Industrial Tramways, The forerunners of the Railways

In this video we go looking for some Industrial tramways which were the forerunners of the railways. The Industrial tramways we are looking at are the Tramways of the Caldon Low. Situated in the Churnet valley in Staffordshire England. The Tramroads of the Caldon low were built to carry limestone to the Caldon Canal. Incline planes were used to operate the trucks and of course horsepower. Built in the late 18th century these horse drawn tramways were the pioneers that would later become the railways. Just before the Industrial revolution. Our journey starts at Froghall and we venture on our historical journey to find clues of the Industrial past. John Rennie and Benjamin Outram were the engineers involved in building these victorian engineering masterpieces. We also look at Trubshaws tunnel from 1847 on the tramroad. This is a collaboration with ‪@pwhitewick‬

[@MartinZero]

Thanks to Paul and Rebecca for a great day. here is the link to their Channel kzbin.info Paul and Rebeccas video kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJrGfp2JfbeosMU

[@seany84uk]

I like their channel too been following for a few years. Its nice to see more colabs! :)

[@captaindarling1509]

hi m8y, ive sent you a message on facebook messanger ;-)

[@davejones3881]

I went through this tunnel about 5 years ago so probably still accessible. It's much drier from the other end and gets progressively deeper in mud. There are some iron supports about midway through in a kind of box shape. Great to see it.

[@whysa4]

Great to see another collaboration with the Whitewicks

[@MartinZero]

About time

[@misskittysmith]

Another video where I'm so frustrated by our industrial history just being left to rot.... beautiful video though Mr Z, thankyou!

[@MartinZero]

Thank you and yes that tunnel is just left to decay

[@caminojohn3240]

I know you folks are passionate, but how many thousands of sites exist and which ones do you preserve vs let nature take it's couse? Seems to me this tramway, if converted to a series of maintained trails would be a welcomed walking destination. Yet once again, how many can you afford to maintain?

[@leeharwood9624]

There's a reason it's left to rot because it's older than we are told

[@Sweetjudiblueyes]

Seems to me, these folk built everything to last for an eternity & only destroyed by human destruction.

[@pwhitewick]

Awesome.... watching now. Thanks for having us along. A great day was had. Cheese and Egg all round.

[@MartinZero]

Cheers folks, great day

[@danielbarrows7144]

Cheers 🧀🍳🍻

[@barryhansen6854]

Don't see why he gave that look Cheese and Egg is great add Onion as well, NZ calling.

[@MartinZero]

Just ignore him he’s weird. Nowt wrong with egg n cheese

[@BialekChannel]

Absolutely amazing you were able to find that old photo of the drum atop those foundations that are still there. Love your videos Martin!

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much

[@gzk6nk]

Another super video Martin. Good to see you and the Whitewicks joining up to make it. Just a note - Froghall is pronounced 'Frogall', and the railway in the Churnet Valley north from Froghall station does still exist - as the heritage Churnet Valley Railway. I am a volunteer signalman at Consall, the next station up the valley from Froghall and a very beautiful spot only accessible by train, by canal, or by a tortuous narrow dead-end road down into the valley. If you are ever there while I'm on duty, come into the 'box for a cuppa. Later, a standard gauge railway was built from the Churnet valley Line at Leekbrook Junction to Cauldon Lowe quarries to bring the limestone out which spelled the end of the tramways. That railway still exists as part of the heritage Churnet Valley railway as far as Ipstones. Interestingly, the light railway order that authorised that covered the line from Stoke to Leekbrook and Leekbrook to Cauldon as single track standard gauge, and onwards via Waterhouses to Hulme end as narrow gauge, the long lost manifold valley line, now a cycleway / footpath

[@pfp200]

I love the way you go quiet when showing something special. The architecture speaks for itself very eloquently.

[@greghilton7797]

On this weeks show, Paul pokes a stick into the ground, Rebecca shows us some cold chips and Martin does a lot of huffing and puffing. Great stuff Martin. Cheers

[@kevinparkin5438]

Hi martin just watched your tramways video with paul and Rebecca very interesting to see the old tunnels that was part of our past glad that you didn't get stuck in the mud but the only thing I thought wasn't right was the egg and cheese buttie but each to there own well looking forward to more see you later ......

[@ABrit-bt6ce]

Chip buttie, food of gods.

[@TalesOfWar]

I read this in Richard Hammond's voice for some reason.

[@danielbarrows7144]

Three of my favorite people all together on a Sunday afternoon! I was wondering why I got two notifications simultaneously 😁

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Daniel

[@crazysoxcourier]

one thing i love about the uk is every 80 miles or so the accent changes and bread rolls have a different name!

[@nelztunes3018]

Buns mate, they're buns. 😆

[@JonnyInfinite]

@@nelztunes3018 clearly barms /barmcakes

[@nelztunes3018]

@@JonnyInfinite I thought I'd escaped the eternal bun/roll/barm, etc, debate when I moved to Germany, but it also rages here. I knew it as Brötchen, "small bread", but where I live in Bavaria it's called Semmel. It's still a bun though, the baker in Happy Families wasn't called Mr Barm Cake. 😆

[@christophermatthews6972]

@@nelztunes3018 The buns in the video would be called Kaiser rolls in some parts of the USA. German heritage?

[@nelztunes3018]

@@christophermatthews6972 It is indeed. The bakeries here have dozens of different rolls/buns, but the bog standard no frills one is called a Kaiser Semmel.

[@mileshigh1321]

Great History! Amazing how you found the photo of the incline cable wheel, and whats left of the foundation now! always nice to see you exploring with the Whitewicks too! When you think about how many people it took to build and run them all those years ago!

[@simontay4851]

Yes, that photo was amazing.

[@sparkyprojects]

That drum had an obvious cable from the bottom, but also one at the top, so it looks like it was a 2 line balance system, heavy wagons go down one line pulling the empty ones up, that explains the brake men I thik it was the angle rails that trevithick used to demonstrate his steam locomotive from merthyr tydfil to cardiff/barry docks (you should look on railmaps at the old dock railways, there's loads of lines) However, the locomotive broke the rails, but it was still the start of steam locomotion. That tunnel alrewady had mist, you don't know what was in the mist, safest to stay out.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks, yeah loved the drum

[@A.Martin]

we have a passenger tram in the city I'm from that is 2 on a single cable, so as one goes down it hauls the other up. most of the tracks length is just single track and then in the middle it splits apart and goes in to 2 tracks for the trams to pass. This will involve switching of some sort, whereas the 3 rail example in this video wont require switches at the passing point. you just have that middle rail sort of widen into 2 rails so you have 4 rails where you want the trams to pass.

[@janehigh5279]

I love these crossover videos, huge fan of both channels

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Jane

[@SueGirling68]

Hi Martin, wow just wow, what an awesome and very interesting video. I loved listening to the history and seeing the old photographs too but the 1779 bridges and the Trubshaw tunnel was just amazing to see. The Trubshaw tunnel is just stunning when you consider how many bricks it would have taken to build and how many workers that would have been needed to get the job done, an awesome feat for it's day. You definitely took the right decision in not going into the tunnel though as that is the kind of mud that would let you sink down but getting your foot back out would have been near impossible. Another awesome video from you, I thoroughly enjoyed watching so thank you for all your hard work to make the video possible and thank you also to the lovely couple who gave us the history of the area. Thank you for sharing, much love. xx 💖

[@bostonrailfan2427]

nice collaboration with the Whitewicks. it’s amazing how two people can have the same video shots of the same locations and tell different stories but with the same enthusiasm and understanding.

[@chrisheartscape2472]

The music on your channel is consistently sublime. The best soundtracked KZbin channel I have come across

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Chris

[@joshualeach6771]

The cow was the true hero of this weeks video. Loved it.

[@MartinZero]

She was

[@jmarsh3347]

As ever, Martin, quality, excellent quality. But where's James with the tea?

[@fhwolthuis]

Great video, loved that intricate masonry on the tunnel entrance!

[@brianartillery]

Excellent collaboration, Martin, and a that's a top shirt, chief. Beautiful day for it, too. Nice one.

[@MartinZero]

Hottest day, about 29

[@brianartillery]

I'm now worried that James has seen this, and will be providing cheese 'n' egg sarnies for your next expedition. Still better than coftea, though.

[@petergrant2366]

Walked the tunnel about 15 years ago, from the otherend, the silt is not so deep at that end, and came out at your end, all the way through you could feel a very hard surface underneath the silt, so it is do able, worth going back and having another go, there are some strengtherners mid way through what are interesting.

[@user-xq6me6pd7q]

Fantastic stuff. Little bits of encapsulated history that you might find in a book but brought to life be your visits. Many thanks guys!

[@Hairnicks]

Thank you Martin, another really good film and a collaboration with the lovely Paul and Rebecca, what a Sunday treat. I like to see lime kilns built today last as long as the ones you discovered at Froghall. The vintage photograph of the incline lifting gear was brilliant, what a contraption, but once again, it worked. The dressed stone on the arches and bridges as well as the beautiful tunnel was a joy. I laughed about the egg and cheese bap, still trying to work out if I can accept that as an option. Best wishes to all three of you. Nick.

[@ArcAudios77]

Thanks Martin, truly impressive build upon these Tunnels. Was amazed around the 25min mark. That entrance/exit was well built & excellently engineered. No possibility of being re-purposed, that's a shame. Good view, thanks to you.

[@whotknots]

Martin I am constantly surprised anew at the sheer beauty of where you live and ramble!

[@hullhistorynerd]

That tunnel was just fantastic, what an amazing thing just sitting there, gently decaying. I absolutely don't blame you for not going in; I think I'd have stayed back with the gear and a sandwich...

[@MartinZero]

I wanted to go in but got caught out in the cutting and nearly got stuck

[@hullhistorynerd]

@@MartinZero Yikes. I see now why you were so reluctant!

[@GGS1956]

Similar Tramway that I pass quite often close to Manchester, Tramway from Dove-hole village near Buxton down to the Peak Forrest Canal at Buxworth basin near Whaley bridge. There is good research as well on the tramway

[@briancopp4024]

Wonderful collaboration Martin.

[@richbrookes9297]

Another interesting video Thank you Martin, Paul and Rebecca.

[@boilerroombob]

1sr class as always martin and a big thanks equally to Mr and Mrs Whytwick xxx

[@Aldamiras]

Great collab Martin! These videos of out-of-the-way places, rivers, tunnels and artefacts are an enjoyment to watch. Keep safe, from Florida in the U.S.

[@ashbolight]

I love our country's hidden history And Martin's t-shirt!

[@danq.5140]

I don't recognize it, please enlighten me?

[@ashbolight]

@@danq.5140 the t-shirt has the symbol of Thunderbirds, a kids TV show done with puppets

[@danq.5140]

@@ashbolight Wow, I'm very surprised I didn't recognise it. Thanks.

[@ashbolight]

No problem!

[@1956vern]

Great adventure! Thank you all!

[@oismacca]

Only discovered this channel yesterday. Bloody brilliant. Keep up the great work!

[@gussyshield2456]

Enjoyable collaboration investigating an interesting topic.

[@regcook4087]

Great to see you slowly coming south Martin carry on working your way closer to the Midlands and Birmingham there’s plenty of History here for you to investigate, but if you can’t I’ll still keep watching. 👍

[@MartinZero]

I'd love to visit

[@alexac3098]

@@MartinZero I agree, I might be getting ahead of myself here, but it would be fascinating to see more urbanex across Yorkshire and down to Nottingham. You have totally hooked me on the history of Manchester, next time I get over to the UK we'll be spending our time in the north!

[@mickd6942]

Lots of tramways in my bit of s/ York’s , one at silkstone used small square blocks under the rails instead of sleepers which are still there and a replica tramway wagon stands on a plinth in silkstone village , in a wood near stainborough there is a tramway tunnel but the entrance is gated off but you can see into it , while building the m1 they found a stash of tramway wagon wheels, think most were to get coal to canal basins from collieries.

[@matthewrail6065]

Another great video Martin

[@navmantogo]

Great video, so enjoy seeing and listening to the history.

[@DesdomonaChild]

Wow, how fantastic, thank you xx

[@fuzzwack1]

Another FUN adventure!!

[@richardross7219]

The narrow canals and locks, in England, are fascinating to me. I'm a retired Civil Engineer and find that the genius of 200+ years ago is incredible. BTW, Mary Mansfield just did a tour of a canal this week. For the fun of it, you could measure the thread pitch when you run into old anchor bolts. In the US, we didn't really standardized threads until WWII. Many companies had their own thread pitches so that you had to buy parts from them. In some cases, the pitch allows you to date and know the manufacturer. Among my old tools, from the 1960s, are part of a set of Witworth sockets and wrenches(NEVER LOAN TOOLS!). I owned MGs and Triumphs in those days. SAE tools wouldn't work and confused me at first. Thanks for another very interesting visit. It was smart to not go into that culvert. Stupidity can be very painful. Good Luck, Rick

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Rick. Whitworth street Manchester 👍

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

Fascinating exploration of the early phases of rail transportation! The old photo's were fantastic. Well done to you and the Whitewick's.

[@williamwelbourn7932]

Great video as usual. What a difference a hundred years makes! Fantastic photos of the past.

[@tharkthax3960]

Another wonderous video! Loved it

[@MartinZero]

Thank you

[@bianchikat]

wonderful adventure and the runnel architecture was splendid.

[@OldDavo1950]

Great bit of cooperation between you guys

[@whiskeycook3323]

Stunning history,beautiful scenery, thanks for the video, safety first!

[@Sylvan_dB]

Next time going in the wet without waders, you might consider removing your socks. Dumping the water out of your shoes, letting them drain for a minute and your feet to dry in the sun, then putting on dry socks makes the rest of the hike much more comfortable (but obviously the socks will get wet - yet not as wet as yours got while wading).

[@Telfordultimateguide]

Great video!! love the lost tramways - Great collab

[@lunny74]

Another great video thanks Martyn. Really enjoyed that

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Mat

[@sorbabaric1]

Glad you persevered to the tunnel entrance. Beautiful entrance.

[@scottparker2598]

I'm from The USA and i Love the History Thanks for Sharing.

[@johnrogers2826]

Spectacular!

[@MartinZero]

Thanks John

[@neilmartin3220]

Will enjoy this later. Thanks Martin and the Whitewicks.

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Neil

[@hyperballadbradx6486]

Wow the brickwork of the tunnel. What a reward!!

[@cdgirl87]

brilliant video, thanks

[@darkstatehk]

Just incredible and what a real treat walking the historical pathway where those trams used to run. The music during the Trubshaw tunnel tour was perfect. Quick Google search yielded some photos from inside the tunnel from others that have visited it when the mud wasn't so bad.

[@barbhenderson4867]

Great video Martin and nice to see Paul and Rebecca xxx

[@matthewgriffiths8423]

Brilliant Martin. As always very interesting

[@iainpaton7129]

Great video friend thank you 😊

[@Animalambulanceandy1]

On parts of this very interesting video Martins hand and arm movements match perfectly with the international rescue top he is wearing in the Brook I could almost hear that famous theme tune 😀

[@eddiek0507]

A very interesting video, I thoroughly enjoyed it. We say Cobs in Leicestershire 😆 Good to see you with Paul & Rebecca, they do some great videos as well...😀👍👍

[@oldmanhuppiedos]

I think the history is beautifully told, I enjoy it.

[@jayman2145]

Once again a great video!

[@t_ruth555]

Enjoyed the video martin, those cottages were beautiful! 🔴🟡🟢

[@adamdnewman]

That was very interesting!

[@roosalwaysthesun8759]

Thank you all for sharing, loved thé nature and thé old story with thé tunnels, so awesome to see, loved it all. Roos 🙋🏻‍♀️👊🏻💪🏻🤗😊

[@jonathanchalk2507]

Good one, more please.

[@johngleeson6351]

my three favourite explorers together,i am in heaven ,well done to you all.

[@davidjohnireland4]

Great video Martin, fascinating tunnel as well, so well built

[@jabehauber]

Quintuple wythe! Such a handsome entrance. So well built. Beautiful.

[@UsualmikeTelevision]

What a great episode. Happy to see Paul And Rebecca as I watch there videos also! England is such a lovely country! Great Video Martin!

[@shirleylynch7529]

Fabulous. So interesting. Fantastic filming. Really appreciate all the exploring you do on our behalf. Brilliant vlog as always.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Shirley

[@murlthomas2243]

The tunnel is beautiful! The architecture is a sight! Wish we had work like this today…

[@grahamhall8249]

Brilliant video, brilliant guests. Loved the pic of the drum, well found. It's a batch here in Coventry!

[@1toppotter987]

Superb Martin! Local to me that was, and there was so much more history around you to film another time! Hopefully!.a solid 10

[@suecordingley538]

Great video Martin 😊

[@michaelmiller641]

Fascinating, and good cooperation there!

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Michael

[@BadGaming101]

very interesting as usual

[@wackbatt4746]

martin and whitewicks perfect sunday viewing

[@johnhockenhull2819]

Froghall and the surrounding area is so full of industrial archeology and history. It’s a fascinating area. Once I discovered it I returned several times to explore in different directions. Thanks for this video.

[@trainsinkansas576]

Great show comedy and all. Meriden, Kansas

[@capriman41]

Awesome I look forward to yours and trmz vids on a Sunday 👍👍👍

[@MartinZero]

Thank you

[@VintageSpeedwerks]

Awesome

[@fatbelly2438]

you should do a series on train/tram accidents on these old lines..

[@MartinZero]

Good idea

[@johnathanrowley2707]

Another great video between Martin and the whitwicks

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Johnathan

[@malcolmcog]

Another brilliant video, and co-incidentaly I was near Cauldon Low last week, looking at Ribden Mine, a disused lead mine.

[@pauldevey8628]

Great video, many thanks from us in Canada. Mrs. Whitewick is always looking effortlessly nice. Prof. Paul always impresses with his research. The three of you work so hard and diligently to educate and inform us.

[@christophermcdonald3596]

Another great video. You always do your homework very informative.

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Christopher

[@robertfletcher3421]

very interesting I enjoyed it.

[@anthonydefreitas6006]

Excellent explore Martin 👍

[@marktownsend9333]

Thanks 👍👍

[@simontalbot1792]

Another fantastic vid Martin. Best from Madrid

[@qrphfradio7753]

Thanks for another great and informative video, been following your channel for some time and really enjoy the content. Im still convinced our paths have crossed back in the 1980’s in our Younger days..

[@icewizzard666]

Cracking vid, think Paul and Rebecca are awesome too - already subbed to their channel for a while. Loved seeing that tunnel at the end, what an impressive structure! You're absolutely right, you can't risk it with all that mud and possible gasses!

[@metalhad101]

Great to see you together :)

[@nesleinf]

You, Paul and Rebecca make an exellent team. Hope to see more combined projects from you in the future. Thank you for taking us along!

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Bent

[@UKAbandonedMineExplores]

Hurrah, my favourite 2 channels together :) If you've not heard of it, we have the worlds first tramway bridge here, Causey Arch, built in the 1700s. There had been a recent bridge collapse when he built it and the arcitect thought his would collapse so jumped off the top and killed himself. It's still standing now. Yes, being British, it's important and becoming a tradition of your videos to show your tea. Wow, worth the effort just to see into that portal, no chance I'd go inside though, very sinky! Such a shame that tunnel is abandoned, but at the same time, it's abandonment makes it all the more beautiful, would love to see that.