This was the line that inspired my own interest in railways. I had a grandstand view of the old Cheadle North station from the back of my grandparents house. I can't really remember passenger traffic on the line as Cheadle closed to passengers when I was only 1yr old. Happy the iconic CLC buildings survived as private residences. Now the old station building is the Cheshire Lines Tavern. For me the line was always a busy and exciting freight only route with huge variety of traffic and motive power. I'm glad to see that it continues to be an important freight route today.
An old friend of mine, Lewis Jackson had a market garden right by the goods yard at Baguley Station. He told me he had seaweed delivered by train directly from Southport to put on his crops! Those were the days!!
Brought back lots of childhood memories. I was born in Baguley. The actual station was a couple of miles away. I recall that when we were around the station , and we heard a train coming,we would run to the bridge and wait for the steam train to pass under the bridge, then shower ourselves in the smoke of the train. Usually we ended up with white eyeball sockets. Also recall once we caught a train to Blackpool from there. Then a few years later, the steam trains vanished and the diesel trains appeared. It was never the same after that. I still can visualise the lay out. Coal Yard and signal box. Great memories. Thanks for making the video.
Nice video Richard. I did my trainspotting at Northenden station just up the line from Baguley in the 1950s which too has gone except for the tall signal box which I hope will be saved as a listed building etc. Still trainspotting at 78!
Thanks for the posting Richard. I was a fully paid member of the 1960's, Baguley trainspotting mafia, spending any spare time possible around the station environs. Sometimes being chased off by the reported grumpy station porter or whatever his designation was. Time spent in Baguley signal-box, sustained a railway interest in signalling once the beloved steam trains had 'passed away'. From Brooks Drive bridge in the opposite direction to the station view was a short 1 in 75 climb from Skelton Junction, which usually meant a noisy, smoke accompanied run through the station. Not withstanding the numerous Saturday excursions traffic an almost daily pilgrimage was made to watch and listen to the 6pm local headed for Stockport, invariably hauled by a 2-6-4 tank loco, which against the grade exploded out of the station in brilliant spectacle. As sad as it may be Ian, we luckily still have those evocative memories, in which Baguley, with it's endless steam hauled freight trains, lives on and what memories they are!
@@clivebaines8605 Hi Clive, I was there spotting from around 1962 until the last day in 1968. Invariably on Shady Lane bridge adjacent to the signal box, to which many visits took place. Mike Fletcher and 'Irish John' being two of the obliging signallers. The Up line was a doddle to operate as the Distant and Section signal with associate I.B. signal were electrically operated. The Down line not so, with Lever 1 (Down outer home and I.B Distant) Lever 3 ( Down Main Distant) and Lever 5 ( Down Section signal and associated Banner Repeater) well beyond the capabilities of my strength. Lever 4 The Down Main Home ( With Skelton Jctns Outer Distant on the same post) was favourite - as it was the only Down Line signal I could pull. Always busy, Halcion days long ago, but not forgotten.
@@updistant Cheers Rob, surely a reunion to discuss those times would be a great pleasure to anyone interested and though I'm now living in L & Y territory (Westhoughton) I'm able to meet anywhere. I admire your technical interest whilst I regret being too busy "gricing" numbers. Does anyone remember a certain Pete Trushell, he worked at Hunts Bank (Mcr Vic) and knew everything that was to occur at Skelton Jnc. !!!
@@clivebaines8605 Hi Clive, yes knew Pete Trushall, albeit more a passing acquaintance, as he was older than me and the Baguley mafia. In 1964 I was 11 and P.T. was I reckon early /mid twenties. He was a mate of the aforementioned Mike Fletcher and would visit Baguley Box on Saturdays, when the excursion traffic abounded. P.T had the nickname 'Hammy' though for reasons not apparent to me. As you've indicated he also frequented the Skelton Junction environs, particularly the 'Black Bridge' (which was actually concrete white!) that spanned the sidings and CLC branch to Altrincham. As I recall he was usually attired in one of those grey 1960's long gaberdines, but hey memories are being put to the test here. Happy to converse, maybe group e-mail or whatever to exchange memories of those happy times and if a meeting is worthwhile, why not. As an aside I live less than half a mile from the old 'Baggers' station and can still here the Class 66 and 60's passing through the latter type on the daily ICI Hoppers ( in the 1960's eight of these trains ran daily!) Oh for the sound of an 8F doing the task, Northwich allocated 48717 being a particular favourite! Chat whenever and best regards.
Truly great, met Ian in 1955 when we were 9yrs old. Those were our 'apprenticeship' days prior to travelling UK wide, by bike, bus, train to many, many railway locations, when limited earnings allowed.
Nice work Richard. I signed the route when I was at Northern and had identified the site of the station. Did you notice the woodwork on the signal box? I can relate to Ian’s frustration but the truth is, they were never going to keep those stations open unless the proved profitable. Give him my regards if you speak to him.
Nice one Richard. I was born in Urmston and spent a lot of train spotting in the area until I got a job at Timperley station in 1973. We got access to Skeleton junction signal box because we worked on the railway and spent many hours watching the numerous freight trains trundling by. Unfortunately no steam. The signalman used to sneak into the Moss trooper pub leaving my friend a train guard and me looking after the train movements 😮Could you imagine that happening today 🤔
Thanks again Richard for a very interesting video. It's was nice to include the Ian with first-hand knowledge of the station and his photo collection represents a bit of local history. I am very familiar with the area but I was totally unaware of the existence of Baguley Station.
We lived on Aimson road from 1958 to 1966 so I remember Baguley station very well having spent many hours there and at Skelton Junction. On winters evenings we could watch the bright orange glow from the fire box of loco heading for Skelton junction and up the bank to Lymm or Cadishead from our bedroom window. The ICI limestone trains pulled by 8F's.
I’ve driven trains over that line for the last 25yrs to Chester, when that route came to my Depot , I’ve often though it’s a waste not to have stations for northernden , Cheadle , or Baguley . But there has been campaigns to try and open them , blocked by metrolink !!! Claiming they have a station on the metrolink , but I believe a station at cheadle is actually Going to happen and agreed
@@richardainsworth4421 I lived in the area round Baguley and Northenden 60-odd years ago and I can't see there being much chance of the reopened stations being able to attract much custom on a stretch of track that links Stockport and Chester/North Wales via Altrincham. There were once links to Liverpool and Warrington but those were closed for good many years ago. What's left of the bus network is still probably a more-practical way of getting around than waiting for an infrequent trsin that only calls at an out-of-the-way station.
This was the line that inspired my own interest in railways. I had a grandstand view of the old Cheadle North station from the back of my grandparents house. I can't really remember passenger traffic on the line as Cheadle closed to passengers when I was only 1yr old. Happy the iconic CLC buildings survived as private residences. Now the old station building is the Cheshire Lines Tavern. For me the line was always a busy and exciting freight only route with huge variety of traffic and motive power. I'm glad to see that it continues to be an important freight route today.
Thanks for the video. Brought back fond memories Baguley Station in the 1950's
Glad you enjoyed it
An old friend of mine, Lewis Jackson had a market garden right by the goods yard at Baguley Station. He told me he had seaweed delivered by train directly from Southport to put on his crops! Those were the days!!
Brought back lots of childhood memories. I was born in Baguley. The actual station was a couple of miles away. I recall that when we were around the station , and we heard a train coming,we would run to the bridge and wait for the steam train to pass under the bridge, then shower ourselves in the smoke of the train. Usually we ended up with white eyeball sockets. Also recall once we caught a train to Blackpool from there. Then a few years later, the steam trains vanished and the diesel trains appeared. It was never the same after that. I still can visualise the lay out. Coal Yard and signal box. Great memories. Thanks for making the video.
Thank you for your memories as this just adds to the story and thank you for your kind comments.
Nice video Richard. I did my trainspotting at Northenden station just up the line from Baguley in the 1950s which too has gone except for the tall signal box which I hope will be saved as a listed building etc. Still trainspotting at 78!
Ian want to do a story about the Northenden signal box so watch this space and thanks for your comments.
Thanks for the posting Richard. I was a fully paid member of the 1960's, Baguley trainspotting mafia, spending any spare time possible around the station environs. Sometimes being chased off by the reported grumpy station porter or whatever his designation was. Time spent in Baguley signal-box, sustained a railway interest in signalling once the beloved steam trains had 'passed away'. From Brooks Drive bridge in the opposite direction to the station view was a short 1 in 75 climb from Skelton Junction, which usually meant a noisy, smoke accompanied run through the station. Not withstanding the numerous Saturday excursions traffic an almost daily pilgrimage was made to watch and listen to the 6pm local headed for Stockport, invariably hauled by a 2-6-4 tank loco, which against the grade exploded out of the station in brilliant spectacle. As sad as it may be Ian, we luckily still have those evocative memories, in which Baguley, with it's endless steam hauled freight trains, lives on and what memories they are!
Wish I could remember.you Rob !!
@@clivebaines8605 Hi Clive, I was there spotting from around 1962 until the last day in 1968. Invariably on Shady Lane bridge adjacent to the signal box, to which many visits took place. Mike Fletcher and 'Irish John' being two of the obliging signallers. The Up line was a doddle to operate as the Distant and Section signal with associate I.B. signal were electrically operated. The Down line not so, with Lever 1 (Down outer home and I.B Distant) Lever 3 ( Down Main Distant) and Lever 5 ( Down Section signal and associated Banner Repeater) well beyond the capabilities of my strength. Lever 4 The Down Main Home ( With Skelton Jctns Outer Distant on the same post) was favourite - as it was the only Down Line signal I could pull. Always busy, Halcion days long ago, but not forgotten.
@@updistant
Cheers Rob, surely a reunion to discuss those times would be a great pleasure to anyone interested and though I'm now living in L & Y territory (Westhoughton) I'm able to meet anywhere.
I admire your technical interest whilst I regret being too busy "gricing" numbers.
Does anyone remember a certain Pete Trushell, he worked at Hunts Bank (Mcr Vic) and knew everything that was to occur at Skelton Jnc. !!!
@@clivebaines8605 Hi Clive, yes knew Pete Trushall, albeit more a passing acquaintance, as he was older than me and the Baguley mafia. In 1964 I was 11 and P.T. was I reckon early /mid twenties. He was a mate of the aforementioned Mike Fletcher and would visit Baguley Box on Saturdays, when the excursion traffic abounded. P.T had the nickname 'Hammy' though for reasons not apparent to me. As you've indicated he also frequented the Skelton Junction environs, particularly the 'Black Bridge' (which was actually concrete white!) that spanned the sidings and CLC branch to Altrincham. As I recall he was usually attired in one of those grey 1960's long gaberdines, but hey memories are being put to the test here. Happy to converse, maybe group e-mail or whatever to exchange memories of those happy times and if a meeting is worthwhile, why not. As an aside I live less than half a mile from the old 'Baggers' station and can still here the Class 66 and 60's passing through the latter type on the daily ICI Hoppers ( in the 1960's eight of these trains ran daily!) Oh for the sound of an 8F doing the task, Northwich allocated 48717 being a particular favourite! Chat whenever and best regards.
Really good input Rob and thanks for your comments.
Truly great, met Ian in 1955 when we were 9yrs old. Those were our 'apprenticeship' days prior to travelling UK wide, by bike, bus, train to many, many railway locations, when limited earnings allowed.
Thank you Clive for your comments
Nice work Richard. I signed the route when I was at Northern and had identified the site of the station. Did you notice the woodwork on the signal box? I can relate to Ian’s frustration but the truth is, they were never going to keep those stations open unless the proved profitable. Give him my regards if you speak to him.
Thank you Don for your kind comments, I will pass this on to Ian.
Nice one Richard. I was born in Urmston and spent a lot of train spotting in the area until I got a job at Timperley station in 1973. We got access to Skeleton junction signal box because we worked on the railway and spent many hours watching the numerous freight trains trundling by. Unfortunately no steam. The signalman used to sneak into the Moss trooper pub leaving my friend a train guard and me looking after the train movements 😮Could you imagine that happening today 🤔
Thanks for sharing your memories and yes you would not get away with that today.
Thanks again Richard for a very interesting video. It's was nice to include the Ian with first-hand knowledge of the station and his photo collection represents a bit of local history. I am very familiar with the area but I was totally unaware of the existence of Baguley Station.
Thank you Steven for your kind comments, I have 3 more at editing and more to come. I believe that personal stories make a better video.
Great stuff!
Thanks!
Hey Wicked Acorn!
We lived on Aimson road from 1958 to 1966 so I remember Baguley station very well having spent many hours there and at Skelton Junction. On winters evenings we could watch the bright orange glow from the fire box of loco heading for Skelton junction and up the bank to Lymm or Cadishead from our bedroom window. The ICI limestone trains pulled by 8F's.
I’ve driven trains over that line for the last 25yrs to Chester, when that route came to my Depot , I’ve often though it’s a waste not to have stations for northernden , Cheadle , or Baguley . But there has been campaigns to try and open them , blocked by metrolink !!! Claiming they have a station on the metrolink , but I believe a station at cheadle is actually
Going to happen and agreed
Good reply Christopher, I hope they do open it but it would be nice to have all three but that would be wishful thinking.
@@richardainsworth4421 I lived in the area round Baguley and Northenden 60-odd years ago and I can't see there being much chance of the reopened stations being able to attract much custom on a stretch of track that links Stockport and Chester/North Wales via Altrincham. There were once links to Liverpool and Warrington but those were closed for good many years ago. What's left of the bus network is still probably a more-practical way of getting around than waiting for an infrequent trsin that only calls at an out-of-the-way station.
Interesting.
Stupidly left that area of Manchester out in the wilds.
Bhudau
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