George Stephenson's Bridge and The Ordsall Chord

[@johnrooney1860]

Enjoyed the video again Martin thanks.john

[@hyper2high]

I live in bolton and work all around manchester. Dont get to the city centre all that much so thats probably why in every single martin video i learn something. Amazing stuff

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much

[@bianchikat]

bloody marvellous I was/am a train buff, lived in Manchester for 10 years and your video was fantastic. Yes it was about time there was a link between the two stations..memories of trudging between the two and of missing a connection due to late running. Now I live in the North East not far from George Stephenson's birthplace and cottage.. the men who brought us trains and railway travel. we owe them big time! Thanks again Martin!

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much glad you enjoyed

[@keithtanner2806]

The older/original members of the museum did NOT want the new bridge because it chopped their link to the mainline and cut their running rail to a couple of hundred yards. It was new management who accepted the payment.

[@73Datsun180B]

they should of installed a diagonal crossing so they still had a mainline link!

[@clrd4tkf]

Learning lots about Manchester from these videos. Thank you Martin!

[@MartinZero]

Hi, thanks a lot, I think I learn loads making them too. This video stemmed from my confusion about what the Ordsall chord was. Thanks 👍

[@PeterT1981]

Martin, You are a brilliant teacher. I so enjoyed this video. It was packed with information and powered with your unbridled enthusiasm. I hope the city of Manchester knows how lucky they are to have you and in their midsts

[@PetervanderLinden]

Outstanding video drone footage and narration. I'm really enjoying these videos.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Peter

[@VoklstWestie]

So Beautiful! What a slice of History! Well Done Martin! Excellent naration, editing, advancing the plot, filmography, drone work 'On the Fly'! I always enjoy your vids! Chicago Renee has been to the UK thrice & never thought I'd get there again.. but having left my husband... This is becoming more a reality, that I must return, having seen things through your eyes. Shows me how much I missed the 1st 3 times!

[@MartinZero]

Thank you very much

[@Magdalena76h]

I absolutely loved this one! I had no idea that there was an original bridge by George Stephenson extant in Manchester! Gave me goosebumps! I laughed when you said about coping with the suspense... then I applauded the bridge and had to go make a cuppa to calm my nerves! You have a special touch, Martin - you make the history so real, but at the same time it's through your eyes and with your own sense of belonging and sense of importance. Thank you for all the effort you put in!

[@MartinZero]

Thank you

[@pauldevey8628]

As a byproduct, this video really shows how beautiful your city is.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you. Its Beautiful and ugly depends where you go. But I like it all.

[@stevenrumfitt2239]

Thanks matin brilliant information

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Steven

[@Joe90V]

Quality documentary about a fascinating subject, really enjoyed it. Thanks.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much

[@AidanORourke]

The drone view of the bridge is very effective. I've been under the bridge and back again on the water taxi from Salford Quays. The bridge is impressive. It's a shame it cut off the museum from the rail network and ruined a prime historical site in Manchester but... And now the new Ordsall Chord railway bridge can't be used to its full capacity because the expansion of Piccadilly from two to four tracks didn't go ahead as planned. At least there are a some services that go between Oxford Rd and Victoria, I've been on it a few times to catch a glimpse of George Stephenson's bridge. Many thanks!

[@martinstevenson7462]

Fascinating this Martin great stuff

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Martin

[@jetsons101]

Not to over comment but this and much of your early stuff was really good..........

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Mike

[@jetsons101]

Looking forward to this Sunday....... Cheers Martin

[@johnrogers2826]

Amazing! Your presentations are second to none. I actually forget I'm watching youtube your videos are that good. Thank you!

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much `John

[@MrAsBBB]

The best video I’ve seen for quite a while. Really enjoyable. Thank you so much.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you much appreciated

[@SergeiJonovich]

Loving your video's, your enthusiasm is infectious and a real draw to wanting to see and learn more! Many thanks for your time and knowledge!

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Sergei much appreciated

[@fatimaali7539]

Every time I watch ur videos it makes me want to visit Manchester more and more to explore Manchester’s hidden history

[@nickjervis8123]

Brilliant

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Nick

[@somenextman]

Another Amazing video Martin!! #SaluteToYou, I love my city!! but you have oped my eyes to so many more hidden treasures of recent an inspired me to do some digging my self.😉an the bit at the end about Stephenson setting the level of the rails👏 another great observation.

[@Flymochairman1]

I've read a bit on the Ordsall Chord being built, in the railway papers. I know what it all meant but, as I'm not a Manchester resident, I couldn't get a picture of it in my mind. Now it's clear as day. Cheers Martin. Great videos.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much. Glad it all makes sense 👍

[@jayd1974]

Superb video once again very very interesting 👍

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Jay

[@andrewschmitz9707]

When I finally get to Manchester around fall,it will be surreal in a way having seen so much and learned so much about this city I love from you. Thanks mate.

[@MartinDHayes]

Love this!! Thank you for your information and endless education of your city, with all of it's history! Crack on & Cheers!!

[@DRMEEKS]

A great informative video, i was hooked from the start, well done Martin.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Bill

[@simonprice8737]

Brilliant video, nice to see Oxford Road, used to go to Altrincham and Alderley Edge from there, pity the New Bridge cut the original route to and from the Transport Museum...cheers Martin...

[@TheVapingYorkshireman]

Loved that. Yet another brilliant look at the past mingling with the present.

[@MartinZero]

The Vaping Yorkshireman Hi Thanks very much. Yeah definitely two bridges from two different eras 👍

[@maveric5381]

Martin non of your vids are "irrelevent" as you said. Every one is dotted with gems of Manchester information. I always find some new information when I watch your channel. Keep up the great work.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much. I must admit I did learn a lot when I was looking up this video. Thanks again

[@dicantria]

Awesome! I work in Castlefield, I also live on a narrowboat, so spend a lot of time in the Castlefield area. I found this really interesting. I hope they do put a statue up near the bridge, I think it's fantastic that such a historic and beautiful bridge has been made more visible now. You're vlogs are helping to show what a great city Manchester is and was.

[@MartinZero]

Hello, am so sorry I missed your comment. Castlefield is an awesome place, is your narrowboat nearby ? Thank you very much

[@dicantria]

Martin Zero No, my boat is not in castlefield now, I'm currently up on the Macclesfield canal. Keep up with excellent work. All very interesting.

[@darreno9874]

Hi Martin, I had this argument with teachers at school when they said people had never been so fast.. Most people who could afford to travel ont the Manchester to Liverpool railway would have had horses and the space to gallop them at between 25 and 44 miles an hour. So the speed wasn't new, but archiving the speed without a horse was. But it was great to see both the bridge and station. God bless

[@djhobin69]

Brilliant video i work round here may go a walk on my dinner to have a look around

[@MartinZero]

Hi Andrew, Its frustrating because you can see the bridge but cant get near it. We need that footbridge to open. Thanks very much

[@georgenixon3827]

Excellent. Thanks for your most enjoyable videos. Watching from Alberta, Canada!

[@MartinZero]

Hello George thanks for watching. Best regards to Alberta Canada

[@adamct44]

Only just found your videos, they are fascinating, interesting and really informative. I’m not from Manchester but not far off in the Calder valley where we also have lots of industrial heritage and the Rochdale canal. I’m slowly progressing through your archive and enjoying every one. Keep it up Martin.

[@risvegliato]

Now this is strange.. Yesterday I travelled from Piccadilly (where my train from Birmingham terminated) to Victoria on the train through that new chord as I had to be at Manchester cathedral (which is close to Manchester Victoria) for a service with a choir I sing with. Today, this is in my recommended videos on youtube. Last time I was in Manchester was probably 20 years ago...

[@MartinZero]

Fantastic !!! He moves in mysterious ways 😃Thanks for watching 👍

[@jimmiiweir3695]

...another BRILLIANT VIDEO THANKS

[@MartinZero]

Jimmii Thank you for watching and your support 👍

[@BrasherFox]

Realy Interesting Vlog, thanks.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Brian 👍

[@monty8888]

Absolutely brilliant Martin. Fascinating stuff!

[@tonymurray5263]

Your videos keep getting better and better. Can't wait for the next one on the Medlock.

[@MartinZero]

Hi Tony, thank you very much. I will do episode III of the Medlock but not even started it yet 😱

[@Salfordian]

Surprised you didn't mention the fact the new bridge has cut off the worlds first railway station, the museum did object until Network rail offered them £100,000

[@melanierhianna]

They gave them £3 million

[@Road-hog123]

​@Old Liverpool Railways A single track across the double track Ordsall Chord would require 2 diamond crossings, with 8 breaks in the running rails. These would all require more frequent maintenance than plain track, meaning more frequent engineering works on the chord. Equally that's 8 opportunities for derailment or failure, along with the required associated signalling which could also fail. Crossings also mean you can't have superelevated track, so wear on the rest of the line nearby will also be higher. On top of that you also have the higher initial cost of installing extra crossings to the new track. Add to that the out-and-back shuttle with a replica steam locomotive and you have a nightmare timetabling job to try and ensure the very regular trains using the chord aren't held up by the shuttle. Inevitably there will be delays that then cause the timetabled slots to disappear or be missed and you end up adding a whole load more small delays to services on a busy line, which knock-on and affect the whole area for the rest of the day.

[@TheBrickGuy7939]

@@Road-hog123 A solution I thought up would be to only have the museum still connected to the main network but have a boundary gate between the museum and main network which only is allowed to be crossed by visiting trains like Tornado once did. But then again you're right there would be the issues of track maintenance and cost.

[@jayzo]

@@TheBrickGuy7939 they could've built the bridge slightly wider and re-aligned the track to run down the chord. I know that's changing the original alignment as the line went to Liverpool, but it would've given it mainline access.

[@TheBrickGuy7939]

That is not possible without demolishing the long mainline viaducts which were already there.

[@britishroller4205]

Great footage

[@MartinZero]

Thank you 😊

[@stevecooper3010]

Great stuff Martin , makes you appreciate our past

[@dougf94912]

Hey Martin, I'm really enjoying the energy and passion that you're bringing to these videos, keep it up!

[@MartinZero]

Hi Doug, Thanks very much and thank you for taking the time to watch 👍

[@reetcorneille100]

Really enjoyed this video Martin ,nice to see the stonework on the Stevenson bridge ,it's unique looking to other bridges around MCR

[@MartinZero]

Hi Reet, yes it looks beautiful. I cant wait till the little footbridge is open and we can see it close up 🙂

[@NordleM20]

used to walk under and work under that railway everyday, my father used to own the 8 arches on the corner of water street and princess bridge, opposite where the old pineapple pub used to be, was fun working there in the winter i can tell you!

[@adriankelly483]

Hi Martin love your videos there brilliant. very interesting I was on angel meadow yesterday. Thank-you for sharing. I'm following you on fb. Keep them coming. Excellent.

[@MartinZero]

Adrian ! Thank you very much, really appreciate your support 😀👌

[@caahacky]

Brilliant video Martin.

[@briancooper6068]

Cracking video once again Martin,great arial view with the drone ads to the description. The great Fred dibnah is looking down on you.👍

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Brian, Fred Dibnah 😃 must admit I do like mill chimneys as well

[@kgs42]

Very interesting .... the period radiating stonework on Stevenson's bridge. An excellent old picture at 16.00.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks yes it’s beautiful

[@brianfox1980]

Another great little film Martin I thought I had the railway and civil engineering bug keep up the good work

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Brian, Railways are a bit of a passion of mine 👍

[@HenrysAdventures]

Great video as always. Interesting to see old and new civil engineering side by side. It was a share that it meant the MOSI had to stop doing train rides but from looking at the space they have left maybe they could build a miniature railway. If they do it would be the only elevated miniature railway in the UK

[@HelenaMikas]

Great video Martin and loved every minute of it .Terrific history to be found in Manchester which is why all really famous places should be preserved .Summer will be amazing when the footbridge is open ..Bye for now and a a big like * , Helena .

[@MartinZero]

Helena, thank you very much. Yes I hope you plan to take a walk along the footbridge, I know I will be doing. Take care, Martin 👌

[@islaws4589]

Awesome video Martin - they just keep getting better & better :)

[@MartinZero]

Hello, thank you so much. Just need to think of the next one now 😱👍

[@andrewnorris5415]

Wow! loved all that! Must have been like going to the moon or into space on Virgin Galatic. Please if you can do a whole video on Stephenson himself, what a character, and what he overcame, debated with parliament, getting funding, the races, construction of the first railway, the rocket! You are just the person to make such a "documentary".

[@conradwyke4734]

Great video Martin, It wasn't that long ago when you could ride over his bridge from the Science and industry museum. I remember back in the early 90s travelling on a train only about 250 yards from Liverpool Street station over the Stephenson bridge are the mainline started. The loco which polled the carriages was a copy of the rocket which would of been the first train that went from Manchester Liverpool station to lime Street. The only thing which is a shame now is no connection to the main line no connection to the museum.

[@MartinZero]

Hi Conrad. Yes I wish I could have done that. I never went in the 90's and yes no connection to the mainline now. I think MOSI got compensated for that.Much needed money possibly

[@faltskog36abba]

Thank you martin, Great drone footage.

[@MartinZero]

Hello, thank you for watching, yeah got stressed out with the drone again 😃

[@NikEastwood161]

Excellent stuff. I will share this to a model rail group I am on.

[@MartinZero]

Nik Eastwood Hi Nik, Thanks very much for your support every little helps 👍

[@Mrade0161]

Yet another cracking video Martin, nice bit of filming off your drone 👍🏻

[@MartinZero]

Hi Adrian, thank you, Major stress flying the drone again but nice footage, thanks for watching 😃

[@g1fsh]

Well done Martin u got some amazing footage there some great picture's of the old bridge. Thanks mate honestly really nice work!

[@MartinZero]

Hi Gary, thank you. Just wish I could of got the drone a bit further under that bridge, never mind 👍

[@hovermotion]

Wow what an amazing vid...I allways wondered if there was a bridge still standing from 1830s... I got into Liverpool rd station complex in the late 70s with my friend and his dad , it was used for goods storage and it was an abandoned mess as I think it was closed around 1975 by british rail ..I was totaly amazed by all the old tracks and mini turntables and buildings as we could walk around inside. I wish I had a cine camera at the time.... Great channel thanks for showing this footage and info.. ...Jim.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks. You still have the footage ?

[@hovermotion]

@@MartinZero unfortunately no Martin..

[@wladniem]

excellent

[@irenerawlinson607]

Hi Martin, I do love your videos. Having spent the first 21 years of my life in Manchester and fair amount of that travelling between Trafford Park and Manchester Central - I had never realised how much history there was around here. I know I have some railway blood in me from my father and my husband is a railway fan. ( I still say he only married me so that he could go and look round the Power Box at Central). My father used to mention LIverpool Street Station but I didn't take too much notice of it. Never went on Mayfield Station as far as I can remember. Is the station used as a museum now as it looked beautiful? Look forward to more of your great videos.

[@MartinZero]

Hello again Irene , I hope your well. Thanks for the message. I must admit when I was younger I wasn't interested in history yet in the 80's there would have been many more remnants to see. Yes Liverpool road is part of the museum of science and Industry, you can go in and look round the station building. Thanks Irene 😃

[@williamkennedy5492]

Such history, i really did enjoy the video, What can i say but i feel ashamed i never knew any of this . Thank you

[@mattwuk]

Great stuff Martin, I'm looking forward to a follow up in the summer when the bridge is open mate. Nice one.

[@MartinZero]

Hi Matt thanks. Yeah well I think it’s summer am guessing. But it will be great to walk over it and get a close up of the bridge 👍

[@Naparky1]

Another cracking video Martin. Well done 🚂

[@MartinZero]

Hi Neil, thank you, hope your well 👌

[@xxxyorks]

Very imformative, thanks for this

[@MartinZero]

Hi, Thank you for watching and commenting, glad you enjoyed 👍

[@terryansell6641]

So so interesting with so much information thank you from N.Z.

[@dennismassey2377]

Once again, great vid Martin.

[@MartinZero]

Hi Dennis thanks 😀👌

[@charlotteh71]

Another brilliant video. Thank you

[@MartinZero]

Charlotte, thanks for watching and commenting 😀

[@alanbg2278]

Sir, we salute your achievement !, One of your best.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Alan

[@alexbright7735]

amazing.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Alex

[@simonholt6649]

Another great video Martin!

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Simon

[@MartinZero]

Hi Simon, thanks very much 👍

[@ronb9191]

Worked on the Liverpool rd station in the early eighties for a company called William Thorpe and sons, amazing times finding all sorts of excellent archaeology etc, worked on the station platforms and arches brilliant job.

[@MartinZero]

Hi Ron, I bet it was a great project. Were you restoring the place ?

[@gerardjones7881]

Professional quality video , very nicely done.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Gerard

[@AndyBilham]

Another great video Martin, thanks! Have you considered a follow-up video including some more drone footage to show the progression in the footbridge and surrounding architecture?

[@MartinZero]

Hi Andy, not at the moment. I had a mishap with the drone, but I keep watching for that Footbridge to open.

[@robertbilling6266]

Another interesting one, thanks. ISTR Fanny Kemble put in her diary that she fancied Robert Stephenson.

[@bilfordfilms2347]

Great piece of History #manchester ...keep em coming Martin

[@MartinZero]

Hi Thank you very much 😃

[@annother3350]

That's passion for a bridge!

[@MartinZero]

Yep i want to get right up to it one day

[@semidetached100]

Another interesting Video Martin, round us here we had 3 railway companies, the Midland first who had a monopoly and then the Great Northern and the new kid on the block in 1918 was the Great Central and the prize was coal , coal was king with passengers travelling to a lesser extent, people here had the choice of four railway stations, the other industry round us being hosiery and a notable name Pretty Polly now sadly made overseas, I like the architecture of the big buildings and the.number and size of mills incredible.

[@MartinZero]

Hi Mick, where are you from ?

[@Hulmeloonz]

Yet another great video looking forward to the next one oh and nice berghaus 😁

[@MartinZero]

Hi James thanks. I do love my Berghaus stuff 👌😀

[@texhow1]

Great Video & information Martin, what a difference these Drones make to help with descriptions.

[@MartinZero]

Hi Terry, yes must admit it did the trick in this video. Thanks again 👍

[@PhilPage227]

Fabulous video. great shame that Liverpool Road is now cut off from the railway system. I have a video on my channel that i filmed from Salford Crescent in to Deansgate station, you can clearly see Stephenson`s bridge.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Philip. whats the video called on your channel. Just taken a look but cant find it

[@PhilPage227]

@@MartinZero Salford Crescent To Deansgate

[@PhilPage227]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJ-Yf61reqlnnbM

[@MartinZero]

@@PhilPage227 Thanks

[@ianboyle1621]

I, like you, was expecting that foot-bridge to open in the summer. I thought it was going to be like the stepped area, covered in Astro-turf leading down from Granary Square at St. Pancras/Kings Cross (London) but they said there were disputes about opening the land owned by different people on each side of the river. I didn't know, at the time, that they were going to build 'The Factory' (£130m Arts Centre) and have completely closed off Water Street. I imagine that that the foot-bridge won't open until 'The Factory' does. (late 2022). Such a pity that they had to close off such an historical street.

[@bobingram6912]

Calm down, calm down!!!!! Another cracking vid from Martins hidden history series 👍

[@nedkelly4999]

Another excellent vid mate. Very interesting.

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Ned 👍

[@semidetached100]

Hello Martin, its what you would call North Nottinghamshire, I used to live opposite the old Kirkby in Ashfield Motive Power Depot, I cannot remember the shed number, 8 fs, 4fs 2 f shunters it was a big shed and all worked coal, it eventually became 56 land and I can remember the low number 56 s and my favourites class 20s in pairs day after day trundling through, the shed sadly is no more along with all the collierys long gone now its the Robin Hood line all DMUs Worksop to Nottingham shedded in Nottingham.

[@timbrockley]

Amazing video :)

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Tim 👍

[@Transit_Biker]

A statue of him on that bridge pier would be fitting and amazing.

[@MartinZero]

Yes it would I agree 👌

[@jayh9529]

The rocket man.....?..new railway architecture mmmmmmm🤔they dug em out mud and added cheers Martin top notch

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Jay

[@jayh9529]

Martin Zero I got a video for u to watch mate right under your street hhhmmm it's exploring with fighters channel "underground forgotten city (Manchester uk ) nice finds

[@dannydavies4391]

Great vids Martin. I walk past lots of these structures daily & enjoyed your take on things. Tried walking down to the Princes footbridge earlier today for a gander, but got caught up in a freak snowglobe storm outside Beetham (Gotta love Manchester!). Will you be reviewing buildings of as well as the civil underground? There's such a great mix and hidden history: ))

[@MartinZero]

Hi Danny, that snowglobe was awful , bloody beast from the east. I am always working on something, usually has to be something I can get a handle on and interests me. thanks again 👍

[@TestEngineer1982]

I'm a bit late to the party and have only just seen this video. It's fantastic by the way. I'm from St Helens, so the Manchester Liverpool line is ever present :-) We're lucky enough to have one of his bridges too, I should say Viaduct, over Englands first Canal, the Sankey. It's fantastic how you shout about the history around you, people take it all too much for granted and don't give it credit. Keep up the good work.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you very much Michael

[@kennethainsworth1716]

Hi Martin, once again an extremely brilliant video. Being a rail and canal enthusiast, I am very disappointed that The Ordsall Chord totally disconnected the rail and industrial museums from the original Stephenson railline. This is one instance where history should have taken priority over modernisation, especially with Stephensons bridge being there. Anyway, keep your videos coming, I enjoy watching them and being reminded of home and my younger days wandering round the lost history of Manchester and surrounding areas. Cheers mate.

[@MartinZero]

Hi Kenneth. thanks very much. Yeah its kind of ironic that they have cut the link to the mainline and sad 👍

[@ianhudson2193]

Such a shame the curve destroyed all rail access to Liverpool Road..... .....another great video......I'd never even considered that Stephenson turned Manchester into a three level city....... Down from street level to the canals and water courses.....up ftom Street level to the Railways !👍

[@Urbexy]

A brilliant video as usual. Keep them coming :-)

[@MartinZero]

Hi, thank you very much 😃👌

[@keithtanner2806]

Excellently researched but what a pity the opening and closing shots are of a Great Western Railway loco passing what looks like Swindon Works! 😀 I used to walk along the Irwell under Hampson St bridge carrying out site visits. A very isolated spot considering it was so close to the bustle of the city.

[@tonyhumphreys9127]

Great vid Martin.

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Tony 😃

[@M7LBA]

Another great video Martin. Remember going on the replica train from the mosi and going over the bridge. Have a look into The Nico or Mickle Ditch. I only heard of it recently.

[@MartinZero]

Hi Lee, yeah heard of Nico ditch. Its on my list. Cheers mate

[@Nathan.Manchester]

Excellent and Interesting Video Martin - I think you’ll be one of Manchester major youtubers with tens if not hundreds of thousands is subscribers and views one day 👍👍

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Nathan. I wish.....😄

[@TheWacoKid1963]

In a way, The sundial is George Stephenson's logo. The house he lived in between 1805 & 1823 is called Dial cottage and still has, to this day, A sundial above the front door.

[@Bufferoverload.]

great video Martin. keep em cummin. im from manchester and still and work here.

[@MartinZero]

Hello, thank you very much. 👍