linked images: |
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