How Did the Railways come to Encircle an Entire Derbyshire Village?

The Railways that once Encircle an entire village ( Disused Railway )
Derbyshire once had a lot of Railways and Collieries that they served. That was there purpose.
Today, most of these railways have gone, the collieries no longer exist, but we can follow the old railways that once dominated the area and oeice together the history.
Holmewood was a small village, its grown since the mining heyday, surrounded by both pits and railways. In fact, it was surrounded as such that it was encircled.
Join me as i rediscover the lost railways of derbyshire, Holmewood, Grassmoor & Heath
Thumbnail image by Keith Partlow
Would you like to help support my Channel? Hit the link to find out how: / @trekkingexploration
Buy me a Coffee at ko-fi.com/trek...
PayPal at paypal.me/trek...
Follow me on Facebook at / trekkingexploration
Twitter at / trekexploration
Instagram at / trekkingexploration
Subscribe to my Shorts Channel for regular content: / @tinytrexplores
#abandoned #disused #railway #derbyshire #walk #grassmoor

[@greg5639]

Used to play in the tunnel, its ni longer visible. It was buried when they landscaped it for the Grassmoor golf course. I was born in Grassmoor and lived on Southend cul-de-sac. opposite that was the wakes field where the wakes turned up every year when I was a kid. Its now a small housing estate. I walk these track beds virtually daily with my German Shepherd and Malinois dogs, I just wish I had come across you on your travels around here, could have given you so much info about these local pits. I worked down the pit since leaving school . Started Grassmoor training centre, at 16. Then to Warsop Main on the pit top stock yard etc, then went down the pit at 17 on the haulage. And a week after my 18th birthday, it was time to grow up really fast, face training. I'd go back tomorrow, just like many other men. As kids we would go up the track bed to the bridge on Chesterfield rd . It was used as a dumping site. Back then in the early seventies . We salvaged our bike parts from there. .

[@michaelhibbert4393]

I did my mining training at Grassmoor Training centre and we use to spend 2 day a week underground at Grassmoor colliery in the training galleries…..I remember walking underground to Willianthorpe colliery demarcation line

[@iancaveney7464]

I've long said in this corner of Derbyshire you can spit in any direction and hit something colliery related. Think you just proved my point. 😉👍

[@TrekkingExploration]

It's so true isn't it? I've barely scratched the surface

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

Few places outside of major cities had the railways of North Derbyshire. Chesterfield itself is worthy of its own episode.

[@ukman9797]

I have recently found your channel and I have been going back through your other videos. I find it very interesting, your knowledge, presentation style and editing make it enjoyable to watch. Only people like you doing what you do keeps our history alive for future generations to come back and watch in years time come. Thanks.

[@alangrange8918]

Excellent! It is amazing how completely the infrastructure of the collieries and railways have been erased.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thank you. Yes it's completely transformed

[@Last-Knight17]

Ant, great to see a video in my locale. Would be nice if you did one about Chesterfield and its former three stations. One of which was served by a tunnel now severed by the A61 bypass but which still has a tunnel portal and short section still remaining.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much. Yes chesterfield tunnel is one I've never been inside. I'll have to have a better look at the area

[@iancaveney7464]

@@TrekkingExploration It's a VERY public entrance, wellies, hi-viz and a hard hat and you'll become invisible. 😉

[@sarahwinfield3989]

Another very interesting walk and historical setting. Thanks for posting. I never cease to be amazed how little there remains of such large infrastructures such as the coal mines.

[@TrekkingExploration]

This area has really changed. If not for the paths we probably wouldn't recognise anything

[@a11csc]

what another masterpiece Ant

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much Chris

[@bexc123]

Thank u for a great video. I live in holmewood and have walked the route u took many times but it was interesting to see the history as i watched your video and also had the railwaymap online page up too to see where the tracks went. The Heath station house is still standing in the trees and occupied to this day

[@davidurchyk1421]

Really enjoyed this one thanks for keeping our industrial heritage alive.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much David

[@trevorwilliams6815]

Superb film. Well done.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much Trevor

[@trevorwilliams6815]

@@TrekkingExploration I know of the area via the A617. National Express drivers use the road for fast services to and from Chesterfield or did. The other way is to Mansfield. They always used to joke 15 years ago you going to Chesterfield? We aren't for one passenger. Have you done a film about the Clipstone triangle and the Seymour Jct line. Got access to still photos of both lines.

[@inbetween-days]

Thank you for sharing this interesting video. We enjoyed your walk ❤

[@TrekkingExploration]

Awwww thanks very much indeed 😊

[@taloire43]

Many thanks for this tour of some of our defunct industry. Your enthusiasm is infectious.

[@TrekkingExploration]

So glad you enjoyed it thank you

[@johncochrane2707]

Another superb video Ant thanks for all your hard work bringing them to us.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much John very kind

[@rogerwilkinson2192]

Great film. I’ve had a look on some old maps. The Birkin Lane bridge does appear to have been rebuilt. The old maps show a benchmark on the eastern end of the northern parapet wall. The benchmark is now at the western end of the north parapet wall.

[@peaceorpieces8343]

I live in north wingfield 5 mins walk away from the trail. I will search for the tunnel but will definitely not be able to get access at that marking its in the middle of a gypsy camp. My grandad was a train driver when the pits were open and worked all along these tracks Im like 1000metres away from that pewit colliery, they are building houses in the field right next to that

[@MisterHughie]

Another fantastic video thank you, I was told recently by a local chap in the pub that there was a tunnel between Heath Junction and Arkwright Colliery somewhere in the area of Sutton Springs Woods, keep wondering if there is any evidence although have been struggling to pinpoint it.

[@TrekkingExploration]

That's something to have a look into 😊 only one I can think of is the Culvert

[@leegreveson]

There was a tunnel under Sutton Springs Wood, filled in and no evidence of either portal now or the cuttings. This was on the main GCR line not the Chesterfield loop section.

[@michaelmiller641]

Hard to imagine What it must have been like with all those railways!; a splendid walk, thanks for that Ant

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much Michael

[@eggy77]

Lots of history in the area particularly the collieries and the railways, someone else mentioned about the spoil infilling the cuttings, I didn't know this but I believe much of the area has been opencasted so despite their being the Five Pits Trail it's disappointing that very little of the old railways now remain. It's a good workout up and down those hills on the bike though 🥵

[@LKBRICKS1993]

Excellent video You always put a lot of effort into your videos

[@TrekkingExploration]

Very kind thank you 😊

[@simonballard6413]

Derbyshire is amazing for disused railways! This was very interesting - hope you do more in this area. (Plenty of tunnels, too! ) Many thanks, Ant.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Cheers Simon Plenty to do around here 😁

[@butchknapman3939]

What a great way to relax after work following a hobby which you share. High high is your shot from the drone As for every other video thanks for all your time and effort

[@janetdods71]

that must have been a long walk mate but alot of history thanks for sharing ant x

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks Jan. A nice 2 hours after work 😊

[@alicebutler2007]

Thanks for covering this area. I walk the dog quite a lot at Grass moor but know very little about it, I certainly didn't know there were so many collieries. I believe the mass of yellow rails is Avenue Country Park which was a coking works. It's a nice walk round and you get lots of train spotters on the bridge over the currant line.

[@TrekkingExploration]

I remember going past all that years ago I wonder if there is enough left worthy of a visit?

[@alicebutler2007]

@@TrekkingExplorationif I remember rightly there are a couple of old bridges/culverts and the terrain is rougher over the railway bridge.

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

Thank's for a very interesting walk showing what looks like a complete transformation into a post-industrial landscape. Lot's of new housing and warehousing visible from the marvellous drone footage. Makes you wonder whether people's lives have been so transformed.

[@TrekkingExploration]

It's completely different isn't it? Imagine if the railway hadn't been turned into paths it would be unrecognisable

[@martinmarsola6477]

Thank you for the walking tour this day. Always a nice way of ending the work week. See you soon on the next. Cheers Ant! 😊

[@TrekkingExploration]

Glad you enjoyed it Martin thank you

[@bobingram6912]

A lot of imagination needed to even begin to try and work out what was what, where and how!!!! Nature sure takes a hold - there seems to be a severe lack of trees and vegetation back in B&W days!!!! A nice little after work wander - I'd be at home with a cuppa😂😂😂 Thanks Ant👍👍👍

[@TrekkingExploration]

The tea took priority when I got back and on the way back. The area is almost unrecognisable

[@steve83803]

Our nearest colliery was Swanwick and the old branch line track bed to there passes by the estate from Swanwick junction now part of the Midland railway Heritage line, we even have an old mineshaft in our garden which is inspected every 10 years by the Coal Authority.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Oh my goodness that's quite a garden feature! 😲

[@paulmeads6396]

I believe that Derbyshire County Council used the spoil heaps from all the collieries to fill in the railway cuttings in the area, thereby destroying all evidence that both industries existed. I suppose we should be grateful that they formed a network of footpaths in the locality, but what a shame nothing is left to see of the old pits and railways.

[@philiprufus4427]

A lot of the Coal Bings in Scotland were used as Motorway Infill in the early seventies.

[@Roy-gi5ul]

You canna plase all on't people all on't time!

[@peterhunt2723]

From the 1940s onward I used to go with my parents from Stanton on the Wolds to Bolsover, when we got to the side of the water tower at Hillstown one could see over a large area of Derbyshire which was covered in spoil tips from collieries, the view is a bit different now!

[@philiprufus4427]

Same for me.As a seventy year old living in Scotland who has relatives in Yorkshire and Devon and Cornwall I travelled a lot by train in the late fifties and up to the mid sixties as a small boy. Britain was a truly fascinating place for a kid then. Don't know the area but travelled through it by car in the seventies. West Highland and Callander and Oban Lines were my stamping grounds over thirty years. Even remember travelling in the cab of a multi unit on the now closed section of the C and O. Enjoyed the vid thanks,always good to see old routes in U K. One favourite in England is the Settle and Carlisle,there are many though.

[@johnlaw3323]

A very complicated set of collieries railways and junctions. You must spend ages researching to bring us these fantastic historical vlogs. Many thanks Ant for making and sharing, really enjoy your productions.

[@mikewood142]

It would be nice to find the Corrbriggs railway tunnel if it's still there on another visit in the future maybe? On another note, have you by any chance done the short little railway branch at a place called Leabrooks before? It's called the Leabrooks Railway Trail and takes you up to the back of the Midland Railway Centre at Swanick. It's a nice little walk, there's the old Railway footbridge still there, and the remains of a signal post with even a bit of a signal arm attached. Anyway have a look into it and see if it's worth doing a video about it okay. Anyway keep up the good work mate. All the best from. Devon Mike 🚂

[@chrisbayly5457]

Interesting walk Ant

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks for watching Chris

[@lindamccaughey6669]

Fantastic walk thanks Ant. Those bridges were terrific. Really enjoying these walks and hearing about the railways. Thanks for taking me along. Please take care

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks Linda as always. It's been almost 5 years now ❤️

[@lindamccaughey6669]

@@TrekkingExploration fantastic years and many many more

[@Jimyjames73]

Very Good - I Live nr Chelsfield - There is an old Railway Tunnel in Chesterfield which I many years ago explored, but as I came out the same way I came in I was met by the Police asking me why I was in there!!! Opps 🤔🚂🚂🚂

[@TrekkingExploration]

That's one I've never been inside for some reason... Maybe it's time I did

[@garymutten4093]

Great video as always Ant, how so much that looked so permanent can disappear is quite sad.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks Gary we are lucky the paths are there for these

[@jonslack9755]

What a great video. I live and work in that area so it was nice to see you following the former pits on the 5 pits trail. I do have a photo of a steam train crossing Williamthorpe Road that you were curious to see if there were any.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much Jon I'm pleased you enjoyed it 😊

[@Peter-MH]

Pumping out a lot of quality content on this channel! The subscriber count will suddenly lift off at some point I suspect!

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks Peter. I've worked out a solid routine to get two a week out without losing my own time or effort I put into these 😊

[@stuart3383]

Brilliant Ant .

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks Stuart 😀

[@simonrichardson5077]

Nice one Ant,thanks

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks Simon

[@andrewnorth170]

Hey, the work you do on these is amazing. Shame we didn't get to see that tunnel, suppose it must be around there or gated off.

[@TrekkingExploration]

I think it's a private community on one side, the other side has construction work going on

[@phillipthebigj8971]

Thanks Ant another great snippet of history gone by, can’t wait for next vid👍

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much Phil ☺️

[@angelaknisely-marpole7679]

Nice one, thanks!

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks for watching ☺️

[@shirleylynch7529]

What a lovely informative walk. Great music. Loved the old photos as well. Great filming and drone footage. Thank you as always Ant. Another masterpiece.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks Shirley it's great to have you along as always 😌

[@tonyspike5928]

Great video . I live in Hasland and I've heard about the tunnel at Corbrigs but I've never seen any sign of it , I don't think there is anything left of it.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thank you. It's probably buried at both ends 😔

[@tonyspike5928]

Did you go to the site of the former Hasland Siddings ? It's a short walk off Storforth Lane alongside the railway. It's very overgrown but there is one or two signs of the buildings and remains of an air raid tunnel.

[@jetsons101]

Ant, from the look of the sky and you drone shots you have been getting a good bit of rain this season. I'm always impressed by all the little nooks and crannies you find to explore and share via all your walking. Thanks again for your time, work and posting. We have been getting so much rain, houses, roads have been sliding away. Search Southern Califorian landslides.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Wind and rain has been a big issue at times this winter. Getting stuff done has been harder than usual

[@jetsons101]

We have had so much rain here that houses are sliding down hillsides, lucky for us were on flat land.....@@TrekkingExploration

[@bobdown9414]

Great video thanks.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks Bob

[@Scots_Diesel]

​@@TrekkingExploration ever thought of doing a walk with a small group of fans? Do this a couple of times a year with a small fee to generate income for the channel.

[@garystanley6097]

Hi another great video. Would you please put a track list of all the music you use to every video? The music is always a nice accompaniment to your videos. Thank you.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks Gary. I'll try to remember to add them later ☺️

[@petergoodman4922]

Many thanks for the video Ant. Look forward to the next one.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks for watching Peter ☺️

[@jontaylor1652]

Brilliant stuff as usual, thanks Ant. And I know it's been said before but your choice of accompanying music is first class man!

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks Jon very kind ☺️

[@2010ditta]

Very good...strange that they seemed to have got rid of everything, leaving nothing for you too find. Ah well...All the best.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks for watching Tim

[@TheShowgirl25]

You are so special, but you already know that.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Aaww Very kind

[@jefflaufer3205]

It's a bit ironic to call something a nature reserve after the history of industrial desecration the land once endured. Too bad that nearly all evidence of that one mighty era had to be scraped off the face of the countryside. ❤

[@TrekkingExploration]

It's unbelievable really how there's little trace if not for the current paths there would be nothing.. thanks for watching

[@eggy77]

It is great that so many of the old colliery sites have been transformed back to nature though, what with all the land that's being built on its beneficial to have areas where wildlife can thrive and people can get away from built up areas.

[@ste.h9825]

Thank you.😂

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks for watching 😊