Exploring the Abandoned Lydgate Tunnel and Delph Donkey Railway

[@MotoCoe]

We must have crossed paths a few times if you were around the bricky and tunnel in the 90s. Moved out of Grotton at the end of the 90s at 15 but have some of the best memories growing up there and working in Neil's shop on the main road when the pub was a pub and not a coop. And when the kids from Holts would come and nick your bike with impunity 😆

[@kevinjackson7340]

You come across as a genuinely enthusiastic, down to earth bloke, can`t ask for more than that.

[@likeher9]

This, and you should be a weekly feature on TV. Your films are very slick, and you are an absolute natural presenter. Thanks for all your hard work in bringing this brilliance to us. Cheers Ollie Daron

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Thanks Daron

[@scottc1589]

Brilliantly said! It's what I attempted to say in my comment, but better.

[@somebody9825]

10:42

[@johnthomas5966]

The reason we subscribe is because your vlogs are really interesting with your own special style

[@diowen2904]

This is fascinating to see under the tunnels, the water creates a world of its own. 😊

[@deepcuts2]

Fascinating, and a link to my own childhood that was dominated by the presence of rail and the dying age of steam.

[@seanoneill5969]

Just keep on making more of these videos. They're a great record and of interest to those of us who respect heritage and would like to see it preserved. Very nicely presented.

[@TheAfroGuitar]

Brilliant video Ollie. I also grew up in Grotton and use to explore around this tunnel as a kid... and we spent our summers in the brickworks quarry biking! Great to see this gem of a forgotten railway line and tunnel give the tribute it deserves.

[@lindsaypeterholden2701]

Excellent Video and History. My Grand Father worked at Glodwick Rd and Clegg St Stations.The Family moved to the NEW Abbeyhills Estate in about 1937.My Father and his Twin Brother born 1922, They came out of the Army and Navy in 1945.My Father worked at Measurements(actually began work there in 1937 up till in closed in 1987 ) and took the Train to Measurements every Day.My Uncle, became a Fireman on the Old Donkey based at Lees Sheds.He used to "Toot the Whistle" each time He passed Measurements.I attended Saddleworth School(Uppermill) untill 1968 and I think there was a Boy and his Sister called Lofthouse who lived in the Station House at Grotton!!!!!

[@stephenjackson4516]

I used to go through this tunnel as a kid in the 80’s. You used to be able to get in from the Grasscroft end but had to climb down the steep embankment. We used to go through with flaming oil soaked rags on sticks - which probably wasn’t a great idea. I remember well the orange mud. Great to watch as not much has changed.

[@simonfunwithtrains1572]

just watched this today, at the time of making, you were at 10k subscribers, I see you are now at 15.8k! So very well deserved, your films are amazing, they combine fellowship, fun, education and a reminder of all the folks that have gone before us and contributed their 'blood, sweat and tears', well done Ollie, and thank you. J & S

[@Karen-tm1ip]

Thanks for the video. I used to live in Lydgate around 1968 at 2 poplar avenue. Played in the fields all the time.

[@philmuskett265]

Very interesting, mate. You walked under where my wife used to live more than 60 years ago on Stockport Road, Lydgate. Well done.

[@stuartbuckley5810]

Very nostalgic. Now living as far from Lydgate as you can get - New Zealand. My wife (nee Woodhead) lived at the White Hart , Lydgate for 15 years until we were married in 1966. Next to the pub was one of the ventilation shafts. I lived at Nicker Brow, Dobcross, and hundreds of times watched the Delph Donkey as it left the mainline to go to and from Delph. My wife, as a child , was on the last journey of the train and coincidentally so was my father who as a councillor on Saddleworth Council was part of the official party! The Queen Mother's Royal Train once spent the night stopped on the line at Dobcross. Many thanks.

[@barrysteven5964]

Am I your first Russian subscriber? I love your videos.

[@BeeHereNowuk]

I'm not sure but you're very welcome!!

[@socklesslad]

I'm feeling left out - there wasn't any disused railway infrastructure like that where I was growing up. There was a building site at the end of the road for a couple of years but I digress! All that orange mud reminds me a bit of Harecastle South.

[@markfaz8689]

Ask some TV companies if they can use your videos as I think you have great presenting skills and the research you put into these videos are fantastic. 👍

[@lightplane]

I'm also from Oldham. Born in Glodwick and lived on Turner Street. I used to play on Manner Flats and the old railway embankment near John Street. The old Lees station platforms we're still there back then, and the cinder track bed. In Canada now but have found memories of Oldham. Love your channel and these videos.

[@kippen64]

Discovered your channel today and have already happily watched a few of your videos.

[@AlRaw94]

Having always been a saddleworth lad i always find its a good day going along the old railways and tunnels with a camera for a day and finding some great photos!

[@19bob53]

My wife had relatives in Delph when she was younger and used to talk about going on the Delph donkey. Note the mention of Sam Bamford, the site of his weavers cottage/house is across the road from us in Middleton, remember it before it was demolished.

[@philhumphreys5096]

Brilliant video, well researched and presented. You are a natural presenter. Keep up the good work.

[@paulmills6957]

Great video being local from Moorside always great to learn more about local history 👍

[@SuperEmpirical]

That was like reliving my childhood.

[@kipsome45]

Despite being very wet, Lydgate Tunnel is in much better condition than I’d expected. Great video, thanks.

[@seany84uk]

Ive said a few times this route would have been very useful today to add extra capacity to the Huddersfield line if the Oldham loop was kept open also. I also think a station at Lees / reopening it today would have been a good aid for the surrounding areas.

[@grahamholden3537]

Great video , my late uncle was a stoker on the donkey,and my dad worked at measurements, and got off at measurements halt from Glodwick

[@2e0btx]

Just to let you know I've binge-watched all your videos, like others have said your a natural presenter, and with a brill sense of Humour I grew up in Eccles and messed about on the ship canal, and the Bridgwater , love the content, on a side note I've been off work for 9 weeks with a bit of a breakdown going on and you really have helped to get me back on my feet, besides if I didn't watch your content it would have been Homes under the hammer .... Thanks again and keep up the good work

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Thanks very much. That means a lot. I'm glad your enjoy the vids 👍

[@cierancoupe244]

I'm from around Saddleworth and had no clue that tunnel existed. Cool video!

[@lightplane]

Also. My grandma used to live on breeze hill and you could see the church and row of houses at Lydgate. The vent for the tunnel was behind the church. She said you could see smoke from trains coming up and it looked like it was coming out of the church spire, making the church and row of houses look like a train. As a kid we always called the church and houses the Lydgate Train.

[@johnprice5784]

Try looking for the old Micklehurst loop line that ran from Stalybridge to Diggle via Staley & Millbrook - Micklehurst - Friezland - Uppermill. That could make a nice video as there were lots of old bits of infrastructure still around thirty years ago, including the station house/ platform in Uppermill itself. Love the work, keep them coming as you go places I can no longer reach due to disabilities. I go past the mill at Delph three or four times a week at least, the little sod who burned it down "for fun" should have been flogged.

[@thehowveryinterestingradio6227]

Love the Ghostbusters 2 reference plus the shirt! Another brilliant tunnel video Ollie!

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Haha thanks mate!

[@petersimms4982]

All the resources and specialist people the bbc have and they can’t even create anything half as tremendous as you have. Give yourself a good pat on the back . Brilliant:)

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Wow thanks very much

[@JoJo-yt1ys]

Love your videos sir. So wholesome to me. Keep up the cracking work x

[@jbconno]

Very interesting indeed, currently sat in my lounge in Grotton looking across at The White Hart at Lydgate and always wondered where the tunnel ends are. Keep up the great videos.

[@Duranie9]

Got to have my late night disused railways fix. Thanks this was very enjoyable. 🚂 🙂

[@tikkathreebarrels]

I haven't before heard you allude to getting past fences to get into disused tunnels but well done on another fascinating video.

[@grahamrobinson3715]

Thanks for the video. Love the channel. Always a great mix of well-researched factual information and your personal reactions, reflections and memories. Thanks for sharing.

[@calvers01]

Lived in Grotton - good memories. Good video.

[@bryan3550]

Fascinating stuff, Ollie! Just love the way you manage to re-materialise beyond locked gates and fences... 🪄

[@jonathanpileckis3877]

Great vid. Grew in Grasscroft so we used to explore the other end of the Groton tunnel.

[@FredWilbury]

So glad I found your channel another enjoyable video great history thanks ps great footage for railway modelling 👌😎

[@Royal_Mistress27]

I absolutely love these videos do much taking a trip down memory lane thank you buddy

[@damedavidfrith55]

Ye what you produce is good quality and very interesting and can see your enjoyment shines through

[@JulianBeckton]

Really interesting - thanks for doing this. I grew up in Grotton myself - I'm just old enough to remember the last few weeks of trains on the line. Actually I suspect the trains I saw were mainly engineering trains taking up the tracks. Shame really. Still the old line with all its derelict structures became a great playground for us kids! We all told each other the station house was a haunted house - it did have a very gothic look before it got renovated. It does seem a pity that the tunnel can't be reused as a cycle track or something, but I think it's probably too wet and too far gone to be renovated now. For the person who asked below, I'm fairly sure that the B&W picture at 05:27 is Brookside Avenue under construction. Thanks again for posting. Now to check out the rest of your vids.

[@francismewton3276]

Thank you for a wonderful place and video

[@kikass666]

My son lives just above this next to white heart. Great tunnel, I was told be a local that Lydgate tunnel was in West Yorkshire when it was built and closed. This old timer told me about when he went to bed in one county and woke up in another. He was still upset about it !

[@stevenstopford9847]

Fantastic interesting video thanks for sharing 👍

[@martinmcsherry1303]

Brilliant video. Keep up the good work. And keep them coming :)

[@easytiger652]

Keep exploring.👍

[@vitopr76]

Great vid as allways keep up the good work love the history you give old maps etc 👌

[@InfernoTuna]

Fantastic videos. I love the bits of history you add in

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Cheers thanks

[@marklawson8346]

Great and interesting video Ollie 👍🏻

[@limeykl]

Wythenshawe born but living in Florida now…love your videos thanks!

[@philcarter2577]

thanks for video.when i was a kid i had a tunnel a mile from where i lived (Baynards,surrey)and visited it last year.It brought back happy memories for me.funny how most have ghosts attached.

[@simonballard6413]

I really like your videos - particularly the tunnel ones! You never let them get boring, either. More, please!

[@andrewmarsden9486]

I live in the USA now, spent my childhood always playing out on that railway between clarksfield and Lees back in the 70s.

[@Joemakesthings]

Really interesting video, keep up the great work.

[@barrydevonshire9749]

I love the music you use

[@vickyking3408]

Very interesting stuff you do

[@scottc1589]

You're closing in on 12,000 subscribers bee-cause you do great work! Your vlog is interesting, educational and fun to watch.

[@20PhantoM07]

Enjoyed this one mate I loved the Ghostbusters bit lol I went into a similar tunnel recently here in Wales it was awesome you’d have loved it. The Mill you shown us at the end was fascinating too.

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Cheers thank you!

[@basfinnis]

I thought it said you grew up in then read it properly, doh 😀 Looks amazing. The amount of skilled Labour that went into building them! Thanks

[@simonrichardson5077]

nice work,thanks lad

[@chargeriderepeat7024]

Great stuff. Those overhead vents stir some discomfort in my mind as you pass under them.

[@rubbershorts999]

Another fascinating video. Thank you Ollie. Your videos are fantastic

[@mal_752]

Very interesting video. Great editing 👏👏👏👏

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Thank you very much 👍👍

[@mikesquire6641]

I'm from Lydgate, born '53, and we used to walk through as a bit of a dare whilst at St Anne's school (still trains in then!). Don't remember meeting your mum though! I always thought the Delph Donkey was the name of an engine.

[@mikeclarke3882]

Thanks for that Ollie, as always very interesting, a bit cheeky, and tonnes of info. Love the Brass Band soundtrack! Stay happy and healthy!

[@garethparr9482]

Great video pal. Love Victorian railway architecture

[@wonkdonk3844]

Ahh home sweet home.. Bee Here Now, Grotton/springhead where my stomping grounds growing up (now live NE Scotland). yes we was in the same year at school.. i last walked through the tunnel about 3 days before they installed the fence so yh 25+ years ago... the right side of the portal (grotton side) not looking to good! Gg on the subs! your vids are very educational and fun to watch!

[@Cowley46]

Enjoyed that, very interesting.

[@rubbishsignup]

Another great upload.

[@mrquimshaw]

Nice work

[@simonbradshaw3708]

Some more railway heritage videos would be really interesting. Thank you for sharing your adventures.

[@peterbrameld696]

A great video, magic how do you suddenly appeared in the tunnel despite the fence! Well done a victory for common sense.

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Thank you!

[@ianslater5550]

Delph station used to house a small private collection of locos and rolling stock. I remember seeing it there probably late 60s/early 70s.

[@TroyTempest0]

another great video lad - really loved it...

[@platty-wv8uk]

My grandparents live around the corner, and my grandad always took me to the opening and we always wondered if there was anything left inside the tunnel.... i would love to walk the tunnel

[@turnerthemanc]

23:49 walked here loads of times and didnt know it was the delph donkey line. This bridge and buttresses are at the very back of Newbank Garden centre car park. There is a nice walk up on the railway, or below to Uppermill centre along the canal and cross the river on the stepping stones.

[@jonnygaynon8861]

Great video. Just moved back to the area, will have a mooch round this route mysen!

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Thanks. Good luck mate 👍👍

[@iancropper8356]

I think you should look at the Royton link. I used to walk to work down the disused trackline.

[@pauldavid22212]

Can’t beat a good tunnel 👍

[@totherarf]

..... other than a good Factory? ;o)

[@mikehallows354]

Very interesting mate

[@thoughtsonfitness3249]

I don’t miss walking in sludge …. It’s an active tunnel, but if you get a TVP… Corby Tunnel …. I call it ‘Wet and Dry’…. 😉

[@suesmith4366]

Loved this very interesting, don’t know much about the other side of the Pennines but learning fast. Not missing going through the tunnel though 😮 and to go all that way to a ten foot drop 😱 amazing to see the nature taking over in the tunnel😎

[@Davejezz]

Another great video Ollie, thanks for that. Any news of a trip to see Lockwood viaduct in Huddersfield?

[@gre4ny214]

I haven't been in Grotton tunnel since 93

[@laurenceskinnerton73]

Interesting.

[@rontanser9369]

Thank you very much that was very interesting you get to see places that’s off the beaten track, Many congratulations on getting did you say 10,000 subscribers , and as regards your age You still only look as though you’re in your early 30s so you’re doing well there as well

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Thanks very much!

[@hyperballadbradx6486]

Do you have a skeleton key or something?? Haha - great videos. Just watched the Oldham one too

[@yungpep]

Hitchhikers reference 👍🏻

[@BuzbyWuzby]

Fantastically curved bridge = a cyclic arch

[@jetsons101]

Olli if you enjoy the work you do it's not work. Love the "Rag-Time music at 1:50 Maybe include some pic's of yourself as a kid running around the county side. Great use of B&W photos to help tell the story, thanks. Is that big pool at 5:30 still there? ""It's all fenced up, lets see if we can get in"" Priceless...... Just think of all the work to quarry, cut/shape, transport, dig and then set the stone/bricks, amazing......and how many tunnels were built like that? This was a GEM, thanks for the hours of work you put into you videos for us to view.

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Cheers Mike. You're always full of nice compliments.

[@jetsons101]

@@BeeHereNowuk They are well earned.....

[@markcharles3969]

I do hope you let people know where you are going...if you come a cropper in one of these ...?.anyway, another great vid and loved the dedication at the end

[@SatanSlayerUK]

Is goaty still there with the bike tracks? Ooh there wasn't a fence last time I was there

[@2H80vids]

Another excellent episode, very interesting.😁👍 If I might make a suggestion: would it be possible to put captions on the old b+w photos? Nothing complicated, just the location would help. It seems a shame, going to the trouble of researching/finding these gems, then leaving us to guess the locations.😁 Just a thought. Cheers for now, Dougie.

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Yes I will start doing that I think

[@nigelkthomas9501]

This could easily be converted into a Metrolink line. Be great to see it used again!

[@chrisgrant1029]

A Metrolink line to where? Grotton, Lees and Lydgate all have bus links to Huddersfield and Oldham

[@robinnicholson4009]

Right at The start was a brief view of some canal lockgates. Huddersfield narrow canal??

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Yes in uppermill

[@CharpyTheHedgehog]

Ollie a video idea could be to do the meaning and history of Manchester slang words like ginnel or yonner. A bit like you did in the Manchester place name video! :)