THE VIADUCTS AND TUNNELS OF THE WHITBY-LOFTUS LINE
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- čas přidán 10. 10. 2014
- by Michael Aufrere Williams.
The definitive article on the viaducts and tunnels may be found in the Journal of the Railway and Canal Historical Society, 218, November 2013, pp. 33-47.
I remember travelling from Loftus to Whitby by train as a child when we came up to Yorkshire for our holidays, staying with family in Liverton Mines near Loftus. I'm not sure which year the line closed but I was born in 1952 so would have been on it quite a few times. I just wish I could remember going over the viaducts, especially the one at Staithes. I mainly remember going along next to the beach at Sandsend. Thanks for posting these interesting pictures.
The viaduct at Staithes was the greatest problem on the line. If the wind got up then the viaduct was closed to all traffic, closing the line. There was a wind gauge on the bridge that rang a bell in Staithes signal box; if the bell rang the line closed to traffic.
The cost of maintaining the line far outstripped the revenue from all traffic along the line, which only every reached capacity during the summer months, was the reason the line was closed between Loftus and Whitby West Cliff in May 1957.
Grinkle was originally called Easington, but was renamed to prevent confusion with Easington in County Durham.
The line was lifted all the way back to BS Skinningrove once the line to Loftus was closed in 1964, only for the tracks to be relaid in the early 1970s for the potash mine at Boulby. This required the replacement of the bridge over the A174; the original bridge was demolished to allow the road to becre-aligned (the original road becoming a lay-by).
The A174 bridge is a large concrete fly over compared to the original stone arch and large embankment that previously carried the railway over the road,travelled under many times when we holidayed at loftus a few years back.
Mike, thanks for this very sad but lovely piece of film. The harp music goes so well. I guess you have a great affection for this lost railway, destroyed by an uncaring Tory Government. I also love your ‘nothing takes the place of you’ on Deserted Railway. I’d like to know more about you. I believe you are based in Devon. You are very talented. See Geoff and Chris b channel.
Very enjoyable.. thank you.
Such a sad sight when I see the history of this line. I’ve been to Staithes and Sandsend
Brilliant upload, thank you!
Just imagine travelling these lines now on electric tram car type units. Shame on the corrupt Marples and his short sighted government, shame on Beeching the hatchet man, all just vandals.
VERY SAD - i'd have loved to ride this line to my cottage at Staithes
Considering the increasing interest in electrified public transit instead of fossil-fueled cars, it is a shame to let any of these structures go. They may be needed again!
Now just how would they have know this? This line closed 60 years ago!
31.12.22.. The South Portal of Sandsend is totally sealed now, no way of entry. Only way in is via a climb on the North Portal of Kettlenes Tunnel. Both are showing extreme signs of collapse, internal walls are seriously buldging. Not to be entered.
I used to play among the ruins of Sandsend and Lealholm viaducts and have walked the length of Kettlness tunnel. But only in 2020 do I learn there was a Staithes viaduct.
So sad that this line had to be closed and the viaducts removed. It may have been justified, maybe not. I wish I could go back in time and travel on this line in the days of steam.
I travelled on this line many times when I was a child. I can remember tiny lights out at sea on the crab and lobster boats. And crossing East Row Viaduct with the sea rolling in beneath the train.
All lost and gone how true and how sad
Would have been a marvellous asset today. Usual British shortsightedness, just like urban tramways!
The musical accompaniment is delightful, does the piece have a title?
I'm curious about this too. Would love to know the source of the harp music used in this video, as well as that used in another video on this channel, 'A RAILWAY JOURNEY FROM GUISBOROUGH TO WHITBY (TOWN)'. Closest thing I've got in my collection is the music of the Celtic harper Turlough O'Carolan.
The harp music in this song can be viewed here: czcams.com/video/Mw4ln5PLG8w/video.html
Now it is government policy to reopen old lines where possible, they want rid of cars and lorries.
lol they really want rid of people!
Where is deepgrove tunnel? Can't find anything on it.
Deepgrove is an alternative name to Sandsend tunnel. This is because it lies within one hundred yards of the area known as Deepgrove and is just above Deepgrove Wyke (nautical).
And nothing showing the magnificent Loftus Viaduct, Why?
Because it was between Loftus and Skinningrove stations and therefore not a part of the Whitby-Loftus line.
@@onthegoldenline I disagree completely. The viaduct is between Loftus and Whitby stations and thus deserved a place on the video.
The wasted man power..........
ikr - I don't like the tumbled down stone walls on the hill farms even. Someone worked hard, damn hard at building those, out all weather. It's a resqect for our forbears thing I guess.
To those saying 'why did they close the line', 'it was a mistake they should reopen them', 'the lines were beautiful', 'Beeching should hang', and other remarks.
1) The line was closed because it was unprofitable. Buses and private cars were far better modes of transport. There was also the Esk Valley inland line for Whitby-Boro trains, which didnt close down on the slightest fresh breeze at Staithes.
2) Beeching had nothing to do with this. He did however close the other half of this line, Whitby to Scarborough, and left many towns with no rail station while keeping all 3 of the stations in his hometown of Maidstone. So yes, he should hang, but not for this line.
3) Rail is outdated and obsolete for the vast majority of journeys. Due to modern towns and cities expanding considerably since the 1800's, quite simply for most people the journey from the home to the rail station would be longer than the actual train journey. Compare the motor car or bike, where the journey from the home to the vehicle is measured in seconds. Any speed advantage trains have is obliterated by the simple fact. Rail has 2 uses nowadays - firstly one off journeys from one city to another (holidays), secondly designated commuter services with infrastructure specially built to adhere to rail - in particular the commuter belts around London. HS2 goes in this category too, it is designed to move workers from Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester etc. to London. So unless you work in London or are going on holiday/to visit distant relatives, rail is pretty much irrelevant.
4) The abandoned lines and the scenery around them is beautiful, true, but when the lines were running the story was different. Trains in full time operation were dirty, smelly, ugly, and noisy. Railway stations were dirty, smelly, ugly and noisy. People who worked on steam locomotives tended to be constantly covered head to toe in soot, and usually died young.
Much as I love trains and hate cars, you make very good points!
Plenty of steam drivers reached a ripe old age. Working on boilers in workshops was hazardous due to asbestos lagging.
@@barrydrocknrail2231 Yes some did, but the old adage about soldiers also is true of steamers - 'beware the old man in a profession most people die young'
Wow such sweeping statements about rolling stock etc. You drive by Rolls Royce or some other ilk? Excuse me but where’s the social need in all of this? Oh and by the way just skip over the all powerfull Road lobby, the Road hauliers association, crooks of conflict Marples snd his puppet. Im 62 and remember these smelly dirty things that are now so popular for tourism in this country it would cover your condescension many times over. Now do us all a favour and go back to sleep
Should this line have been closed...of course not. But you will always find the diehards who still claim this closure was necessary. Only in time do you realise this cost cutting exercise,as with many other route around the UK, have seen many beautiful railway routes gone forever.Perhaps one day,when the love affair with the motor car fades,perhaps then people will once again demand for the return of these lines that have been taken from us?
bollocks
Bollocks to you, fucking knob.
soundnicetome the line was only ever used to capacity during summer Saturdays. The rest of the time the line was a drain on the railway finances. The closure saved BR about £11,000 in operating costs per annum and maintenance costs of about £60,000 on the viaducts and tunnels on the route.