Farewell To The Sheffield Manchester Electrics

OK, this is not my film. I was 2 weeks old when this was done but I feel that it is so historically important that it needed to be seen by a wider audience. If the original film maker would like this removed, I will do so.
This silent film shows the last few days of passenger traffic on the Sheffield Victoria to Manchester Piccadilly or Woodhead line. It shows the Harwich boat trains, freight to Neepsend power station and a ride behind an EM1 as far as Godley Junction. I think that this film is an absolute gem and I would like to thank the original film maker for their work.
If only I could have been there................

[@daystatesniper01]

That this line was allowed to close is beyond beggaring belief

[@TheDaf95xf]

How nostalgic 😃 I remember those electrics very well as my Grandma lived in Hyde and I spent many years in Godley junction signal box in my school holidays 😊 Happy memories 😃 Shame they closed this line as the route over the woodhead is full 😫😫 Thanks for sharing this footage Stevie.

[@richardhoyle1138]

Thanks for posting. I was only six when the line closed to passengers but used to travel several times a year to visit grandparents in Yorkshire so very nostalgic. The government must be kicking themselves that they ever let such a strategically important route close.

[@Isochest]

The Government or the pathocrat politicians couldn't give a shit. We have to demonstrate we care.

[@swanwickmil]

governments and politicians are too thick and stupid to even realize matey !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@soundseeker63]

Some of that old style DC OLE is still in place around Manchester - Glossop/Hadfield, albeit now energised at 25kv AC. Gives the line a slight throwback look/feel to its heyday which is nice because for the most part, there is precious little left to show it ever existed! :-/

[@Steven_Rowe]

Sadly I never got to see the line, I always had a fascination with the DC electrics . The lines out of Liverpool Street were also energised at 1500DC from 1949 till 1960 and the same emus operated out to Enfield. The converted the line to dual voltage 6.25/25KV operation. They lost the old. Pantographs which was a shame.

[@lawrencecody4085]

I often wondereed if any of the Hadfield EMUs ever went to Sheffield Vic, as a special for enthusiasts.

[@baconsandwich2007]

AFAIK, no. I remember reading something about a trial stopping service between Manchester and Sheffield using the EMU's but was discontinued shortly afterwards. Can't remember the actual reason, but I think it was poor carriage ventilation in the tunnel.

[@mickd6942]

Excellent, they used to run past my house on the worsborough branch

[@eddylumb2339]

Fantastic

[@coloradostrong]

The sound is louder on my left side, but overall pretty decent.

[@annescholey6546]

Apparently the Poole Bradford didn't call at Victoria but instead at Penistone and Dunford Bridge. Usually a class 37 or 46 turn.

[@andrewoverton5170]

Struggling to see how a train from Poole to Bradford could have called at Dunford Bridge. Seriously, it's the back of beyond, what traffic would there be? And how would it get to Bradford?

[@duncancurtis1758]

By sticking the last two coaches on the short platform

[@Isochest]

We need to recognise we have been leveraged. Monopoly is our enemy. Libertarian economics and Minarchist (if any) Government will make everyone better off

[@stuartnaylor6472]

Electric trains will never catch on lol

[@EM-yk1dw]

No because there is no proper investment in Britains railways, just talk and no action.

[@EM-yk1dw]

Why was an electrified link between two major cities in the North closed? It just does not add up. Is there really no forward thinking in politics?

[@Steven_Rowe]

Edward Pearce Because politicians dont care they simply waste public money. A new tunnel as well. even if they thought it unprofitable they should never of got rid of the rail corridor.

[@Isochest]

It does add up in the Politics of "Civilisation". The Human makeup consists of 36% Empaths 60% Apaths and the other 4% Psychopaths and Narcissists. The Apaths Follow the 4% fruitcakes. Je Pisse dans le Violon as the French say

[@lawrencecody9316]

It was 1500v DC, and BR adopted the 25kv system,they did convert to 25kv as far as Hadfield,and Glossop,and that line has a regular service, but they obviously thought it was not feasible to continue to Sheffield, as there was already a route via the Hope Valley...which is not electrified..however,they did not look into the future, and not converting,then closing the Woodhead line many believe was a big mistake..The Hope Valley line is now very congested,due to the block sections being so long..A lot of money wasted,and only 30 yrs as an electrified railway,whereas Cre we-Manchester is approaching 60 yrs as an electrified railway.

[@johnchurch4705]

They used the excuse not to convert to 25KV due to costs and they wanted to electrify the East Coast line. It could have been converted much cheaper than quoted.

[@EM-yk1dw]

John Church yes it was closed to persuade the government to electrify the ECML

[@Isochest]

Mae'n video yn bendigedig:-)

[@baconsandwich2007]

Diolch!

[@nigelkthomas9501]

Not bad, but a bit hit and miss. If only it could’ve been saved.

[@ewan8127]

The stupidest decision of modern industrial times...