Abandoned Rails on The Stoke to Market Drayton Line - Episode 12 -

#EveryDisusedStation #AbandonedRailway #disusedRailway
We decided to explore part of the North Staffordshire railway, to find any hidden remains of its former life. Mostly closed to passengers from 1964, although used for the Silverdale Colliery into the early eighties. We had a really interesting explore along this line which included the bonus of some old tracks in situ, likely due to the more recent freight usage. This trip was quite a mix of rural and urban exploring, although a couple of drive-bys were required.
Forgive the slightly high vol. of music in places, again, we are still relatively new to this editing thing!
This will form part one of this trip, next week tunnels!
Links:
www.paulwhitewick.co.uk
Twitter: @PaulWhitewick
Instagram: @PWhitewick
Facebook: @EveryDisusedStation
/ everydisusedstation
Attributes:
Norton Pic: commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
Silverdale pics: Chris Pope - June 1980
Satellite overview: Google maps
National Library of Scotland - SidebySidemaps Feature.
Scan from Allen, Cecil J. (1928) The Steel Highway, London: Longmans, Green & Co., pp. facing page. (II) 129

[@SteveMorton]

The use of the 'then' and now' maps is a great enhancement to your videos in terms of understanding the videos.

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Steve. Trying to get the balance between a bit of cinematography and a full on waffle about the line. We want to tell more of its story but also aware that would make the videos too long. 👍👍

[@samball6019]

@@pwhitewick Im sure your viewers wouldnt mind how long your videos are. but as with any video it is the editing that takes up a lot of your time . Keep up the great work have been enjoying your incredible time and effort you both put into your project.

[@anthonymcdonnell6615]

easy tunnel site to find on the Great Central And Midland joint loop widnes is the black brick wall on Liverpool road widnes and the other black brick wall on hale road, one of the over bridges is still there at Dundalk road widnes.

[@anthonymcdonnell6615]

@@pwhitewick tunnel under Liverpool road widnes and hale road was 97 yards long and the secne of an accident in 1901, tunnel was filled in with cutting by order of Halton Borough Council in August 1975

[@edwilson5416]

Next time you're up in these parts you should do the Churnet Valley line. The sections alongside Rudyard Lake and between Oakamoor and Alton are particularly scenic.

[@davidpillinger2699]

As an expat Brit living in the USA, I'm loving these videos! Keep up the great work.

[@andrewholloway231]

I agree, I like the use of the 'then' and 'now' maps too. And the track that was still in situ, how cool's that.

[@pwhitewick]

It was indeed an amazing find. 👍

[@stephendavies6949]

I love ALL your work, but your abandoned/disused station episodes are my favourites

[@shingerz]

Good video nice one I walked station walks to school in the eightys 👍👍

[@eddieknox9874]

i lov abandoned railroads

[@RichardFelstead1949]

I always enjoy "travelling'" with both of you around UK.

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Richard, pleased you enjoyed this one too.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Most enjoyable - always a thrill to find track still in place! Great stuff.

[@pwhitewick]

Thank you. Yes that was quite a treat. Tunnels from the same line next week!

[@wideyxyz2271]

Tor side, Wood head, Dumfordbridge and Pennistone....If and when you get round to those it might be best parking up at one end and cycling the route.....Just a thought!

[@racget130]

I love walking on that railway as I live in one of the villages that it cuts through.

[@pwhitewick]

A very nice setting.

[@johnathanrowley2707]

Used to go to market Drayton, shame they can't reopen open it as they lost most of there bus services.

[@RichardWells1]

Really appreciated the maps! And love the authentic style of your films. Thank you!

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Richard, much appreciated.

[@avtiming5288]

Enjoyed that thanks. The Silverdale station has been rebuilt down the road in a country park

[@shaunwest3612]

Great video,you certainly set yourself a challenge, found your channel when watching Martin zero, thanks😀

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Shaun. Cheers for the sub, I hope you enjoy our little channel. Video out in 5 mins!!

[@wideyxyz2271]

Been following your videos since you did that piece with Martin Zero. I'm kind of doing them ad-hoc! So now you have a new subscription!

[@pwhitewick]

Pleasure to have your subscription, glad you are enjoying. (Spoiler alert... Might be another Collab soon). 😉👍

[@andymiller4971]

Another cracking video, thanks for sharing, always interesting and easy viewing.

[@darrenfletcher6349]

Hi Paul and Rebecca,just discovered your channel a couple of weeks ago and slowly going through all your videos,really enjoying them all but especially this one as its my neck of the woods

[@saltleywsc]

Nice you had some good weather for a change !!

[@pwhitewick]

Yup, it certainly have us the opportunity to get some decent shots. 👍

[@johnbristow5665]

Highly unusual pullies and wire temains existed between canal bridge. And Drayton Station. Used to work signals round a bend in the.class. trip over it as its still there!

[@patcampton9799]

Think it's possible I travelled on this line as a child in the 50s and 60sas we used to go to Market Drayton from Yorkshire to visit relatives by train.

[@GhostTheory]

Beautiful video, really interesting. We might have a look that track looked awesome. Another fantastic video, love you guys :)

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers guys. Quite a beautiful spot. Your cinematography skills will be all over this!

[@erikmorrison2355]

I used to work as a railwayman in the early 2000s and during the wcml upgrade The track that splits of at madeley was used to store road rail vehicles The platforms and buildings were extant and on the other side of the bridge to the platform the line had points that headed a short way into the field

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Erik. 👍👍

[@montyburns56]

I walked along the Silverdale colliery line a couple of years ago and I sneaked across the section that goes over the WCML (a bit naughty I know) and I almost got caught by Network Rail workers and I had to hide behind a bush until they had passed! And this was after I had just passed one of those £200 fine for trespass notices! Anyway keep up the good work, I should imagine that this expedition will keep you both busy until retirement and beyond...

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Monty. Yup, we push things a little but tend to stick to signs were obvious, above all we are on KZbin so need to behave. 😁.

[@montyburns56]

@@pwhitewick Yep, leave the illegal stuff for off camera. :)

[@terryansell6641]

Very interesting video thank you from New Zealand

[@davidhackney6749]

First time I have seen one of your videos, excellent well done I really enjoyed the video.

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks David. Tell your friends and then get binge watching the rest! 😅👍

[@MePeterNicholls]

I’ve explored where this route goes and often fantasised it becoming a light rail tramway.

[@MePeterNicholls]

I think part of Madeley line was last used as coal route end of 80s. Saw video on YT

[@gregruthen3844]

Good stuff as usual

[@radioman1170]

What can I say? TOTALLY FANTASTIC and hope the copious amount of blurb I provided came in handy? Great to watch and looking forward to seeing the tunnel too.

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Leigh. Really eased you enjoyed it. Read the notes a little while back and then completely forgot to take them with us!.... Doh. Plenty more from the area to cover so we will of course be back. 👍👍

[@neilthomas9244]

Just amazed at all the transport links closed down.

[@pwhitewick]

Yup, perhaps too many in the first place, everyone competing against each other without any real central management, subsequently waaaay too many non-profitable lines.

[@EdenValleyAdventuresUK]

Great history of the railway loved the video.

[@pwhitewick]

Thank you. A very picturesque place indeed.

[@thomaswilliamholgate5239]

i enjoyd the vid

[@hairyairey]

I lived in Shropshire in the 80s and I was surprised there wasn't a line to Market Drayton. I think that it is now the largest town in the UK without a train station (Kenilworth used to hold that title). However, in January 2019 (according to en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoke_to_Market_Drayton_Line) the Campaign fro Better Transport released a report identifying the line to Wellington as priority 2 for reopening.

[@hairyairey]

bettertransport.org.uk/sites/default/files/research-files/case-for-expanding-rail-network.pdf actually Leek is even bigger!

[@southweststokie]

Some background on the bridge/station at Pipe Gate - I was raised in the village and have many railway related memories. Yes, the original (A51) road went under the bridge, but was bypassed in the seventies (if memory serves)...and you were right about the station masters house. Still there sitting next to what's left of the bridge. Original station was more of a commercial stop, to service a 'Creamery' and a coal yard. The Creamery took milk deliveries from the railway sidings - can't remember tankers, but maybe it was just churns from local farms. Could have been from quite a wide area including Market Drayton and beyond. Have childhood memories of seeing the trains and can recall the billowing steam and smoke. Our cream and butter etc came from that facility. Post Beeching, it changed to a rubber and plastics factory, which latterly made way for a new housing development. Thanks for posting

[@pwhitewick]

Brilliant thanks for sharing the information Miles. Absolutely what we love.

[@michaelpilling9659]

A super episode. What a shame this line has gone. I'm sure that in the current time, this line could probably be a viable proposition. Maps were very helpful understanding how the built up areas now look in comparison to the time when the line was operational

[@brcinemawm]

Rebecca you make me laugh 😄

[@MrBook123456]

great video

[@alanwarren2861]

Another enjoyable video. Keep 'em coming (and looking forward to when you visit East Anglia.......)

[@pwhitewick]

That's Alan. Yup the map is looking a bit sparse in your general direction!

[@alanwarren2861]

I live in Canada now but my roots are in East Anglia (a Cambridge man, born and bred)

[@garyblair1907]

Really enjoy your vids, hope you manage to do Alnwick To Cornhill and Alnwick to Alnmouth. Keep up the great work.

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Gary. Certainly looks worth exploring. 👍

[@garyblair1907]

co-curate.ncl.ac.uk/alnwick-to-cornhill-railway/

[@garyblair1907]

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornhill_Branch

[@garyblair1907]

Alnwick Station (I remember getting on a train there in the 60s) is now owned by Barter Books (Stuart Manley - a massive railway buff and really nice guy) its where the modern “Keep Calm” poster thing started! See their website www.barterbooks.co.uk

[@Sim0nTrains]

Really loved enjoying watching this once, since Staffordshire is Simon Poole county :p (well South Staffordshire is) but in all serious, it was really a great video, cannot wait for the tunnel video next week :)

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Simon. "Simon Poole County" 😅😂

[@simonblackburn6748]

I suspect the dodgy feckers know where to go for their scrap metal now! Good work though!

[@TheWacoKid1963]

12:08 that's the first time I've heard a non Geordie say Ta-Ra lol now try saying Canny Fettle 😍

[@barrythedieselelectricstea5217]

very interesting video 👍shame the railway didn't last very long keele park station only lasting 11 years

[@HenrysAdventures]

Another great video! Just up the road from me! I was very close to Brampton Halt the other day visiting a miniature railway in the park there. I'll look forward to seeing you videos when you do the rest of Stoke-on-Trent, some of the stations I've been to. Hanley is an interesting and unusual site!

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Henry

[@iantitley735]

I've got a lot of North Staffordshire Railways station drawings in my attic - railway architecture is a bit of a passion of mine, and as Henry says the Hanley station site is quite an unusual one as it was in a cutting and on a very tight curve that made it unavailable to some locos and rolling stock. Not much left there now sadly, but the station buildings were (after closure in the 1960's) used as the Zambesi Club - as a kid I can't tell you how curious I was about what went on in there!

[@racget130]

I visited Madeley road station the other day and it was very creepy

[@mistywolf312]

I have to admit I did cringe just a bit when you walked through the wild bluebell leaves in the wood down to the track, if you can go round them please do, or try dodging them, the native ones are getting rarer due to crossing with Spanish ones that are everywhere, as your going off grid what you are more likely to be walking through are the natives. Other than that nice to see you on the rails again.

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks for the info Misty. Never knew! We will certainly keep and eye out. Thanks for making us aware. 👍

[@dom1310df]

Plenty more disused stations for you guys to visit up here in North Staffordshire.

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Dominic. We will certainly be back. 👍👍

[@TIMMEH19991]

Guys! Nice weather for a change LOL!

[@pwhitewick]

Oooooooh Yes!!! The first of many right?

[@TIMMEH19991]

@@pwhitewick I predict another hot dry summer so.......ermmm yeah right!

[@Roblilley999]

Its Saturday evening. My other half is watching Casualty, I am watching two jolly chaps(esses) walking and driving round Staffordshire looking for things that are no longer there

[@pwhitewick]

However the things that aren't there have been there for less time than the things we normally look for that aren't there. I think. How's Casualty?!?!

[@MoseyingFan]

There's a lot of money lying around in the form of old rails. The Chinese pays a lot if it is prewar steel (pre-nucular age), so much so that scrappers in Asia dives down and cut up sunken warships marked as marine war cemeteries.

[@pwhitewick]

Well we assume that's certainly pre- nuclear. I wonder what the attraction is.

[@andrewphillips9391]

The connection to the WCML at Madeley was put in in the 1960s (possibly using earthworks from a previously abandoned scheme). This was to enable coal trains from Silverdale and around to run once the line between Newcastle & Stoke with its troublesome tunnels was closed. Coal trains continued until Silverdale colliery shut in 1998. I was on a railtour into there in November 1998, which I believe could have been the last train.

[@pwhitewick]

Tell me more of the troublesome tunnels good Sir

[@andrewphillips9391]

@@pwhitewick I believe it was caused by subsidence, and and the long tunnel was braced with old rails from the London Underground. Even before that, the single track tunnels had restricted clearances that had caused damage to rolling stock and poor ventilation led to unpleasant conditions for engine crews.

[@pwhitewick]

@@andrewphillips9391 thanks Andrew. I'll add this to my description on the tunnel video of the same line coming out tomorrow of that's ok?

[@andrewphillips9391]

@@pwhitewick that's fine. These tunnels are not accessible however, being filled in & sealed off. Incidentally, forgot to say my source for the above is The Stoke to Market Drayton Line by CR Lester. On your driveby for Hartshill, on the left, where the ground rises in the background with a playground in front of it, is the site of the cutting and tunnel

[@pwhitewick]

@@andrewphillips9391 yup that's the one. We went to that park and had a look around. Thank you

[@tedtimmis8135]

Back in 1882, my great great grandfather was struck and killed by a train at Stoke-on-Trent and I believe he was traveling to Market Drayton. I wonder if this was the same line.

[@pwhitewick]

Wow, I guess there is a very real possibility that might be the case. have you any further details?

[@tedtimmis8135]

Whitewick's Abandoned Railways Thanks for your reply. Years ago, I saw an old article from 1892 describing the event entitled “Shocking incident”. His name was Henry Houghton Timmis and he was a “cotton traveller”. The article indicated he was seen standing on the platform at Stoke and I believe it was around 10 pm. The next thing people heard was his screams of agony as he exclaimed, “The draft, the draft, the draft.” Later, an inquiry was held and it seemed people were baffled about what had happened. I live here in the US but my family has always been curious about the site of the incident. This led me to your videos which I enjoyed very much. I had actually planned to do a visit this summer but the outbreak of Covid 19 has put that on hold. If you have any information, I can be reached at [e-mail]. Again, thanks for your video.

[@chrisparkes7980]

You just missed the standing remains on the Keele to Audley branch in the woods not far from the bridge in Madeley.

[@chrisrich152]

I live in Madeley, telford & I've noticed you've mentioned Telford canal/tunnel & Madeley?????? Thomas Telford had massive links to the iron bridge???? Longtime subscriber Chris

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Chris. I don't recall that to be honest. So did Telford build the second Harecastle tunnel?

[@grimreaperbadboy]

Have u done wednesbury to Dudley line yet closed in 93

[@pwhitewick]

Not as yet. Worth adding to the top of our list?

[@jayh9529]

Great job have either of u looked into Tartarian architecture they build nice bridges

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Jay. No we haven't but now you mention it I think someone has told us about this before.

[@jayh9529]

Hope it was Martin zero great job Phoenician s were good builders too

[@firstname1lastname127]

I'm sure this joke is terribly original - Geoff and Vicki look different in this one...

[@terrier_productions]

Will you do the Cheddleton branch (Uttoxeter to Leek via Alton Towers, Denstone and Oakamoor) when Covid eases off? The section between Froghall (and kingsley) and Ipstones is currently preserved as the Churnet Valley Railway..

[@mickd6942]

Doing a short cut across the m6 lol

[@hairyairey]

The parkrun in question that runs through Silverdale is called The Wammy - www.parkrun.org.uk/thewammy/course/

[@simoncole9846]

In my home town we have two lost railway stations plus an abandoned tunnel. The villages that surrounded the town had stations too. It does make you think if no stations had closed would rail travel be better and faster than now?

[@pwhitewick]

A massive question. Potentially part of the issue back then was every station, every junction, every signal box was manned, the labour costs where massive. Times have changed, take a modern tram for an inner city, how many employees do you see per stop? I'm obviously voting yes.

[@simoncole9846]

@@pwhitewick Many years ago I got talking to a former British Rail worker his view was some would have gone in the end but others should have been saved and travel time could be halved has modern routes go the long way round to maximize profits. Now the government wants to build the HS train network that will require demolition of homes and business to speed up train times .

[@pwhitewick]

@@simoncole9846 very true. We have places that are 25 mins by car but 90 mins by train. Plus a lot more expensive. HS2 is designed to speed up the overall network so I am in favour, but agreed some old routes really shouldn't have been lost!

[@hairyairey]

@@simoncole9846 It's not just about speeding up train times it's about increasing capacity on the ECML, MML and WCML - that it in itself enables the re-opening of old lines.

[@tonycushen9372]

What you are doing is important.

[@pwhitewick]

Thank you Tony.

[@rogersmith9579]

While going through Dorset did you come across the "lipstick line" from blandford? .

[@pwhitewick]

Nope!... Pray tell more

[@bellyruffian]

Very enjoyable video and good to see places I know absolutely nothing about. You are both brilliant in these films and I feel like I know you as good mates now! Those rails, is it unusual to see them still in situ ? Cheers

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Chris glad you are enjoying the videos. We try and get the balance of us/history and railway mixed together! This was a rare treat for sure to see the rails. To be honest anything closed around the breeching era was snapped up, the only time we've come across in situ rails is when the line was used thereafter for freight.

[@bellyruffian]

@@pwhitewick The balance is perfect and a good formula all round I think. Certainly down where I am in Dorset it appears all the rails were ripped up with remarkable haste. My late dad was convinced that the closure of the railways and not mothballing them, was down to the power of the oil companies who want to get us all dependant upon the "infernal combustion engine". I think he might have been right. If ever you are down Wimborne way I'd love to stand you a cup of tea or three. Cheers

[@pwhitewick]

@@bellyruffian I am sure your father was right! 60+ years on we are as dependant as ever! Not sure who said it but "A prosperous society isn't one when it's cheaper for the poor to use their car than public transport". Drop us an email via the website if you have a chance. 👍

[@bellyruffian]

@@pwhitewick EXACTLY and I had a week in Poland recently and I was astonished at how good and cheap the public transport was and as it should be here. Have you done a film on Weymouth Quay? The rails are still in the road and it is ripe for a small heritage tramway, defies logic that it hasn't been done and it would be another popular attraction.

[@pwhitewick]

@@bellyruffian not as yet. We want to come down and do a few bits from Portland soon so might do then. I recall as a kid a Class 33 going down the quay.

[@darenhaines8830]

I'm not sure what keeps me watching your videos the most. My interest in railways, maps and history generally, or your wife's liking to wear tight leggings in most of your vlogs.

[@pwhitewick]

😅😂😂😂..... Perhaps a little mix of all those things!

[@ivancarter7564]

ok heres one for you , i heard there was a special railway line between malvern and " wales " the line was so im told to allow royal family to escape to canada any chance you can confirm or better still find it

[@annarboriter]

I think I have a much different feeling when I see valuable rail stock a-mouldering on the grounds. What is the motivation for a railway company to leave such valuable material to go to waste this way? Does the railway maintain the right of way by doing so? And what are the laws in the UK with regards to salvaging such material?

[@gailalways5945]

What year starting railway station in market Drayton where about it is this happen..it is where Morrison was by railway station then ?

[@racget130]

Me and my uncle did a video on the Market Drayton to stoke line on his channel which is djbangz 2020

[@racget130]

And we found a fifth tunnel

[@thomasmann9216]

Where is Episode 11?

[@pwhitewick]

I think we decided that was the Episode with Martin zero at Cadishead. I think!

[@newage3]

Tip top as usual - you should of walked through Keele long tunnel and walked along to the bridge over the M6 then on to Keele short (it looks worse than it is) - go have a look at this little lot from Thursday just gone:- www.flickr.com/photos/newage2/albums/72157707989343435

[@Leonard_Smith]

Some dodgy background music that sounds like it is being played at the wrong speed, but still a good video! And I think Rebecca should do the narration / voice-overs whilst -Michael- (Edited) Paul should stick to the videography. Not asking for too much am I? Well you never get if you don't ask, and there are still over 6,000 stations to go...

[@pwhitewick]

So many questions..... 😂... Which bit of music.... Who's Michael?

[@Leonard_Smith]

@@pwhitewick Sorry Paul, too busy taking in the sights and not the sounds. The opening piece of music is the worst for 'wrong speed' but it occurs again later in the video.

[@pwhitewick]

@@Leonard_Smith 😂😅..... You may jest but we might do a few Rebecca narrations.

[@Leonard_Smith]

@@pwhitewick Who said I was joking...you might have got me to the channel, but Rebecca is the reason I keep coming back...oh and the tunnels and railway stuff obviously!

[@pwhitewick]

@@Leonard_Smith she's the reason I keep coming back too.... 😉. We shall indeed be experimenting with narration.

[@microbusss]

whoa not wow why wasn't the tracks removed?

[@pwhitewick]

We think it's because the line was closed so late. I.e early 1990's. No great demand and more of a danger to remove them.

[@mikehitchen3153]

Track was left in place to allow MGR trains so they could travel up to the coal mines at Silverdale, the connection to the WCML was newly laid in the late 1960s when the through line closed.