2.7K UHD- Captioned! Piccadilly to Hadfield round trip

A round trip from Manchester Piccadilly to Hadfield and Glossop on a Northern Class 323 EMU. It was a crisp clear winter day and we had a good run. See the viaducts and the Derbyshire countryside. There are a few little instances of colour issues which are a characteristic of the GoPro camera used - it doesn’t detract from the viewing. With captions, cameos and comments.

[@simonfitch1120]

I dread the day either you can't be bothered to do this any more, or your employer tells you to stop. These videos are great, and I thank you!

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks Simon. I welcome comments but sometimes I get proper curt complaints about things like scrolling text and that makes me feel like chucking it in but then so many people have asked for them and express compliments that I put up with it. I haven’t got a production team and professional editing equipment - its as posh an amateur job as I can manage and for you guys - its free! For now you're safe and again I really do appreciate the kind words. Now, as for the permissions, I’m lucky to be in contact with people that realise the importance of social media and allow me to film and share this stuff.

[@jensham1945]

@@doncoffey5820 Keep it up. i am fortunate to be at an age( with a Greater Manchester Pensioner travel pass) to explore the lines you are filming and enjoy following in your footsteps. Thanks

[@angels731]

Well, I enjoy the scrolling text. Makes it more than just a video. The history of the local areas and missing track makes viewing interesting, also that knowledge will be lost otherwise.

[@Bivolari]

@@doncoffey5820 Thank you for these videos. As a New Yorker, we have the subways. One of my first loves. Ir is fascinating to follow the British Rail System, thanks to people like you. The scrolling helps me understand the very different signaling system and most of all, where I am. Please continue these videos for as long as you are able. There can never be too much information and scrolling.

[@brucewilliams8714]

@@doncoffey5820 Your captions are to me the equivalent of chatting with you in the cab.

[@squaddingquads]

Man unused this line daily for many years, I can still smell the rolling stock, thank you

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad it brought back memories. They had a unique smell and the fences and sleeper smelled of creosote.

[@T555PLH]

Don, Like all before me I thoroughly enjoy your films - visually & historically. Thank you for presenting in real time without annoying commentaries & music. Your presentation is a model that other transport film makers would do well to emulate. Long may you continue & Thank you for sharing your world with us.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks. I may run out of opportunities one day but there is quite a bit to go at yet so keep watching!

[@ASPERKID22]

Maaannn so many memories on this trip. I live in Hyde so I take this trip regularly and the viaducts are iconic. Glossop is beautiful and Manchester is majestic. Even if trains are striking at least we have these beautiful videos to watch at home. Thanks Don!

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks for the positive feedback - much appreciated.

[@frankdavis696]

If medals were awarded like the Olympics, I would award you gold every time. The video quality and the text annotations are so helpful to the overall enjoyment. I guess that you are slowly covering all the routes that you drive but what are we to do when you’ve covered them all? You do realise of course that nothing short of resigning and getting yourself employed by another TOC away from Manchester will suffice! lol. You contribute greatly to this 84 year old guys’ enjoyment for which I thank you sincerely.

[@doncoffey5820]

It’s comments like that Frank that encourage me to plod on with them because it is quite a lot of work getting them then editing them not to mention the cost of equipment which is significant. If you get some pleasure out of it at your grand age then it makes it worthwhile. I had a similar comment recently from a chap who was ex traincrew but could no longer get out. It pleases me no end.

[@Thursdaym2]

Memories...Been away now for nearly 40 years. This brought back memories of connections of one sort or another with nearly every place on the route plus the branch from Hyde North through Romiley where I lived. Won't bore with details except as train spotting kids, we used to cycle to Hyde North on a Sunday to see the Harwich Boat train pass on route from London Road station. Thanks Don keep up your excellent videos.

[@doncoffey5820]

I remember the Harwich Boat Train coming through New Mills when I was a kid. It often had a 37 on which was rare round our way.

[@gustava3266]

Another fantastic video Don, thank you for uploading

[@Zulnex]

Splendid video as always. Thanks for sharing.

[@bobmather3615]

Once again Don, thanks for a great day out.

[@rwm2986]

Well worth the wait for another excellent travelogue, thanks Don.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks.

[@theBusManiac]

Definitely the best cab rides on YT these. Also the BBC news style scrolling text is excellent! For someone like me who has hearing problems they are perfect, so many try and speak this over all the cab noise and I can’t make it out! Love the info of the area and history of the line in so much detail. Never mind thanks for watching, thanks for uploading!

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks James, much appreciated.

[@josephkarl2061]

The area around Glossop looks very picturesque, especially in the conditions. Many thanks as always for an excellent hour of driving trains.

[@DavidPeacock1972]

It's been at least 20 years since I last traveled on this line. Back when the class 304 was the mainstay of this line. I can honestly say, both Glossop and Hadfield have not changed a bit. It's like it's just been frozen in time.

[@martinmarsola6477]

An enjoyable trip. Beautiful scenery and a comfortable ride. Thanks for the video, Don. Cheers mate! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🙂👍🇺🇸

[@doncoffey5820]

Cheers Martin.

[@Starman2319]

Fantastic vid as ever, Don. What a cracking day, too.

[@soundseeker63]

Delightful. If anything the winter scene is as advantage as it allows better views through the trees. A lovely scenic route that I have been meaning to travel on for some time! I can just imagine the old class 76s and rakes of coal wagons rattling along here many moons ago! It is indeed a shame the line through to Sheffield was closed, as I'm sure anyone who uses Trans Pennine Express services on the other lines regularly will attest! Overcrowding is the norm now.

[@doncoffey5820]

Many of the old lines have gone that wouldn’t be allowed now. However, on the bright side, when we get all our new trains in service, the 185s will run as 6 car sets on the Hope Valley and Hull lines.

[@MrAuriga67]

Thanks for another great, informative video Don. They really are a pleasure to watch.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks.

[@rogerbarton497]

Great video, I especially like the captions, both the technical ones and those showing points of interest. This video brought back a couple of memories, one from the late 1950s when I hiked with the Scouts in the middle of winter from Hayfield to Edale. The snow was knee deep and I remember freezing on Edale station waiting for the train home. The other memory some 25 years later when I drove regularly between Sheffield and Manchester over the A57 (Snake Pass) and under the viaduct at Dinting. I recall signs to the Dinting Railway Centre but never got round to visiting it.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks Roger. Yes, I was born and bred in New Mills so also very familiar with those areas. I was a mechanic at Crabtree's for many years and that got me all over the area recovering errant trucks. I remember those snow drifts well!

[@stevebettoni1559]

Oh right, thanks for the update Dan. Love your videos btw.

[@thatlonewolfguy2878]

Oh my god I remember Glossop, went there with family as we were having like a big family holiday not far from there with my mums side of the family, beautiful little station and town

[@johnhardman3]

Glossop Station is now a one-platform affair, with most of the station-building converted into a supermarket.

[@TheNorfolkThunderbolt]

Thankyou for another entertaining and educational film!

[@doncoffey5820]

Cheers Steven.

[@frankh2811]

I travelled this line every day for a few years in the late 60s,I now live in Tasmania, thanks for the memories.

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad it brought back memories Frank. You’d be surprised how many people from around the world say that.

[@stewartross1233]

It's funny, when I travel by train I just want to get to my destination as fast as possible but find watching this surprisingly very therapeutic. Great to have a high quality video with no wobbly camera work or intrusive music. I love the scrolling text, scrolls at just the right speed with just the correct amount of information to keep the viewer informed of what's going on. Thank you for bringing it to me, much appreciated.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks Stewart, I appreciate that. Not everybody agrees with the scrolling text but the majority do so it will stay for now. The software I have for editing doesn’t really have anything better anyway.

[@PublicTransportVideo]

Thanks for the video and the captions. 😀😀

[@toms6117]

Cracking video as always Don, I tend to put one of your videos on in the background while sat at my modelling bench, but I find myself constantly distracted by your extremely interesting and comprehensive notes and captions, which do add a great deal of interest to your videos! Please, do keep producing them!

[@doncoffey5820]

Still some more to come Tom. No making mistakes on my account!

[@dixiedean1955]

Now I never knew you did this trip Don, a real classic. When I first came to Liverpool as a young man I would hitch up the motorway (couldn't afford the train) and on to the Woodhead to watch the trains. Was always one of my favourite lines and every time I see a photo or video of it I get all nostalgic!

[@doncoffey5820]

I’m glad you enjoyed it. Its such a shame it stops at Hadfield rather than pass up that amazing valley.

[@brcinemawm]

😁 Ooooh, more fullscreen side shots please.

[@paulmasterson386]

I was a guard on this route in the 90’s. I moved to Manchester Airport depot before the 323s took over. In my day it was 305s. Once my train stopped outside Hadfield because the OHL had collapsed. The passengers simply opened the doors,climbed out of the train,and walked to Hadfield.

[@doncoffey5820]

Nice one Paul. By coincidence I’ve got two trips to the airport later today. It’s changed a bit since you were there.

[@phwbooth]

Thanks once again, Don. Excellent (even better!)

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks!

[@SirReginaldBlomfield1234]

Have just watched this truly excellent production Don but with some regret being of an age to remember the glory days of coal traffic with 76s, two luggin' & two shovin' . 😟. The size of some of the supports gives big clues to lost rails, Mottram yard etc. etc. I could go on but won't ! I for one thank you for the scrolling banners of information and the time and effort on your part. How anyone could not appreciate this is beyond me. Thanks again for your efforts.

[@doncoffey5820]

You mean the “dislikes”? There might be some people who genuinely don’t like the format but I suppose when somebody searches for say Manchester and gets a cab ride, that might do it.

[@ChrisGJ700]

I always enjoy these kind of videos, and the text commentary was nice. It was also nice to catch a glimpse my old hometown (Hadfield), having not lived there for over 25 years now...

[@doncoffey5820]

Quite a few have commented that it takes them back Chris.

[@rayphillips9266]

Fantasticly quiet fast moving trains !!

[@James_B]

10:25, Countless times stood here waiting for the train as a child. Brings back good memories, albeit distant ones now i have lived in Scotland for the best part of a decade...

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad it took you back!

[@andrewg6555]

Really love your videos. Captions are very informative as well. Perfect

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks Andrew. I try to cover different subjects in every video.

[@Gwril76]

Great viewing. Thanks for sharing

[@pburr1973]

Lots of original wide-span 1500v electrification masts, covering one or two tracks when it was previously four (or more!) and some clearly cut down to size, some remain standing covering nothing at all - it all looks a bit sad. A 323 unit traversing both Glossop and Hadfield will be turned around it seems.

[@2898nickg]

Your mention in the commentary of Dewsnap Sidings brings back fond memories of my loco spotting days as a youth and young man. I remember driving from Doncaster to Guide Bridge with 3 mates in a beat up old Vauxhall Viva (watching for red lights appearing on the dashboard was a constant preoccupation) The object of the excursion was to spot a particular 08 class shunting loco that had been (unofficially) named “Dewsnap” and sported wooden name boards that l presume had been knocked up and attached by the crew/yard shunters. We had been reliably informed that the loco was present somewhere in the yard that particular day. The sidings were indeed extensive and it proved hard to spot. We travelled up and down from Guide Bridge on the local service until at last, on the fourth pass.......success! We managed a glimpse of it going about it’s business between rows of wagons. Oh happy days! This would have been mid to late 1970s. I can’t remember the loco’s number, but I’ll wager someone out there does. Thanks for the continued series of superbly filmed and thoughtfully annotated videos, they are peerless in the genre.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks Nick. I don’t know if you follow Manchester’s Railways on Facebook but Dewsnaps Sidings often turn up on there. Thanks for the account and the kind words - much appreciated. Also glad you found the illusive 08!

[@derrickgreen9020]

I’ve only found your presentations recently Don and they are all fascinating. Every time I’ve watched one, I have this urge to have another go on my Train Simulator World 2020! I love the trans Pennine routes and recognise some of the station names. I have so many of your routes to catch up with. Many Thanks.

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you find them interesting Derrick. Thanks for the feedback.

[@ChangesOneTim]

Viewers may notice the thicker-section contact wires overhead, as originally installed for the MSW 1500V dc electrification scheme and then reused when the line was converted to 25kV ac after the through route beyond Hadfield shut. Like the structures, still going strong at 70 years old!

[@doncoffey5820]

We’ll be going over that route soon with some new footage.

[@grahamappleyard6190]

Another great video Don. Can't wait for the next!

[@doncoffey5820]

I’ll be working on it over the next few days Graham.

[@johnseipel3791]

A wonderful video. As a former resident of Old Glossop and now an all too infrequent a visitor the video brought back many memories. John S

[@doncoffey5820]

Good, I’m pleased you enjoyed it.

[@tonywilson4704]

Great video Don, and I really like the captions you add, they certainly show a lot more detail and interesting features in the journey.Dinting viaduct is bloomin impressive😃👍⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks Tony.

[@alancharles1681]

Dinting viaduct is very impressive, I've walked over it many times when I used to be signalman at Mottram No2 signal box, as it was when I started working there (later it became just Mottram box after the closure of Mottram No1 box), positioned as it was at the Mottram end of said viaduct. :) Sadly now you are hard pressed to even see the base of the charcoal heated box; even less see any trace of the reception sidings the box controlled. :(

[@feaky44]

another brilliant video so jealous

[@andrewr2825]

Another top video Don. It’s helping me jot down lines to visit when I get to the UK in the near future. I’ll actually know the lines, and some of the attractions. This one was particularly interesting, as there are glimpses of the old “Woodhead electric” infrastructure still in use today. Just shows us the resilience of equipment I guess.

[@doncoffey5820]

Yes, it’s amazing. Even where the wires were removed, the structures have stayed which is unlike Network Rail. They normally remove old clutter.

[@simonsgoprovideos2840]

This route is coming to tsw3 ..looking forward to seeing this

[@doncoffey5820]

Good look with it.

[@joaogoncalves1097]

Superb video. Thanks for sharing. Really love the additional information about the route characteristics and features. These old catenary masts and gantries are still used in Brazil, my homeland, in Santos to Jundiai route, currently used for commuter trains only.

[@doncoffey5820]

That’s interesting, thank you.

[@None-zc5vg]

There are some similar structures in Australia in the Sydney area, on lines that were electrified back in the '40s. Maybe the gantrywork was mass-produced here for use on electrification schemes at home and abroad. Some masts on the Woodhead line were erected before WW2 stopped the work.

[@Clavichordist]

Thank you @Don Coffey for posting a very fascinating video. I enjoy your videos immensely because I get to experience a part of the world I cannot not see otherwise. Sadly the Woodhead line succumbed around the same time some famous lines were closed across the pond here. We lost the Milwaukee Road (Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific) Pacific Northwest Extension in 1980, the Delaware Lackawanna and Western (DL&W)'s famous Lackawanna Cut-off, a big chunk of the famous Rock Island, and back here in the north east the Maine Central Mountain Division. The Pacific Extension sadly has no chance of ever coming back. The infrastructure has been completely stripped and scrapped while the the MEC Mountain Division maybe coming back to life in parts with some parts in operation now as a heritage operation, and the Lackawanna Cut-off is being restored with hopes of reopening the line to its terminus in Scranton, PA with portions of the New Jersey end open for commuter traffic now. But... oh but it's nice to hope that someday the Woodhead line will be restored too.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks John. Yes, I’m afraid the railway rarely gets lucky enough for a re-opening. It does happen occasionally but not as often as we hope. Interesting comments about your railways - thanks.

[@peterhawthorne7182]

Great videos Don keep them coming. All the best.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks Peter. More soon.

[@mutley23able]

Excellent, great quality, watch these on the laptop with the headphones on while the Mrs watches Coronation Street.

[@doncoffey5820]

Good idea!

[@brianlawrence7119]

i have seen a lot of professional videos like these but these are far better plenty of info and no distracting shots well done and thanks for the excellent quality and info.Its the next best thing to being there

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks Brian. I’ve got several more in the pipeline.

[@Scottishboy-gg8bc]

Superb video and the descriptions below it are the icing on the cake. Those old 1.5KV OLE masts look so frail by todays standards. Went to Hadfield last march so it was much more interesting.

[@johnhardman3]

A lot of those old gantries were unsightly because the relatively low-voltage DC wiring had to be split into electrically-separate but overlapping sections : every so far, there were "section gaps" and the larger Warren-girder gantries that had to support the wiring at the end of each section are one reason why the structures look so ugly and oversized (the wiring was tensioned by giant springs, instead of the weights now used on AC overhead). The line from London to Shenfield was electrified in the same way in 1949 (same 3-car units, same gantrywork, but no electric locos): it was converted to AC voltage after just 10 years,around 1960. Maybe the Woodhead route could have been converted but that's 'academic' now.

[@johnhardman3]

At Hyde Junction the line was modified in '84 to accomodate a money-saving single-lead junction, with no catch-points at one end. In time (1991) there was a head-on collision there between two "108" units entering and leaving the single-lead, after a Manchester-bound driver mistook a signal-aspect. No-one was killed but the junction was heavily modified to include catch-points and sand-traps at one end. A similar crash in Scotland was fatal. False economy?

[@scottgibson7534]

I find your videos, informative and relaxing.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thank you.

[@ricwilki6254]

Great video of an unusual route and really interesting commentary to boot! 👍

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you liked it Richard.

[@johnm2012]

I loved the gorgeous skew arch at Dinting.

[@doncoffey5820]

Amazing isn’t it John. 100% agree.

[@andrewwild1610]

Another great video Don - each one is a little masterpiece! Lovely to be able to see the railway from the front end again! Ex Northern Rail train driver Andy Wild (Sheffield)

[@doncoffey5820]

Nice one Andy. Glad it brings back memories. I guess you’ve seen the Hope Valley and the Wakefield to Leeds videos? Probably both on your patch.

[@andrewwild1610]

Think I’ve watched all your videos! I used to Sign most of lines in Wakefield/Leeds area and also Cleethorpes to Manchester Airport via Picc - so they are definitely a trip down memory lane! Happy days!

[@stevehallam0850]

Very nicely filmed and edited, thanks. Commentary very good.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks.

[@MartinMiller1]

Another excellent job!

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks Martin.

[@rubyait]

I saw is earlier but didn’t appreciate it. This time I knew way more and saw a lot. Very complicated route. Thanks for the great video.

[@doncoffey5820]

We’ll have you signed up and driving Thomas!!!

[@JohnWalshLegend]

Nice to see the old 1500v type masts still there, even though they were converted many years ago. I remember a couple of trips on the old 506 units to Glossop, plus seeing the class 76 locos hauling the coal when I was a kid. Theres got to be more than Woodhead closing than what we have been told though. Great videos and happy New Year. Thank You!

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you enjoyed it. Happy New Year to you too John.

[@None-zc5vg]

One of the eight '506' units went into private ownership but it was essentially unwanted by preservation groups: it began to decay and was last seen in a siding at Butterley in the mid-'90s, awaiting eviction. I believe it went to Sheffield for scrapping, soon after. One of the 90-odd similar 3-car units that ran from Liverpool Street in London, and which were converted to run on AC voltage ca. 1960, still survives (just) outdoors in the hands of a preservation group. It is largely quite similar to the original '506' DC units, but with the original driving-motor-car as the centre coach and the cab and guard's van transferred to what would have been the centre trailer coach. These AC conversions went for scrap in the early '80s, while the 8 (latterly 7) 'Glossop' units were retired late in 1984.

[@StaffsTransport]

A wonderful film that captures the charm of the ghost of the Woodhead route in crystalline winter light. I spent a great deal of time at Dinting and Hadfield as a teenager, watching the class 76 electrics, and would often ride into Glossop for a bite to eat. Whilst many lament the Woodhead and its untimely demise, I am grateful I can still take the journey from Piccadilly to Hadfield, Dinting and Glossop. Much was lost, it is true to say, and I am not meaning to underplay the terrible loss of an enchanting, bewitching railway that drew me like a child to a candy store back in the day. But there is still much magic, although perhaps more in the older eyes of those who remember the glory days. Broadbottom and Hadfield stations are still finely kept, and Hadfield particularly has much style. Dinting is still a fascinating place, with the abandoned engine shed surrounded by trees, the disused platform buildings hidden in dense shrubbery, the signal box marooned on the little used platform, and the strange "coathanger" track layout mostly in dark shadow even at noon, which gives the illusion of a much busier station, such is the frequency of trains in all directions. Glossop, now a much improved former bay platform which sprouted dogwood and beech saplings in my memory, now immaculate, with planters of violas and geraniums. The view from the end of Hadfield station sees the former route to Sheffield disappear into the trees, a last catenery mast left behind in honour of those who worked through the famous tunnel, the slanted bridge beyond now obscured and lost but traceable on foot, if one is any kind of adventurer. My old lookout on the tall bridge at Mottram still sees trains speeding by, the former sidings now a thick wood with nuthatches, greater spotted woodpeckers, and owls. There is still so much to enjoy. And your video brings out these wonderful charms, some of them phantoms, others stark and real, but all pieces of a beautiful, incomplete, ruined mosaic, bathed in sunlight. Thank You.

[@doncoffey5820]

That is very interesting and I agree entirely with you. Thanks for taking the time to post this feedback.

[@northern-class_331]

I love the motors on these trains, and now I know why they make that noise

[@jamescardwell2602]

Great video Don, thanks for taking the time to its really appreciated! Please ignore the few who are quick to dispense criticism without any positive feedback, these people have sad lives.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks James. It can be a bit frustrating and some of it is my own fault for not checking things properly. When you’ve run the same film about 20 times, it can get a bit tiring and things get through.

[@amtrakharry]

Excellent Don ! I love the "Manchester Perspective of these video's! The "captioning and information was quite interesting !Thank you for sharing!!! :):):)All the best ...

[@doncoffey5820]

More soon Harry

[@amtrakharry]

@@doncoffey5820 :):):):)

[@layd999]

AC motors are not "chopped"; they operate on variable frequency inverters for both acceleration and regenerative braking, hence the whine that you hear as they pull away from a station. Not particularly new technology; it was the subject of my fourth year undergraduate project fifty years ago.

[@doncoffey5820]

How it was explained by the teccy at Longsight one day. I appreciate your better explanation.

[@bro70]

Why inverters?(DC to AC), when you have AC supply to AC traction motors. I suspect they use thyristors.

[@tristacker]

I understand there are several methods of controlling AC motors. One does convert ac-dc-ac. Others use varying AC frequency or devices called triacs.

[@berkhofduvedec]

According to wiki part of the line to London Marylebone. The overhead catenaries look alot like the ones here at the other side of the north sea! In the old days even the voltage 1.5 kV was the same

[@doncoffey5820]

Yes correct and some of our 1500v locomotives came to the NL. 👍

[@carlodalmas732]

fantastic video (from italy)

[@mikewilson5241]

Nice run Don!

[@petersharp7644]

Another great cab ride. It's sad to see Guide Bridge so changed following closure of the through route over Woodhead to Sheffield, and the yards at Dewsnap and Mottram eradicated.I visited Guide Bridge every year from 1976 to 1981 with camera and notebook, it really was a freight hotspot, particularly in the 70s. I hadn't realised that the original Godley station ( latterly East) was no longer in use as I also visited here on a couple of occasions. Ah well, at least we still have a railway to Glossop and Hadfield for which we should be grateful.

[@doncoffey5820]

That was an area that I knew was busy but never got to visit. I guess we should also be thankful that at least something of the yard still exists.

[@None-zc5vg]

Godley Junction was a busy exchange point, where diesels took over the coal trains to take them through to Woodley, Stockport and Cheadle and on to the distant power-station at Fiddlers Ferry. After 1981 the remaining coal traffic reached Guide Bridge via Huddersfield, the via Heaton Norris, Edgeley and Cheadle before atraining its former route. After 1981 the disused tracks out of Godley Junction became overgrown, while the overhead wires remained live, awaiting disconnection and removal. A young new resident in the area decided to explore the sidings and thought that the 'dead' tracks somehow meant that the wires above them were also out-of-use and, therefore, safe to touch..

[@paulwhitear4983]

Great video. First time I've seen an electric video. The ones I've watched in past have been diesel. Well done Don. Nice to see places I've never heard of. Heard of Glossop.

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you enjoyed it Paul.

[@thecurlythomas]

This is the best video to watch when you are high

[@doncoffey5820]

I’ve been drunk but never high. I hardly drink at all these days!!

[@buzzukfiftythree]

Great video as always Don, many thanks. I believe some of the 1500v DC locos used on the route ended up in The Netherlands after the Woodhead Tunnel route was closed. Good to see that the truncated route has at least retained electric traction.

[@doncoffey5820]

Quite right, some did go to Holland.

[@buzzukfiftythree]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NS_Class_1500#/media/File:NS_1505_(1500_Class)_at_Manchester_Museum_of_Science_and_Industry.jpg

[@andrewphillips9391]

All the EM2/class 77 were sold to NS and they used 6 out of the 7, the last one being used for spares. The last were withdrawn in 1986, & 2 are back in the UK, 1 at Manchester MOSI

[@ianinvancouverbc]

I took this very same route to Glossop back in May 2018, the station at Glossop is lovely, you could have been driving my train that day Don !

[@doncoffey5820]

I wasn’t driving when the film was shot but I have driven it many times in the past. Maybe you know Neil who manages the friends group at the station. They do an amazing job.

[@None-zc5vg]

I first went along this route from Ashburys to Glossop in 1954, when the electrified service was launched. My father worked on the line until 1962, and we were 'trying out' the line, which is only a skeleton of what it used to be. Guide Bridge used to be a four-platform station with local connections to Oldham, Stockport and Stalybridge and with long-distance links to Sheffield and (via Fairfield) to Liverpool. You'd never know now, from looking at what's left of it. Even the footbridge has gone, leaving Manchester-bound passengers with a long walk.

[@None-zc5vg]

@@doncoffey5820 There are 'Friends' groups working at a few other stations on the line, but they're more restricted than the Glossop team in what they can do on and around the platforms.

[@ChuckCampbell]

Don, this was very interesting, especially the Delta of Hadfield/Glossop. I have never seen two dead ends like that, and how complicated it is to navigate the Delta. Thanks...great side views too!

[@doncoffey5820]

Not difficult if you know what you are doing Chuck. Its 10 mph on the 2 sides of the curve and 40 mph on the side we didn’t go round. There are some special instructions but all the drivers are thoroughly familiarised on them.

[@None-zc5vg]

I read somehere that the massive girder structures that form the viaducts at the Mottram-Glossop end of the line were installed in the 1860s to replace the wooden beams that had been there since the 1840s.

[@tigermoth1966]

Nice one don doing a job i have always wanted to do but to old now well done keep up the good work

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks Wayne.

[@AntonyShannon]

Love the video DOn. Can't be many stations in the country which get a double stop like Glossop and Dinting

[@doncoffey5820]

I suspect you are correct.

[@2H80vids]

On the Far North line, Georgemas Junction gets a "proper" double-stop. Trains from Inverness call at the station, reverse and go to Thurso, reverse back to Georgemas, then continue to Wick. They call at the station both times and this happens with southbound trains too. The service frequency is somewhat less than half-hourly though.

[@bnewman595]

These videos are extremely well done! I've been viewing a lot of them. The British rail operations are interesting, and often quite different from the rail operations, here in the states. For example, over here, the train engineer would have to blow the "whistle" four times at EVERY grade crossing, and he'd have to sound a warning before entering a tunnel of any length. Also, the presence of any workers along the route would require a reduction in speed--to a crawl--and the sounding of a warning "whistle". A train, here, would never be allowed to pass rail workers at normal track speed, as I've seen in several British rail videos. I've been very impressed and inquisitive about the British tunnels...the little I've been able to see due to the fact most of the passage through your tunnels is in total darkness. Your tunnels appear to be quite clean and well engineered for a smooth ride. Take a look at a few videos of the New York City subways. It will scare you! All the tunnels are equipped with lighting along the sides...white and blue lights. I don't think American train operators would tolerate miles of dark tunnels, like your British engineers do. I'm still working on understanding some of your signals. It's fun learning new things, especially about trains and rail systems. Keep the videos coming. They're outstanding! All the best! Stay safe!

[@doncoffey5820]

Thank you B Newman and thanks for the interesting information. I guess a big influencing factor is that the US railways are open to trespass where our railways are completely closed off. Track workers here have to work under a “possession” of different categories. Some are during the working of trains (like the ones you see them standing clear as we pass at speed) and others require a total line blockage. The camera doesn’t pick up the insides of tunnels very well. While they aren’t well lit, we can see more than the footage would suggest. I nearly hit a guy walking through a tunnel one day - he said he was taking a short cut!!!

[@doncoffey5820]

For a really interesting video on tunnel construction, take a look at this; kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZSbm6mfrbZ6prM

[@flyingporker100]

Thank you again for another informative clip. I enjoy "playing trains" on my computer (as well as playing aeroplanes) and it's interesting to see the computer version with the real thing. As for my enginemanship... Thank you again.

[@doncoffey5820]

I guess the thing you can’t feel on the computer are the effects of the gradients and how that requires power, coasting or braking.

[@flyingporker100]

​@@doncoffey5820​ Hello Don The same can be said of aeroplane simulation. The saying "fly by the seat of your pants" is very true. A highly skilled test pilot had his bum anaesthetised before going up. He found that his flying was a lot worse without the sensations. While I can fly a fixed wing aeroplane, I cannot handle helicopters at all. I would guess that much of those skills comes from the physical sensations you mention.

[@doncoffey5820]

Somebody posted a simulator view on Facebook and I was surprised how good it was.

[@allanralston7014]

Thanks for putting this up Don, the side views over viaducts is a welcome edition to the format. Not really a transpennine route (still miffed for not getting the chimney location!) though I have walked on from Hadfield to Penistone station as the transpennine trail follows most of the old line that far

[@doncoffey5820]

It was actually one of 4 TransPennine routes Allan. There is Summit Tunnel, Woodhead Tunnel, Standedge Tunnel and Totley Tunnel all classed as Transpennine. I’ll pose another clue for the next video - you’ll never get it ;-)

[@davidrogers891]

Wonderfull Video

[@kevincrowley4586]

I was on the last 506 service to leave Hadfield/Glossop towards Manchester. The train terminated at a temporary platform constructed adjacent to Hyde North station/GB867 signal and the train 'Cracked' the detonators as is traditional. Visitors to the line have been the Doncaster Works built Class 85's hauled by steam loco's and also the Tommy's (Bo+B0's) also Clacton 309 units and Class 86-259 LES ROSS on railtours that visited Hadfield only due to local service timing restraints. Keep the faith Sir, now't wrong with your video's !

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks Kevin and thanks for the info - very interesting.

[@johnhardman3]

The signalman at the about-to-close Stockport Junction box used up his detonators as the last "506" out of Piccadilly (a six-car unit) passed by in Dec. '84. I was travelling home from work on this train which was packed with enthusiasts. One "506" survived into the mid-'90s until its owner gave up: it was decaying and no-one else would chip-in, I gather. The only other similar unit, the chopped-about AC-powered "306" may yet escape a similar fate since it was evicted from the Ilford depot and left in the open with a preservation group.

[@terrybailey2769]

Thanks again Don, I too like the captioning, I learn at least one thing new from every one of these videos (usually several things). I never understood why the brach to Glossup existed, now I do. Also with reference to the reopening of the Woodhead route, yes it would be nice and I am sure in the current environment then it would be well used, however I believe one of the current tunnels I believe are used for other things (power transmission cables) and the others are beyond economic repair, so the only option would be to create a new tunnel. It's ok for London to have new tunnels built across the city for Crossrail and Thameslink, but us peasants in the north don't count.

[@doncoffey5820]

Its a sore point with us north of the M25. We could well use that fourth transpennine route during the forthcoming transpennine route upgrade via Huddersfield. Thanks for the comments Terry, glad you enjoyed the video.

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

excellent I recognise the drivers eye view on the class 323 before when I was watching the drivers eye view of the cross city line 1995

[@doncoffey5820]

If we’re lucky and my mate can spare the time, we might get more 323 footage.

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

Don Coffey yes don I’ve watched drivers eye view and it’s a Same class 323 but this one is a cross city line unit which is different than this one on the northern Service

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

More importantly these class 323s are now withdrawn from the northern line because the new class 331s are here to replace them

[@doncoffey5820]

I’m sorry, which Northern Line Scott?

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

no need to apologise mate its on the Manchester airport Liverpool lime street and Glossop and Hatfield

[@wombatperson]

beautiful video. The quality was so good I could see lots of lineside scenery and landscape as well, an added attraction. Very interesting to see the legacy 1500V DC stanchions, particularly those around the Dinting delta area, as they are almost identical to those in use on Sydney's electrified network, which is on 1500V DC, installed in the late 1920s and then added to in the 1950s (over the Blue Mountains line) and then around the 80s, for intercity services, South to Wollongong and North to Newcastle (NSW). Also very interesting to see how the Hadfield line must have been refitted for the high voltage AC, with bigger insulators and presumably lighter catenary wires. (BTW, our Blue Mountains line has mainline grades of 1:33).

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks Peter. I wouldn’t be surprised if the technology was shared between the UK and Oz at that time. There are only a few lines with those kinds of gradients on our little island.

[@wombatperson]

@@doncoffey5820 Australian railway engineering shows strong signs of both British and American influences. Most railway stations and lineside structures were in the British style. Some rollingstock in NSW had definite American influences (such as end platform carriages and Budd cars), or were bought directly from US manufacturers (certain early wild-west steam loco classes). The suburban electric rollingstock from the 20s were modeled on New York subway carriages, but their electrical system was, and remains, the British 1500V DC overhead wiring of those times. My grandfather was a British civil engineer, who migrated to Sydney to work on the NSW railways, no doubt bringing with him his British methodologies. My mum, as a child in about 1930, used to ride with him on long country trips in the "Hallade" dynamometer car, measuring ride and track conditions. I was very surprised to discover this same carriage, including the sleeping compartment they used, preserved in the NSW rail transport museum. Thanks again for the beautiful video. My wife used to go walking in the hills surrounding this part of the world, and remembers the locale quite well.

[@doncoffey5820]

Oh nice, in that respect, I don’t think the area has changed much so she wouldn’t notice much in the way of change (development etc). Regarding the trains, yes I agree they would be US influence. If I’m honest, the UK equipment wouldn’t be up to that kind of environment.

[@grumpyoldman47]

Actually, NSW Railways class 46 electric locos were constructed by Metropolitan Vickers/Beyer Peacock, and were based upon the class 76/77 locos built for the Woodhead Line; back on topic! @@doncoffey5820

[@PrinceZappa]

29:53 Hello, hello. What's going on? What's all this shouting? We'll have no trouble here!"

[@doncoffey5820]

Lost me there.

[@1951GL]

Impressed with the 323 - the technical info is interesting. Where I live the Tyneside Metro units are DC and having a few problems. The units are 42 years old.

[@doncoffey5820]

They are cracking units and have been very good for Northern. Alstom do a good job of looking after them.

[@andrewphillips9391]

@@doncoffey5820 Sure I read somewhere that the test bed unit (an old 307 I think) when being tested between Crewe & Stafford left the class 90s dead, much to the surprise of the InterCity drivers!

[@tonyhancock8479]

Tony Hancock​. I live at Godley (half way along the route) and use this line frequently to both Manchester and Glossop so really looking forward to seeing this.

[@doncoffey5820]

No problem Tony. Tuesday night and I should be on the live comments if it all works out.

[@dwcowie9687]

Thank you Don for another day's outing. It is so good for us older folk who can no longer travel by rail. In a previous video I asked how you kept the camera steady and how you do the in-screen shots. I don't know if you answered that. If you did I apologise.

[@doncoffey5820]

I think I did but just in case, the short answer is with a very powerful (read that as expensive) suction mount. I tried small tripods but they tend to wander about or vibrate and then I tried a cheap and cheerful suction mount which simply vibrated. This new super suction mount caused the East Midlands driver on the Cheshire Lines video much amusement when he witnessed me trying to make it let go of his Class 156. I’ll get round to posting that trip soon!

[@davidcowie2462]

Thanks Don. What about the in-screen shots? I do appreciate all the time and effort you put in these videos. Thanks again

[@grumpyoldman47]

For those who don't already know, an 8mm film of the Woodhead route filmed from the cab on a class EM2 (77) in 1965 can be found at: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYOZfYlriN6tms0. for comparison, Dinting westwards starts at about 4min 36secs. My first contact with this line was in about 1956, and I used in regularly during winter 1966/67; by that time, the EM2s had been sold to the Netherlands, and all passenger trains (except the Harwich Boat Train) were worked by the named class 76s, which had steam generators; it was quite a strange site to see one blowing off! Train journeys end-to-end took about an hour, the maximum line speed being 60mph (according to Beeching Part 2) and the majority of trains stopped at Guide Bridge, Dinting, and Penistone; generally, they were formed of a mixture of Mk 1s and ex LMS stock, but a Gresley Buffet could usually be found on the boat train. Loadings weren't particularly heavy; from memory, I always had a window seat facing the direction of travel, and I often had a compartment to myself. The withdrawal of passenger services wasn't really a surprise; only the Woodhead electrics used Sheffield Victoria by that time, and it was in a rather isolated location north of the city centre; for passengers changing trains, it wasn't a very pleasant walk between Victoria and Midland stations - especially on a wet, winter, Monday morning! However, because of coal traffic and its recent modernisation/electrification, it was recommended by Beeching as a route for development as the primary freight route between the East Midlands/South Yorkshire and Lancashire; for those not familiar with the South Pennine routes at that time, the Peak Forest route carried more general freight than Woodhead, but coal from the east of the Pennines going to Lancashire power stations gave Woodhead another 20 years or so of life. The condition of the "old" Woodhead Tunnels unfortunately means that reopening of the route is very unlikely; by observation from this video, the alignment "should" permit some line speed improvements, and as the route was four-track between the Ardwick area and Hyde North Junction, it should theoretically be possible to restore some capacity which would permit faster train journeys between these two northern cities via the Woodhead route. Shame it will never happen. Finally, thanks to Don for another great video.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. By the way, I bet I could give you a run in a grumpy old man competition!

[@russouk]

zig zag on glossop track ?...good parking in glossop carpark...theres always one...2 actually...parked adjacent to slots typical. if the likes of Amazon paid their taxes etc we might have the funds for a proper rail system. Flowery Fields Stn...reminds me of Fawlty Towers Flowery Twats....lol no idea why but Im fascinated by going over junctions,points etc,the train swing about and making some nervous is eciting stuff...your videos are top class Don..ty v much..

[@doncoffey5820]

The train pitches about much more than the video would suggest but the image stabilisation sorts it all out.

[@johnemsden735]

Don yet again a perfect video 10 out of ten, these are the best cab ride videos I have seen and set a high/best standard. just out of interest are there any plans of doing say a Man to Leeds of a night time or does the camera not work that well in the dark? as it would be interesting to see the drivers view of a night

[@doncoffey5820]

I tried several times John but they were hopeless. Our 185s are getting the new LED headlights so I’ll try again when that happens, I’ve got some nice footage of Vic to Stalybridge in the fog and I was just waiting to see if we get any decent blizzard conditions to put them on together.

[@TheNorfolkThunderbolt]

Ooh! Looking forward to seeing this!

[@midlandcompound]

Great! Thanks.

[@doncoffey5820]

You're welcome!

[@kidsanthony6330]

amazing don coffey

[@1951GL]

Don, this one is up with your very best. The east/Derbyshire side of Manchester is geographically interesting. The buffer stop at Hadfield must rank with the closure of Blackpool Central in 1964 as one of the more hair brained idiocies of the 60s.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks for the compliment (not forgetting my mate without whom it wouldn’t be possible). When you look how complex the railway was it is of course sad to see it like it is in some places but you have to remember that the country has changed dramatically and while in the post war years, it was the lifeblood of every town and village, it ended up with empty trains running through manned stations because people were getting access to cars. The railway was in decline and notoriously unreliable for all sorts of reasons. They couldn’t be kept open. Whatever we think of capitalism, its turned the railway around and now it is struggling to handle capacity. Its a funny old world!

[@borderlands6606]

@@doncoffey5820 Old news but I think more of the system could have been mothballed. The keenness to demolish infrastructure like bridges and viaducts, ensuring they would never be replaced was ideological rather than pragmatic. The same demolition mania was true of ancient town centres. 1960s progressive madness that made a few people very wealthy, but civic vandalism on an epic scale.

[@AndreiTupolev]

The Woodhead line's not one you can blame on Beeching. It was closed in about 1980 wasn't it, as the coal traffic that it was mainly intended for declined

[@martinusher1]

Instead of carrying coal to generating plants in Manchester the coal fired new generating plants in Yorkshire and the tunnels carried the high voltage power cables. Now, of course, no coal and the big plants seem to have closed. (What might have bben the final nail in the coffin was the motorway through Stockport. This damaged the rail tunnel so severing the link between the Woodhead route and industrial plants in Cheshire.)

[@martinusher1]

If you want to go beyond Hadfield there's a couple of Train Sim runs between Manchester London Road and Sheffield Victoria.

[@Andrea.583]

I feel old! Last time I went over this route was behind 76049, Jason in 1979. It has changed dramatically.

[@doncoffey5820]

I am old Andrea!

[@Andrea.583]

@@doncoffey5820 The things you do when you are in love! It was a special which ran from Marylebone following as much of the GC route as possible. Jason came on at Woodburn Junction for the trip to Manchester. I think we had the same loco for the return journey to Sheffield. Then it was diesel hauled to Liverpool Street via Lincoln, Spalding, March and through East Anglia.

[@plymptonpleb]

Thanks for a great video, Don, and for explaining some of the mysteries of rail operations. I guess I must have used this line sixty years ago on the Harwich to Liverpool train. Is there a reason for the disappointingly low number of passengers using the service?

[@doncoffey5820]

I think its down to the time of day Paul. Trust me, those services are often “hammered” and they step up from 2 to 3 per hour during rush hour.

[@mattstrains6133]

Very interesting I love this line and take it as much as I can it's very scenic do you think you'll ever get a video from Manchester to Glasgow

[@doncoffey5820]

Erm, it is pending Matt. One of my colleagues is getting round to filming it but he’s just waiting for the right permissions to come through. I’m not sure if he’ll post it here or on another site but I’ll provide a link. One of the other guys I work with is "Four Foot”. He has done some cracking video’s of southern routes - worth a look.

[@user-hu8zu7dq6w]

Wow, this is a line that's just asking to be four-tracked. To think we used to have a fast (electric?) service to Sheffield along here! Would be a joy if it re-opened.

[@doncoffey5820]

Yes, it went to Sheffield via Woodhead.

[@ddthecm]

Lol! 25:15 That's an Underbridge! We (Structures examiners and engineers) always say Underbridges carry something under the railway, Overbridges carry something over the railway. Looks like quite an old style of bridge construction.

[@doncoffey5820]

It is indeed Dan and I promise you it was edited to show that but Imovie is fickle software and doesn’t always keep the edited version. My fault for not checking it properly

[@None-zc5vg]

The old Glossop station building was largely replaced by a supermarket: there's just one platform left and the trackbed outside the old building is now a car-park.

[@TheBarnem13]

Absolutely brilliant thanks I hope to see many more around the NWest the captions really add to the journey too

[@doncoffey5820]

Keep watching. I get a lot of help getting this footage so I have to acknowledge that.

[@alanstarkie2001]

I love these videos, for no particular reason, other than I used to travel on these lines. I do miss the clickety-clack but progress I guess and I remember the station used to be Ashbury's for Belle Vue! This little unit can shift, can't it?

[@doncoffey5820]

Hi Alan. Those units are what you might call adequate for that route but the speed is very much exaggerated by the wide angle lens. The newer cameras allow a certain of zoom which gives a much better perspective.