Exploring an Abandoned Apocalyptic Railway in Birkenhead

[@mfcsecaebc]

Hi Andy. Interesting to see what we used to call "The Sough" (pronounced suff). It was decidely dodgy back then with all sorts of rubbish chucked over the side but obviously not overgrown. I was a Driver back in the 80s and used to work regularly over the route. By then the traffic was greatly reduced from its heyday but still quite varied. Our daily trip would convey flour for the mills, household coal for the coal depot at Birkenhead North, occasional scrap for Smiths yard (next to Canning Street signal box) and paper for the black sheds on the Great Float. Outward traffic in my day was limited to coal off Bidston Dock, mainly for Fiddlers Ferry power station and Bitumen traffic (from Pan Ocean on the Wallasey side of the float) to Preston Dock. To answer a couple of questions. Yes, there were originally four lines. In fact, the docks were so busy "back in the day" that there were four lines all the way from Birkenhead to Ledsham, just the other side of Hooton. The Iron Ore trains you mentioned was actually ore destined for the likes of Etruria in the Midlands with train starting either at Bidston Dock or at Duke Street. The Shotwick traffic (Shotton Steel Works) went direct from Bidston Dock via the Wrexham line, up through Neston. Here's a link to a photo of the signal gantry and by sheer coincidence I was driving. Stay safe on your travels. www.flickr.com/photos/feversham/5047354492/in/faves-133446941@N05/

[@Supernorthwest]

Hi mate, thank you for watching the film and giving us a wonderful insight into the runnings of the line back in the day. Sad how it is today but what a wonderful photo that is of the crossing with you at the helm💪 That one is now on my laptop background. Cheers, Andy

[@grahampatterson2818]

Great video Andy. I'm 64 and during the 60's we lived there by the docks and me and my brother and mates used to walk down there as kids and I even remember us jumping up onto the guards carriages at the back of the trains. Remember the signal box and also, my late step dad was a train driver on these lines before driving merseyrail.

[@Stefanuccio9]

Thanks Andy, interesting, informative and fascinating. 👍🏼

[@markcharles3969]

They could make that whole area into an amazing entertainment complex..bars restaurant etc and still retain the history. Great vid

[@Supernorthwest]

Yeah ,just like over in Liverpool with the 10 streets project near the new Everton ground.

[@christoffjones8154]

Do you know what Mark I was thinking the EXACT same thing

[@markcharles3969]

They did it with Dearnsgate locks in Manchester and its really busy.not my kind of thing but if it stops things getting demolished why not

[@U2021-k4c]

It's being flattened soon with the site of the old gas works for a new housing estate.

[@majorpygge-phartt2643]

That's just what we DON'T need! There's plenty of them already all over the place and they make far too much appalling noise. Instead that overgrown open area should be made into a nature reserve or some kind of park with a railway theme, like the one at Horwich near Bolton. And yobs on community payback should have to clear it, that would keep them off the streets for a while.

[@alansouthall8221]

great video, what a wonderful space that could be 😢

[@PatrickBrowne-b1e]

Thanks - fascinating. Grange Lane Station building was later used by an engineering company, hence the name over the door. Our next door neighbour in Heswall worked there.

[@Supernorthwest]

glad you enjoyed pal. thanks for watching👍

[@booveedoo]

Andy. This is a fantastic bit of footage. I`d really love to walk the path you have here, but you`ve captured it superbly. Oh how I wish I had a time machine! I know there are plans for regeneration in parts of the town and have heard that this part of the line will be built into some sort of walkway/path. Surely this has huge potential in being made in to a great site seeing walk and retaining all the fantastic brickwork etc you`ve captured. 30 years of crap built up. It does make you wonder how some of that has got so far into those tunnels without being driven into there. Anyway, thanks again. Hope for another in a few years time, with positive changes. Although, if it does happen, won`t have the same appeal as being abandoned like it is now!!

[@sarahgaskell6538]

I’ve heard mumbling that Wirral Council want to buy/have bought this land. They have grand ideas of creating a fancy walk way, picnic benches sort of thing. Whether it will happen is anyone’s guess especially as WBC are close to bankruptcy but you never know.

[@davidcox9881]

Great video Andy. Watching throughout isn’t it a shame that the council couldn’t clean the place up and make it a wildlife haven letting people and local schools visit the place. They could learn about the amazing history that Birkenhead has to offer and also what nature to.

[@Supernorthwest]

@@davidcox9881 hopefully they will sort something out with it as I think Birkenhead in general has been neglected 👍

[@ianchristopherson1973]

This is a great vid, nice one mate!

[@williamanderson5437]

Thanks Andy. Just goes to show that several councils have totally neglected Birkenhead over the decades and are responsible for this disgraceful decline. Peel developments are only interested in £ & Liverpool. Liverpool historically incidentally owes it's very existence to Birkenhead, and the six Monks from Birkenhead Priory, operating the original ferry service over the 'Mercian border'..

[@Supernorthwest]

Thank you for watching mate. As a lad from the other side in Liverpool, I spent many happy days out as a kid on wirral and also lived there for a number of years. It truly breaks my heart to see places left to rot. Hopefully future regeneration programmes will change all this👍

[@Joey-qj7ow]

@@Supernorthwest this stretch is currently part of the 2040 regeneration plan and its going to be used a green pathway through the town centre to the seafront

[@yobeatthat85]

All the developments are in progress, hopefully we can see a revival of Birkenhead, over the last ten years it's literally gone to s@#t

[@terrydobbins928]

@Joey never going to happen

[@PreservationEnthusiast]

There still looks a lot that can be busted up here. I'm sure the Urbex Liverpool vandals will be taking the ferry over to smash up the remnants soon. They do though, don't they though, la' !? Scouse boy Urbex smashcrews rool!

[@GiantmanUK]

Well done Andy! Great film,really enjoyed it,music was good too! You shouldve looked inside the tent! Big shame of all the rubbish dumped and graffiti real pity.Keep up the good work with the films cheers

[@Supernorthwest]

Thank you👍

[@wasntme3269]

Thanks Andy good feeling video

[@big9943]

Fascinating we played in the monks tunnel when we where kids very spooky when your nine

[@wrcfreak2121]

Iron ore went along the Bidston to Wrexham line from Bidston Dock. The sidings and rails are still on place near the filled in dock. We used to collect the purple iron ore when kids on the Noctorum Estate and I can still remember the thunder of the goods trains during the night.

[@moboz77]

Loved it, how fascinating is this. Lived in Oxton, Rock Ferry, Bromborough - just devastated with the amount of rubbish and the lack of investment. My dad worked for unilever as a building manager and used to point out the different things he had built with pride. He would be mortified at this. Well done you brave lad ;)

[@Supernorthwest]

Thank you so much for watching Dottibint ! X your dad is a real legend for being proud of the things he helped build. Long live the proud people of our great north west x

[@historiusmaximus]

The first time I noticed those tracks was when I looked over the wall on Argyle Street. Always wanted to go down and check them out but never got round to it. I did go down the tunnels that stretch from the old flyover down to Woodside back in the late 80s. Good times

[@Paultrfc1]

Alrite Andy , I just got in from work and thought I’d see what’s happening on KZbin, this was recommended, tbh I thought it would be boring & I only watched it because I’m from Birkenhead, got to hold my hands up and say it’s was brilliant, liked and Subbed , looking forward to catching up on the back catalogue

[@Supernorthwest]

Nice one mate, thanks for taking the time to watch and glad you enjoyed it. All the best 👍

[@jonty4664]

Much appreciate 👍🏻

[@richardburton2726]

Another brill history and heritage video...topman...

[@Supernorthwest]

Cheers Richard! Thank you so much for watching the film. Glad you enjoyed mate👍

[@1926brady]

Yeah looked it mate just watched the Warrington canal vid very good 👍

[@Andymac1701A]

I remember listening to the freight trains down the hill passing by Green Lane on to Rock Ferry. That was in the 70's. Hopefully, they will turn it in to a park (current plan). They have recently ripped up the tracks on Corporation Road. Thank you so much for making this film, I have always wondered what it was Luke down there.

[@Supernorthwest]

Hi Andy, thank you for taking the time to watch the film. Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers,Andy👍

[@samboyle4779]

lived in sidney road as a child until i was 11 i am 62 now

[@sarojamillott4027]

It is heart breaking to see the railway line in this neglected condition. In 1972, with many Malaysian school leavers, I left home to fill the gap of staffing the NHS. In those days Britain recruited potential nurses from its old colonies and we were some who answered that call. At every check points( in our journey to our individual destinations) we had coordinators in London who would put us into the correct trains that would take us to our training hospitals. I remember vaguely travelling from London to Liverpool and then changing to Birkenhead. This must have been that train station where I got out to catch the taxi to St Catherine's hospital. Today, the geopolitical change is causing many British to fill the gap for teachers in international schools, in my country. Some are humble and some arrogantly believe that they deserve royal treatment. Guess who are popular.

[@Supernorthwest]

Hi Saroja, I commend you on your journey to my great country to work in our once great health service. Things here have really been managed to a decline by the conservatives since the early 80s. The Blair government was just a watered down version of Thatcherism. Merseyside amongst other regions has suffered total devastation at the hands of these people. I look forward to a revitalised train of thought on society. Thank you so much for watching my film and wish you all the best. Kind regards,Andy

[@stephenharrison6428]

Excellent. Lovely video. Very interesting

[@andywilliams7323]

I know a fair bit about the route. But have never explored it. So this video was very interesting. The original route from Chester to the original Birkenhead Grange Station Terminus underneath the roadway flyovers was engineered in the 1830s by the famous George Stephenson and opened in 1840. As you said, in 1844 the Birkenhead Grange Terminus was removed and the line extended through into a new underground tunnel, which made a very shallow right-hand curve before emerging into daylight at the Monks Ferry Terminus right in front of the bank of the River Mersey. Now a residential block and mini industrial park. This tunnel is now mostly fully filled in. And the parts of it which aren't are only accessible by locked manhole covered ladders. In 1847 the Birkenhead Docks Branch Line extension was opened. The route you walked down. The extension making a very shallow left curve from the original Birkenhead Grange Terminus towards the docks. The cutting and underpasses beneath the streets was known as the Sough (pronounced suff). It was originally 4 tracks. 2 (still remaining) tracks running together through the wider underpasses. And 2 (now removed) tracks, running separately through each of the 2 separated narrower underpasses, next to the wider underpass. At the Mersey Tunnels ventilation shaft building (18:45) The 4 tracks diverged at Brook Street Junction. 2 of the tracks continued straight on towards the north and east sections of the docks. That route no longer exists having long been fully re-developed upon. The other 2 tracks curved left towards Tower Road and the south and west sections of the docks. The route you continued to walk down. Once at the docks, all the tracks further branched into lots of various tributary lines snaking around all the different sections and areas of the docks. The main 2 tracks continuing over Tower Road and running alongside Corporation Road (23:12 - 23:30). Continued to Bidston Dock at the very southwest of the docks. Where in 1896 the tracks were connected to West Kirby and New Brighton branches of the Mersey Railway at Bidston East Junction. And also continued just west of Bidston East Junction, through Bidston Station to Bidston West Junction. Where the Mersey Railway West Kirby branch links to the originally named Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay Railway. Now called the Borderlands Line. The Borderlands Line still runs through Shotton in North Wales to Wrexham in North Wales. Where it connects with other Welsh railway routes. So it was actually the Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay Railway (Borderlands Line) which ran iron ore from Bidston Dock to the John Summers Steelworks at Shotton. Not the Chester to Birkenhead Railway. Lastly in 1878 at the old Birkenhead Grange Station site, another underground tunnel extension was opened. Beginning immediately to the left of the tunnel to Monks Ferry Station. This virtually straight underground tunnel led out into daylight at the very grand Woodside Terminus Station just North of Monks Ferry Station. At which point Monks Ferry Station was then closed to passenger traffic. Both The Great Western Railway and British Rail ran services between Woodside and London Paddington. Woodside was closed in 1967 and later demolished as part of the Beeching Axe. The site is now an industrial park and drive in open-air cinema. The tunnel is partially filled in halfway up its height. But is still walkable if you're will to remain crouched. However, the west entrance at the Birkenhead Grange station site is blocked by a locked gate. And the East entrance where Woodside station was is bricked up.

[@Supernorthwest]

I would love to have you as an adviser for my channel, as I think your knowledge is so vast. I do this for no profit and anyone who has this knowledge is welcome to jump on board and share 👍

[@neil6545]

Hi Andy , very interesting - I had no idea all of this was there. Excellent bit of local history.

[@Supernorthwest]

hi Neil, I only discovered it at the time on google earth. I should be out and about again soon as ive had to move house. Thank you for taking the time to watch.

[@majorpygge-phartt2643]

It's 30 years this year since this line was closed in about 1993, if what I've heard is accurate. And I can remember it still in use and I often went down there to birkenhead and walked around where it was from early 1989 but I never saw any trains in action on that line. And someone should get a bunch of yobs on community payback to clear that line and make it into something decent like some kind of museum or heritage centre.

[@windsorSJ]

I used to walk over this line at Price Street each morning and afternoon. I always wondered where it went. I didn't imagine it was so extensive. I remember the steam engines that used to work the docks. I grew up in the 60's when Birkenhead docks were really busy. Ships coming and going all the time. Crossing the 4 bridges back then could be frustrating.

[@Supernorthwest]

I love all the old photos of the docks. Fascinating how busy the place was back in the day. Thank you for watching 👍

[@lauriehartley9808]

Andy thanks for this. I was born and raised on Beaufort Rd (the dock road) which runs from Corporation Rd up to Wallasey Bridge Rd. The railway line was across the road from our front door just past the graving dock. My dad Len was a steel erector and worked on building the iron ore cranes on Bidston dock. His last job before he retired was at Shotton Steel works. The engineering and workmanship of those underpasses was world class for its time. It is a tragedy that it has been allowed to degenerate to such an extent. For me it is very sad. The people who were responsible for its management and subsequent demise ought to be ashamed of themselves. It should be a national treasure. Thanks again for the video. It brought back happy memories - the West float was my playground in the 1950’s.👍

[@Supernorthwest]

Cheers Laurie ! Thank you so much for taking the time to watch and I am glad to hear it brings back happy memories for you. As a Liverpool lad it is only in later life that I have started to discover the wonderful history on the other side of the water and the epic scale of the people, industry and absolute amazing architecture of the area. I now have a hunger for more adventures across the river. Without Birkenhead and monks ferry, there would be no Liverpool. all the best, Andy 👍

[@OscarCarew]

It’s all different now it’s more grown where you walked but on the left all that overgrowth is gone a lot of the trees are gone

[@Alans6563]

My dad was the signalman in Canning Street North signal box for many years right up until it closed. I've been in it many times myself. It saddens me to think it got burnt down and demolished.

[@Supernorthwest]

@@Alans6563 yes it’s an absolute disgrace mate. I bet it was fun going up into the box with your Dad!

[@Alans6563]

@Supernorthwest for me as a kid it certainly was but my dad wasn't enjoying it so much in the end. It declined down to the point of he was only seeing about three trains a day and boredom became a bit of an issue for him. So much so that he made a sort of novelty rock garden in the area around the signal box to pass the time and he actually made it into the rail news newspaper for it. I've got copies of the article.

[@terryr4648]

I remember as a young YTS trainer at on day release at college on Laird Street I'd walk down to the docks, the line at that point was still in use it would have been 1988, such a shame it's gotten into this state

[@doegreendesignworkshop5444]

Great video, very interesting place.

[@davidbrown4140]

Me and my mate chris were train guards at birkenhead north, about 1987,and had a days"refresher"walking the whole section of line between rock ferry and canning street, and,there was! someone in a tunnel section, lying down,moved!, we cacked ourselves and promptly continued..still laugh about it still...(and we had to sign the signalmans occurance book at canning street to prove to our sceptical traffic manager we had walked the line,and not skived off to the boozer..which we promptly did straight after..."the bloodtub"pub,over the road from birkenhead north station...

[@Supernorthwest]

Haha great story mate. Still scary down there today👍

[@train4905]

Dear sir. Ive just found your video. I live on the wirral,and i Found this absolutely Fantastic. I allways wondered where this railway worked its way through Birkenhead. Thanku for posting.

[@Supernorthwest]

Thank you for watching Stephen! 👍

[@whitecompany18]

Never knew it was there and I'm only in New Ferry , great vid mate.

[@Supernorthwest]

Cheers mate. You never know whats just below or over a wall. Glad you enjoyed it👍

[@LouisaYoung-d9b]

Brilliant video Andy 🎉

[@Supernorthwest]

Thank you for taking the time to watch. Glad you enjoyed 👍

[@showmanpete2805]

hard to think that something this amazing is no longer in use, as a leeds lad I used to love working in Liverpool, the people and the city are/is so welcoming, I would've loved to have seen the docks area is it's busy times...great vid thanks for sharing

[@Supernorthwest]

Thank you for watching. Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@christoffjones8154]

Andy, another fantastic production. As a 20 year railway man I’m astounded that that bullhead rail, the base plates and even the oak wooden keys are still there, the lads on the railway love the wooden keys and will often take them home when we’ve ripped a sidings out and renewed it because they are perfect for wood burning stoves haha. I agree with a gentlemen in the comments also. This area could be a pop up market/art gallery/bars and street food plaza. And it would be brilliant because it’s Merseyside and you guys are good at things like this ... looking forward to the next one Andy !!!

[@Supernorthwest]

Cheers mate. I think those lines that still survive are a credit to you lads past and present. It looked to me that someone had tried removing one and probably give up. I used to service generators for the network rail lads,top blokes. And yes I hope that they put that to good use,Birkenhead could sure do with an economy boost right now.

[@christoffjones8154]

@@Supernorthwest thanks pal we do our best haha, also up to a few years ago Top brass turned a blind eye to us taking scrap bits of rail, base plates, chair screws etc after a renewal job to take to the scrap yard for a bit of coin, it was tit for tat, us lads got a few quid and the site got tidied at no cost to the railway, then some bright spark deemed it a no no and even visited scrap yards to tell them not to take any rail scrap (if caught, fines etc) ... now there is crap laying around everywhere and have to get people in to clear it up ... someone worked out that at the height of steel prices a single bullhead base plate was worth about £3 at the scrappy ...get a few hundred of them in the transit van it’s serious coin ... not that I’m talking out of experience Andy haha

[@Supernorthwest]

Haha,class that mate. There is always some jobsworth that spoils it. Bet they are not out all hours and weather grafting.

[@jaycee6996]

I know you are a big guy, Andy, but I would seriously consider doing this sort of stuff with at least one other. If anything went wrong down there it could be a long time before you got help. Excellent enjoyable video. Liverpool seems to have a lot of fascinating well-hidden early railway places.

[@Supernorthwest]

I agree jaycee. I did have a couple of mates on the first visit but had some camera issues and lost all the footage🙁 So chanced it going back to film again. Glad you enjoyed and thanks for watching👍

[@jaycee6996]

@Adam Kennedy You can meet the wrong people or have an accident anywhere. Not impressed by your comment about Liverpudlians.

[@damienparsons8662]

You're a braver man than me, going there alone! Really interesting. Ta

[@wrcfreak2121]

Great footage Andy and well done making it through

[@Supernorthwest]

Cheers👍

[@stevenbanowich8089]

Brilliant thanks 😊

[@boyfromblackstuff7859]

Thanks for posting this,can just imagine a 9F working hard on an ore train to John Summers Ltd.Visited Birkenhead docks in the early 80s,most of the railway infrastructure was still extant at both Birkenhead+Liverpool ,REA Handling Ltd?ran the ore terminal, fascinating subject!

[@Supernorthwest]

Yes, REA ran its old locos at the ore terminal. There are a few pics on the net of four of the shunter engines redundant and boarded up around 1983. Thank you for taking the time to watch the film👍

[@kevintucker8564]

Just beautiful work

[@Supernorthwest]

Thank you Kevin. Thank you for watching this and happy that you enjoyed it👍

[@terinac5082]

Absolutely fascinating. Thank you.

[@Supernorthwest]

Thank you for watching👍

[@normanyates6735]

Thanks Andy for a fascinating tour, funny that the rails and signal Gantry were left behind considering the scrap value?.

[@Supernorthwest]

Thank you Norman👍It seems that everything else that can be carried has gone but some of the rails in the tunnel have been detached but left. So glad they couldnt lift em and have them away. Such an amazing place mate. Thank you for watching,Andy

[@OscarCarew]

I saw a network rail van driving in there today

[@Supernorthwest]

I think they clear the overgrowth now and again. But it would be great if they had plans for it.

[@OscarCarew]

@@Supernorthwest I heard they are making a park there but I don’t know if the plans will go ahead but luckily I wasn’t down there when I saw the van I was on a bus

[@OscarCarew]

There is an article on the echo that came out on Saturday about here and the park they want to make here

[@Supernorthwest]

@@OscarCarew do you have an internet link for this bro ?

[@OscarCarew]

@@Supernorthwestit’s another article that came out today I

[@phil-zz5hk]

thanks andy . dads brother was a train driver on the docks and the underground for well over 40 years there . i remember as a kid my dad would hold me up on the bridge on cleveland st to look over the wall at his steam train heading down to central station .

[@phil-zz5hk]

just got told he was 57 years on the trains total . 1946 - 2004 . he was 1st aid instructor for the last few years .

[@Supernorthwest]

Ahh brilliant memories there mate. It was men like him who were backbone of Merseyside. Thank you for taking the time to watch it👍

[@phil-zz5hk]

@@Supernorthwest ❤

[@garynightingale7923]

@@phil-zz5hk was your Dad called Bob?

[@bluenose1744]

Fantastic brickwork. No idea it was like this. If in London it would be used for shops etc. thanks mate.

[@Supernorthwest]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@blinddiver63]

I remember the trains running along there after coming over Duke Street bridge and along Corporation Road, i’ve been meaning to walk along there myself at some point, great video

[@Supernorthwest]

Its worth taking a look down there as not sure how much longer there will be access. Thanks for watching, Andy

[@johnwhite2112]

Great video Andy, found it very interesting being a Birkenhead lad. 👍

[@Supernorthwest]

Thanks for watching mate. Glad you enjoyed it, all the best👍 Andy.

[@daffyduk77]

brilliant explore and video thanks

[@christopherbruchez8040]

Great little film Andy, loved that. Lots of fascinating infrastructure still here, that railway looks to be almost mothballed, wouldn’t take much to reinstate the line. Like you say, iron ore traffic from Bidston to Shotton until the ships became too big for the west float & moved over to the bulk terminal in L’pool.

[@Supernorthwest]

Cheers Christopher. Lots have the view it should be used for bars and shops. A nice little tramway running through would be good,car free zone.

[@carld9451]

They are incredible structures underground like the piramds they are millions and millions of bricks set it's baffling on how they done it back then unreal big time

[@wasntme3269]

Thank you for that Andy enjoyd it a lot 👍👏

[@Supernorthwest]

Happy you enjoyed it. Im trying to find some more interesting place so hopefull more to come. Thank yo,Andy👍

[@jeremywilliams5107]

Lived there 20 years, never knew it existed.

[@jesswilkinson1118]

Nostalgia in this video, I used to live In Livingstone street that runs off corporation road opposite the south Atlantic building and the house I lived in had since been knocked down too it’s quite strange going there now considering how busy it was when I was younger, in fact the goal post is still on the wall where morans cash and carry was that we made when we were kids lol 😂

[@U2021-k4c]

The flyover used to cross over and go down to Conway street. Part of it was knocked down to increase traffic past businesses that were failing near Hamilton square and cause congestion/pollution.

[@gillhughes6644]

Peel Holdings has its mitts in the freeport.

[@banksroadmodernimage7358]

Great video here Andy,remember class37 and class 47 locos running through this cutting back in 1990s Also walked this line back in end of 1998 was prity messy by them down there..

[@Supernorthwest]

Those deltic locos used to run past mine in Walton as a kid. Thunderous mate! Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching👍

[@richardlunnon5929]

Fascinating stuff Andy. Hope your keeping well fella!

[@Supernorthwest]

Im good thank you Richie. Im on a mission at the mo to discover all kinds of stuff and film it. I dunno whats got into me😁

[@terrydobbins928]

Went down there years ago playing , And took my kids down ,Apple trees were growing there and tasty 😋

[@Supernorthwest]

Legend you are mate! Taking the kids to the foundation’s of where it all started 💪x long live our childhoods

[@terrydobbins928]

@@Supernorthwest it was a great day 😉

[@bobbydavies3223]

Yo Andy another cool vid I think that lock up used to be asda 😂I will get you a flick hammer for crizzy if your gonna go to places like that stay safe dude bobby 🤓👍

[@Supernorthwest]

Haha. Im glad it didnt lock me in when I shut it,id still be there😁

[@Mapplewell_Park]

Great video. I drive past the crossing and around the route of the old railway a lot and have always wanted to see what was behind the walls and crossing gates. Really good video thanks 👍

[@Supernorthwest]

Cheers Richie! Glad you enjoyed it mate, cheers, Andy👍

[@keithhaynes9462]

Not my area Andy I am west midlands. I really enjoyed this mate keep it going

[@Supernorthwest]

Ahh thank you so much Kieth! All the nice comments keep me going with this. All the best mate👍

[@buffplums]

Really interesting video mate. Those shots you show of the old station front was called Birkenhead Town station. Behind that wall are the 2 tunnels one to right was the tunnel to Monks Ferry station and the left was the one to Woodside.

[@Supernorthwest]

I wouldnt mind a re visit there to see if there is access to the 2 tunnels. I feel another mission coming on😁 Thank you for watching 👍

[@elizabethclayton2587]

Brilliant video it's so sad the way Birkenhead has been left to rot... well I've always wanted to see underneath were I've walked all my life cheers good fellow .

[@Supernorthwest]

Thank you Elizabeth. Hopefully the town will be re developed in the right way in the future👍

[@elizabethclayton2587]

@@Supernorthwest yes we hope .. thanks luv ❤️

[@1926brady]

Cracking vid Andy , bet you were bricking it in those tunnels Hahaha, and not good all the fly tipping around there. Keep them coming mate 👍

[@Supernorthwest]

Cheers mate. Was a bit hairy at times👍

[@Andy_Byrne]

Great video of the old railway underneath my town....

[@Supernorthwest]

I’m from Liverpool Andy, but it breaks my heart to see how Your great town has been neglected. I hope it becomes a mirror image of the other side of the Mersey very soon👍

[@Artmis-wq4et]

Been down there myself about 2 months ago explored the lines like you did I went to the end by bridge street

[@Supernorthwest]

It is an amazing place mate👍

[@majorpygge-phartt2643]

It looks like that passenger train at 23:38 must've been a rail tour, most likely from down south as that's a southern region loco hauling it. And in the back ground there's already some removal of track going on. Isn't that where the lines into the now preserved CLC building started?

[@beboploo]

most of them train lines come from john summers steel works in shooton to lairds

[@davidwiggins4367]

Always been under the impression that the lines were still down due to two things , one, ,it's still a major unused route to the main lines in the area and the docks lines, and in an emergency could be reinstated, two, the lines are still down because removal would make that route an abandoned route and could be otherwise reused to build on,

[@everythingofit6774]

A bit scary there now, 🧐but it's a good idea to make stylish restaurant and shops under the bridge 👍

[@Supernorthwest]

I think it was early morning when I went but still scary down there👍

[@davidravenscroft9235]

Great Video Andy, Thanks la

[@Supernorthwest]

Cheers la 😁👍

[@LeeLocke]

Greetings from sunny Seacombe. Pleased to meet you. 😀

[@Supernorthwest]

Hi Lee, hope you enjoyed the film mate👍

[@peterwhelan173]

Great videos Andy, thanks. Very well presented!

[@Supernorthwest]

Thanks mate,glad you enjoyed👍

[@U2021-k4c]

Apart from the mistake of putting the light behind the camera and causing a massive shadow...!

[@Supernorthwest]

@@U2021-k4c learning so much about film making and I embrace any constructive comments. Cheers mate for your input 👍

[@majorpygge-phartt2643]

It looks like someone has been down there trying to steal some of the rails. And I can never understand how they can do it when they're about 60 foot long and weigh about a ton each or just under, depending on what type of rail they are. So how can they transport them out of there?

[@Supernorthwest]

I’m not from Birkenhead but it breaks my heart to see the neglect all around there. Imagine the community projects that could be generated using that stretch. I would love it if a historical railway society bought it as it has everything to run from that site.

[@leedavies9324]

The line you walked we called The Sough. The signal is Canning Street signal box home signal. Canning street is the one that burnt down.

[@Supernorthwest]

Hi Lee. I think I have seen you driving a train??

[@Supernorthwest]

Lee,that is an awesome video from 1987. Wanted to use some of that footage for the film but didnt have any contact details for asking permission. I believe you were in the seat of the deltics too?

[@leedavies9324]

Andy, class 47 on the Down the docks, class 37 on the Angel of the North. Yes link it in to your footage. Please credit George Nelson (RIP) for the 1987 video. The Wirral channel has used it on his videos.

[@Supernorthwest]

Cheers Lee. I will link it on the channel with a credit to George. Would be great if I could get some footage of what your driving now?

[@leedavies9324]

Andy, I have footage but currently not able to post on KZbin etc.

[@CracAintWack]

Hi, WMC student here, yesterday was told of plans that peoe are gonna turn this into a bike/walking lane and a park

[@Supernorthwest]

@@CracAintWack well that would be really nice. Some cafes and shops would be cool too👍

[@susansmith4270]

Just found your channel....enjoyed it and its history..its a shame the history is vandalised and left to rot....sue The Wirral.

[@Supernorthwest]

Thank you Sue! Glad you enjoyed it. Its terrible that some of these places get left and unused. Cheers ,Andy👍

[@alexvl6365]

Отличный фильм , чем больше живу в Ливерпуле , тем больше удивляет этот город. 👍

[@Supernorthwest]

👍

[@buffplums]

I used to work in the old police station which used to be the old blue building next to the first of the 4 bridges. From my workspace I used to,look out towards the level crossing and signal box. I can remember that there used to regular freight trains, usually a Class 47 taking freight on and off the docks. The signal box used to have inside what looked like a ships wheel and when the signal man used to turn it,Mt he gates on the level crossing would open and close. The signal box was burnt out by arsonists. It was boarded up for years after the line closed and some dickheads decided to torch it.

[@eiruggriffiths8491]

Why don't they turn it into a heritage railway, tramway or a light rail system instead of leaving it like that.

[@elizabethclayton2587]

Ps that ship the west float is getting made in to scrap now it's only just been finished Andy.

[@Supernorthwest]

Thats such a shame. It looked like a beast of a ship. Its really nice down there now,when the weather is good its a nice walk. It would be nice with some restaurants and bars like over in Liverpool.

[@johnpaton1549]

Living in Belgium .gent it would not be left in this state the people would make a walk way or bike ride

[@Supernorthwest]

@@johnpaton1549 I agree . I have been to Belgium and found it such a clean place. Lots of history seems to be preserved there.

[@buffplums]

That noise at the beginning sounds like there is a high power radio data transmission system somewhere nearby a bit unusual for that amount of interference … probably some elicit system set up by some villains lol 😂

[@Supernorthwest]

Those tunnels may lead to a bond villians hideout, ya never know 🤣

[@user-gk8ms5rp6q]

Great video. Worked in Birkenhead for 20 years in that area from mid 90s and never walked it. Where do you get access at the ventilation shaft end? Would like to walk a bit before the dock branch park regeneration is started.

[@majorpygge-phartt2643]

There's so many old railway tracks going to waste when they could be recycled or used by railway preservation groups.

[@Simpleburger1968]

Wow ! I have a friend who lives in Ellesmere Port : we love Urbex , is this something that could be / should be easily accessible do you think ?? Great footage !

[@Supernorthwest]

If you check Google earth, you will be able to check the location and surroundings for access👍

[@Simpleburger1968]

@@Supernorthwest Hi Andy, thank you for the reply. I've been looking at GE (and your clips again) : would I be correct in thinking that (rather intimidating ? looking) wall you climb over early on is on W***rl** St , around the back of a series of well known (Bargain) shops ? This does look fantastic...even to walk along just a limited stretch .... Cheers !

[@Supernorthwest]

@@Simpleburger1968 I’ll meet up if you want mate and take you down there. Drop me a message on supernorthwest@outlook. Com with your number 👍

[@neilsaunders2520]

Like see put back tram

[@zombiekid445]

Is this known as the monks tunnels?

[@Supernorthwest]

Not sure mate. It was called the dock branch. Also was known by the train drivers as the Soff I think.

[@christinabatey927]

This could be a public space and tourist magnet.Wirral council has no imagination,sadly.

[@christinabatey927]

But a great vid,really interesting.Thanks.

[@Supernorthwest]

Hopefully it will be put to good use soon 👍

[@garynightingale7923]

Iron ore trains never used this line they went via Bidston toward Wrexham

[@Supernorthwest]

Probs best research some more pal to prove that little theory👍

[@garynightingale7923]

@Supernorthwest I have worked on Merseyrail for over 40yrs the iron ore trains went via Bidston dee junction the fiddlers ferry trains went out via canning Street towards rock ferry,I used to signal them past canning street signalbox

[@OllyO-gt8pg]

i think this line used to strech as far as bhead north, i actually rmember the old diesels when i was kid in 70's as my nan lived round the corner :) good place to hide during ww3 lol

[@Supernorthwest]

Well ww3 and im there 🤣 thank you for watching 👍

[@U2021-k4c]

16:57 is a grade 1 listed building, but development means it is getting knocked down soon. Rubbish was dumped in the tunnels by a few local businesses that backed on to them. The new housing estate will occupy that whole area. Anyone there in the 80s will remember Atmosphere nightclub!

[@leedavies9324]

Check out my footage from 1987 on a train going along there. Lee Lippy Davies

[@maureenbarker2504]

Would love to have a walk before this is altered for regeneration

[@fkl770]

ahhahha i went here its so horrible shite littered everywhere more like a landfill site than a railway. and i also felt like I was gonna get murdered in the tunnel. Birkenhead is quite grim tbh like im from the Liverpool side.

[@simonsenliam]

Fancy a collaboration?

[@Supernorthwest]

yeah I would be up for that mate. Some of these places are better with a small team incase any trouble kicks off😀 also like some of your vids, drop me your number to this and ill give you a bell [e-mail] 👍

[@russelljones1549]

Where was the line for the Irish cattle boats to slaughter houses