DomHanzak
12-03-2012, 09:01 PM
This thing is huge, a great climb on a less busy day - we already had several unwanted spectators and a more than decent breeze, so further ascending the beast would of been unwise.
Haven't found a recent report (by this name) on the site, so if you're unfamiliar with what it is and why it's there here's a history lesson from Warrington-Worldwide.co.uk
'It stands as a monument to a forgotten industrial age - the Latchford Railway Viaduct over the Manchester Ship Canal.
This high level bridge formerly carried the Ditton Junction to Skelton Junction railway over the canal.
In fact, it was built in 1893 - a year before the canal was completed and carried a busy passenger service which calls at stations like Warrington Bank Quay, Latchford, Lymm, etc.
Passenger services ended in 1962 but the line continued as a good line until the 1980s, when as many as 60 trains were still using it.
The last train ran in 1985.
The railway track was still in place on the viaduct in 2005.
But the bridge is no longer considered safe and is sealed at both ends to keep trespassers off.
Much of the railway line is now used for the Trans Pennine Trail, footpath and bridle-path, but it has to deviate away from the railway line because of the unsafe bridge.
Should the line ever be reopened - which has been suggested from time to time - major repairs would be needed to the viaduct.'
It is indeed 'sealed at both ends to keep trespassers off.' but a risky quick shuffle round the edges soon disregards this, and you're treated to a seven storey high view of all of Warrington and more.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7038/6973560857_dd5189d6af_z.jpg
The bridge from below and a bit of cheeky dog walker action down in the left there! ;)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7181/6827442112_fbf27eba68_z.jpg
Sir Fence Erector didn't quite think this one through...
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7181/6827442664_93fca36319_z.jpg
One of the views, you can actually see Garnett's from here! (it's a fair way away and I don't even think it's on this shot, so don't go straining your eyes!) :thumb
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7193/6827443972_6693c9f3bf_z.jpg
Fence defeated.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7179/6827444908_5f5afa185b_z.jpg
Chillin' on the sidelines.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7043/6827909364_871009deca_z.jpg
Latchford Lochs.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7187/6974026563_9702861dcc_z.jpg
Overgrown.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7048/6974031887_6642f79198_z.jpg
Goldfish bowl with a view.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7183/6974032325_9171426773_z.jpg
One of the larger rusted-through holes... Feet tingling stuff!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7060/6827907276_d370252d44_z.jpg
The other side.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7190/6974028657_1b98a57654_z.jpg
The view from Latchford Locks concludes our little report. Thanks for your time and check out our blog in my signature. :D
Haven't found a recent report (by this name) on the site, so if you're unfamiliar with what it is and why it's there here's a history lesson from Warrington-Worldwide.co.uk
'It stands as a monument to a forgotten industrial age - the Latchford Railway Viaduct over the Manchester Ship Canal.
This high level bridge formerly carried the Ditton Junction to Skelton Junction railway over the canal.
In fact, it was built in 1893 - a year before the canal was completed and carried a busy passenger service which calls at stations like Warrington Bank Quay, Latchford, Lymm, etc.
Passenger services ended in 1962 but the line continued as a good line until the 1980s, when as many as 60 trains were still using it.
The last train ran in 1985.
The railway track was still in place on the viaduct in 2005.
But the bridge is no longer considered safe and is sealed at both ends to keep trespassers off.
Much of the railway line is now used for the Trans Pennine Trail, footpath and bridle-path, but it has to deviate away from the railway line because of the unsafe bridge.
Should the line ever be reopened - which has been suggested from time to time - major repairs would be needed to the viaduct.'
It is indeed 'sealed at both ends to keep trespassers off.' but a risky quick shuffle round the edges soon disregards this, and you're treated to a seven storey high view of all of Warrington and more.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7038/6973560857_dd5189d6af_z.jpg
The bridge from below and a bit of cheeky dog walker action down in the left there! ;)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7181/6827442112_fbf27eba68_z.jpg
Sir Fence Erector didn't quite think this one through...
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7181/6827442664_93fca36319_z.jpg
One of the views, you can actually see Garnett's from here! (it's a fair way away and I don't even think it's on this shot, so don't go straining your eyes!) :thumb
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7193/6827443972_6693c9f3bf_z.jpg
Fence defeated.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7179/6827444908_5f5afa185b_z.jpg
Chillin' on the sidelines.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7043/6827909364_871009deca_z.jpg
Latchford Lochs.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7187/6974026563_9702861dcc_z.jpg
Overgrown.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7048/6974031887_6642f79198_z.jpg
Goldfish bowl with a view.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7183/6974032325_9171426773_z.jpg
One of the larger rusted-through holes... Feet tingling stuff!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7060/6827907276_d370252d44_z.jpg
The other side.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7190/6974028657_1b98a57654_z.jpg
The view from Latchford Locks concludes our little report. Thanks for your time and check out our blog in my signature. :D