The Railway Swallowed by the Quarries
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- čas přidán 7. 09. 2024
- Welcome back to the Cromford and High Peak Railway. We're now well and truly off the beaten track. After leaving you last time at Dowlow, we saw the massive quarrying opertions stretching into the horizon. Our new 1890s LNWR alignment is kept alive by the quarries, still served by rail freight.
However, the original 1832 alignment of the C&HPR was not so lucky. We pick up near Hindlow quarry where the original line deviates again along the contour. Straight away we come across an interesting feature of a triangle. Long disused, even on the oldest maps available. Was this a turning triange or just a siding? Either way, plenty to see and we even find some of the original limestone sleepers with spike holes from the old fish belly rails.
From here the railway twists and turns, but large sections have been swallowed by the quarries. Near the original Hindlow station, there is evidence of where the line crossed the road, an old railway embankment lined with the dry stone wall, before it once again plunges into Hillhead quarry. Hillhead quarry has recently obtained a new siding, however off the other line.
In the corner of Hillhead quarry are the remains of one corner of the trackbed nestled away with remains of a stone arch bridge.
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On this series we'll be following the disused railway line the 33 miles from Cromford in the Derbyshire Dales over to Whalley Bridge in the High Peak. In the first part we look at the section of the railway that was extended to meet with the main railway line.
During the conception of the Cromford and High Peak Railway, canals were in fashion and railways hadn’t really taken off yet. The line exists as there was a desire to connect the Peak Forest canal (Manchester's industry in the West) to the Cromford Canal and the various industry in the East Midlands. A canal was considered but the number of locks to cross the peak district would be enormous.
So instead, a tramroad, or tramway was decided to be the way forward. Horse drawn with rope inclines at several locations to pull the wagons up the steep gradients.
An extremely ambitious venture at the time coming only a handful of years after the Stockton and Darlington railway. This makes it one of the world oldest railways. The 33 mile long line opened at the turn of the 1830s connecting the two canals and shortly after the horses were replaced with steam engines. The inclines were powered by static steam engines that we will see in later episodes.
We’ll see as we progress down the line, various challenges that ultimately led to the line's closure. Apart from a few quarry lines, the railway closed in stages up to 1967.
These days a large portion of the line is accessible as the High Peak Trail.
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The triangle was used to turn wagons that had doors on one side only and had to be the correct way round when reaching their loading or unloading places.
Great stuff. Cheers for confirming.
Fab part 11! That tunnel 200 years old amazing Paul. If you know where to look you find what you are looking for! 😊❤👍
Thanks Carol. Big thumbs up to Phil. I've got to give credit to Phil for that one 😄
@@WobblyRunner oh yes sorry! Thanks to Phil. 😊😁♥️
From other published info. The early trucks had an end door so it was necessary to turn the truck,or the whole train ,so that the end door was uphill on the inclines to prevent the load sliding out. That was the reason for the triangle. 17:13
A great video again good documentry and history hope you dont run out Paul really enjoy these videos.
Thanks Chris. Im going to be so sad when this series eventually finishes and I run out of miles :(
Another fascinating film about a line I know(knew) nothing about. Amazing that so much can be seen, if you know what to look for. I know we need stone, but the quarry scars on that landscape are immense.
You're right. They are huge. Maps dont do them justice, when you get up close and see the depth they've gone down too.
Welcome to the Real world. Glad to see you back again. Don't worry about the trolls they are brown bread.Certainly some different scenery. Pennines can be wild.I expect Claire is happy for you. ❤regards to her. TOODLES
Great video Paul. I knew it followed contours like a canal but didn't realise it was so twisty
That tunnel on the current line is mad, I thought Whitwell was weird with the quarry but that one is absolutely bizarre. Imagine that on a model
Cheers Russ.
I thought Whitwell tunnel too when I first saw the drone shot. It amazes me how it doesnt impact the integrity of the tunnel.
You ever driven this section?
@@WobblyRunner I've never really worked in North West other than Cumbria, you'd think tunnel structure would take a pasting due to shocks from explosives in the quarry
You're a lot more tenacious than I am!
I particularly enjoyed this one as I got as far as the quarry and turned back, defeated (as I think I commented in your previous CHPR vid). I'll have to watch again with my map open to get my bearings properly.
Thanks again for uploading these. 🙏👍
Cheers Nick, It's a pleasure. Glad you're enjoying them.
Just watched eps11&12 with my Explorer map. Found the turning triangle, put two fingers on it and spread them to zoom! 😂🙄
Thqt bridge youre talking about was probably a culvert or cattle creep
👍❤
Laughable sub titles spoil the show.
Subtitles?
@@WobblyRunner Sorry but the comment was for another vid I was watching. Failed to exit your vid.
@@briancooper562 Cheers Brian :) Phew. I do know the youtube generated subtitles struggles with my northern dialect sometimes.