PDA

View Full Version : Archived: The Wortley Curve, Leeds, October 2010



boxfrenzy
05-11-2010, 01:10 PM
Lost in a cutting in east Leeds is the remains of the Wortley curve.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/5148376762_ceacced046.jpg

Abandoned in 1985, the track, signals and sleepers all remain in place. There were plans to bring the link back into use a while ago, yet things look to be changing. This is a picture I took with my camera of a signal. It is in some trees.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1212/5147772863_d5b234f78f.jpg

Originally the line provided a direct link between Bradford and London. Today silver birch trees grow between the sleepers and brambles crawl across the tracks.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/5148376622_6313a1a849.jpg

It was clear that some of the track had gone. British Rail in the past? Network Rail? Leeds city council?
None of the above. The car jack gave a clue into what had happened. Oh dear.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/5147772799_2602861c17.jpg

Late afternoon sunlight slanted through the trees, and in the distance the clank and hiss of a Leeds bound train rattled across the tracks in the distance. Here, all was quiet.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/5148376564_f74870f8b5.jpg