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View Full Version : Heckmondwike Spen railway cutting November 08



boxfrenzy
08-11-2008, 11:10 PM
Hecknmondwike Spen Station, originally opened on the 1st of October, 1900. It was a small wooden building on a stone flagged platform. The line wasn't really a success, and on the 5th of September 1953, the last passengers disembarked. The line continued until the late 1980's as a single track line for goods only. 1995 saw the track being lifted and finally, last year, the last of the platform disappeared with the building of a new housing estate.
The station, in 1905. No trace remains today.
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii273/thedownings10/Heckmondwike%20Railway%20Bridges/heckmondwike_old.jpg

However remaining are the nine bridges, all within a mile of the station.
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii273/thedownings10/Heckmondwike%20Railway%20Bridges/Picture021.jpg

With the exception of one, they are all arched.
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii273/thedownings10/Heckmondwike%20Railway%20Bridges/Picture038.jpg

The railway, as it travelled through the old part of town needed lots of land. They were made to rehouse anyone within a mile of their original house if it was demolished.
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii273/thedownings10/Heckmondwike%20Railway%20Bridges/Picture049.jpg

There is a 50 yard tunnel here. Today remains of a fire are burning inside. 70 years ago smoke and steam would be a regular sight for the local residents as steam trains rumbled through this cutting.
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii273/thedownings10/Heckmondwike%20Railway%20Bridges/Picture024.jpg

A water or sewer pipe in the roof of one of the bridges
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii273/thedownings10/Heckmondwike%20Railway%20Bridges/Picture033.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii273/thedownings10/Heckmondwike%20Railway%20Bridges/Picture034.jpg

It's nearly impossible to see any other remnants of this line. However, at the base of one of the bridges is this faded paint work.
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii273/thedownings10/Heckmondwike%20Railway%20Bridges/Picture056.jpg

I love the sweep of the disused railway. You can never see more than four bridges at a time.
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii273/thedownings10/Heckmondwike%20Railway%20Bridges/Picture039.jpg

Today the cutting lies forgotten, except to kids and flytippers. There is a cycle path at one end of it. Perhaps there are plans to join that to the new housing estate? Who knows?
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii273/thedownings10/Heckmondwike%20Railway%20Bridges/Picture047.jpg