The Hell Holes - Woodhead Railway Tunnels & Station to Hadfield - The Woodhead Route

[@russellwhiteoak772]

I've walked this route with my Dad a couple of times over the years and today was his funeral. I'm back (slightly fresh and) with a Gin and some scran and this appears on my feed. Loveley. We both enjoyed the Scarborough to Whitby route as well which you've also covered. Take care and please carry on with these great videos.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Aaww I'm very sorry about your loss. I'm glad it can bring a little comfort to you. Thanks very much indeed

[@timleech]

Condolences to you from another subcriber x

[@tonyrobinson362]

I know exactly what your going thro take care one step at a time.

[@peterthornton2396]

Bless you my friend ❤

[@a20axf]

Sorry for your loss. Clearly a sign from him ❤️

[@nickwiley480]

I’ve actually walked through the 3rd tunnel before it was sealed off properly. I had a rucksack on my back with a sml car battery in it wired up to a torch. It was amazing standing in the bottom of air shafts looking up at the condensation coming down like rain. But my biggest amazement was the door in the wall that led to a small canteen that still had the tables and chairs in it just as would have been when the railway workers were on there breaks

[@philthymiller]

Wow!

[@leer798]

Today things get photographed and filmed left right and centre - but back in the day it wasn’t so easy . Thank god for the ones that made the effort back then, for our nostalgia fix today ! 👍

[@TrekkingExploration]

I always find delight when I see old photos then you get those with old footage and it takes it to another level. It doesn't happen often and I feel so grateful. Thanks for watching 🙂

[@emptynest2travel]

Very interesting and educational. A lot of history here. Thanks for the share.

[@steadycamman1]

Thanks

[@TrekkingExploration]

Very kind thank you 🙂

[@Flossy_tops]

I only ever traveled the Woodhead tunnel twice but can remember it well, and is something that has remained in my memory box ever since. I never gave it a thought at the time that I would be passing through a remarkable passage of history, and only now do I realise how lucky I really was. …Thank you for sharing this film 👍

[@TrekkingExploration]

It's good that you got to do it. We take a lot of everyday for granted I suppose never realising it's the last time, at the time. Thanks for watching

[@AndrewCattermole]

Brilliantly produced and as informative as ever. I always look forward to your videos particularly old railway and canal. So interesting and entertaining. Great content, Andy Cat.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Very kind Andrew thanks very much indeed 😃

[@nickboden5866]

Superb Superb, the Landscape is stunning. Love the class 76 locos. As always a wonderful powerful footage, and superb music.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much indeed Nick 😊

[@timmoontransported.6385]

I walked this route a few years ago. Left the car at Woodhead and walked to Hadfield. My intention was to return on the bus, only to find there wasn’t one. It was a scorching day and I was on my knees after I walked back. So, so much for buses replacing a closed service. I do remember the line in passenger use, it was so surreal up there. Modern stations, an electric railway and nothing but moorland and the cry of a curlew all around.

[@TrekkingExploration]

It is a strange one not having a bus service even if it was every couple of hours it would be something connecting Dunford to Hadfield

[@bobcannell7603]

I walked through no. 3 after the track was lifted. Amazing echoes from the smooth concrete walls unlike other older tunnels. It was a long walk! And then back to my motorbike at Dunford Bridge. In the 90s I was part of a project to reopen the line (and no. 3) to remove goods traffic from the M62 by taking container trains from Liverpool to Hull. We even nearly bought a train ferry to take wagons over to Holland. Hull rebuild a rail link into the docks. We had surveys and costings to relay track. All looking good. And then John Major privatised the railways. Chaos ensued. Game over. Idiots in charge.

[@formidable38]

Everything railway related they touched, turned to s***. I never realised it was that close to reopening. What shame and a waste.

[@leeshepherd6512]

Typical Tory shambles.

[@martinl1053]

Great video and fabulous memories! I left school in 1977 and joined BR. I was based at Guide Bridge and frequently worked the Woodhead route. Working in the tunnel was pretty scary, taking shelter in the wall recesses as trains flew past. I also worked on the gang that replaced Torside crossing gates with barriers and that was only a couple of years before closure. Thanks again for a great video 👍

[@jetsons101]

Thanks to Ant for keeping "Vintage Steam" history alive and kicking. I tip my hat to the workers that dugout the first two tunnels --- all that work with no powered equipment, just sweat and muscle.

[@TrekkingExploration]

It's sad waste of time, money and life. I believe 6 were lost in the new tunnel construction

[@philsmodelrailway232]

Thanks!

[@TrekkingExploration]

Very kind Phil thank you very much ☺️

[@Richard_Barnes]

🚂 Another superb walk and what we'd give to be able to walk those tunnels or take a train pat that reservoir, wow😄Thanks Ant 👍🏻

[@TrekkingExploration]

Very kind Richard thanks very much indeed 😊

[@James-Power82]

No, Thank You for taking the time to do these fantastic videos 👍

[@TrekkingExploration]

My pleasure! Thanks very much indeed 😃

[@brucemunro8598]

First time I've watched one of your videos. The level of research you've done with all the old films and photos is most impressive, and the drone work, when you could fly, was lovely. Keep up the good work!

[@chrisbentleywalkingandrambling]

I've loved the vintage footage and pictures too Ant. Amazing. Thanks for keeping history alive.

[@briancollison5461]

I really enjoy the use of archive photos and videos. I've cycled this route several times but not for many years. Must do it again next year in warmer weather. Well done another great video.

[@nigelarmstrong252]

Great video. Got up that way from down south (nr Gatwick Airport) many times during the mid 70s to early 80s. It was heaven to a southern spotter ! Guide Bridge being one of my favourite places on the route. I travelled through to Sheffield Victoria 2 or 3 times too, the last trip being a rail tour. The station was closed but still looked like it could be reopened. What a wonderful looking place. The railtour went from the Guide Bridge side, along and through the tunnel then on, down to Sheffield Victoria. From there we went out and across to Tinsley and onto Wath. It's a bit sketchy now, so many great railway places in that area and it was ages ago. I've a feeling we went back the other way and through the tunnel again but I could be merging two visits ! Two of the trips were hauled by double-headed 76s through the tunnel. Another was a 40. Another trip, not via Woodhead was by double-headed 20s in the Sheffield area. I seem to remember that 6 or 8 class 77s were sold to Holland. They used 1500v back then and the locos were used there for a while. I've hundreds of photos but, sadly, didn't own any sort of video camera. After watching this video, I went on google maps and found the Woodhead tunnel on the map. If you trace the route from west to east, over the hill, you can see areas of man-made earthworks and nearby you can see the air vents of the tunnels. Much of the mud, soil etc. was removed up through these vents and spread out across the hill forming the earthworks. I found 4 or 5 examples. Zoom in and you can clearly see the earthworks to this day ! Again, a great video which brought back some great memories and also dismay at the criminal closure of this route despite lots of efforts to keep it open.

[@chrisbentleywalkingandrambling]

I've hiked a few times from Crowden and driven over the Woodhead pass numerous times and walked along the route of the tunnel above ground. I never knew the history. Thanks for sharing Ant. I really enjoyed this one.

[@soundseeker63]

Those old photos are wonderful! Props to all the guys who had the forsight to record the line in its final days before it was all pulled up! The closure of the line was not a popular move and I think that's in part why it was so well documented by the local people - It was clearly going to be a loss to the area, so a lot of photos and footage was taken in those final days, despite far fewer people having a camera back in the early 80s. I might take my bike with me next time I'm over Manc way and do an out and back from Hadfield, the scenary around here is (in the right conditions) to die for! The trip between Manchester and Hadfield still has the old LNER 1500v DC style catenary equipment and retains some of the feel it would have had back in those days of EM1/2 locos and 506 Units.

[@cedarcam]

On Sundays during engineering work the Trans Pennine DMU's were diverted this way and I was lucky enough to go on some. A lovely scenic ride and a quick one, it made no sense to close what was a far better line for freight than the Calder Valley or Huddersfield line, which could not be used for large containers due to the smaller tunnels. With 4 routes across the Pennines two were going to close the other being the Calder Valley. It was lucky WYPTE got involved and wanted to increase the number of trains from one an hour as far as Hebden Bridge and that saved the line from closure. Sadly Woodhead with few stations was not saved. Today like the Settle Carlisle it would of been a popular line for cyclists and hikers and still a very useful diversion during engineering work.

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

Thank you for this great informative great presentation

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thank you very kind 😊

[@jackjames3190]

Bravo on this SUPERB video 🎉🎉🎉 As good as if not BETTER than anything youd see on tv - the passion of an authentic enthusiast is unbeatable - keep up the great work ❤

[@jbconno]

Tunnel 3 is used by The National Grid to run power lines over to Sheffield. If you look at the pylon at the entrance to the tunnel the cables come off it and disappear underground where they're then routed through the tunnel. Its also used for telecommunication lines too.

[@winterbliss4459]

honestly ridiculous that they didn’t give the old tunnels a fresh coat of paint for that use. now the new, much more spacious tunnel is effectively off limits for any rebuild of this line unless you want to reroute that power line

[@soundseeker63]

@@winterbliss4459 A "fresh coat of paint".... as in a complete structural refurbishment to the tune of many millions of pounds... just to house some wires? That was never going to happen. Completely non-viable financially. At least National Grid will now have to maintain the new tunnel rather than letting that fall into disrepair too. If (exceedingly unlikely) the line ever was to be reinstated then the power cables would have to get re-routed over the top of the moor.

[@michaelhearn3052]

@@soundseeker63 The power cables would never be re-routed over the top of the moor as you describe, as the local authority would not allow planning permission to do this due to amenity issues, in what may be seen as an area of outstanding natural beauty. It would mean a number of transmission towers along the moor. The cables were renewed recently.

[@soundseeker63]

@@michaelhearn3052 I didn't say they would build pylons over the top of the moor. I said they would re-route the CABLES over the top of the moor i.e. sub surface level but not using the tunnel. But, seeing as how many supposedly natural beauty areas have had dozens of massive wind turbines put up all over them recently, I can't imagine why a line of pylons would be such a stretch to get planning permission for. And I would say of the two they are probably the less visually intrusive. Anyway, it's very unlikely to ever be necessary so no point fretting over it.

[@a11csc]

3rd tunnel closure a crime to humanity but big brown envelopes do wonders Ant

[@TrekkingExploration]

It's unreal isn't it? To think what it must have cost. 6 lives lost too I believe

[@schlollepop]

If you look at the trains, they all have hopper cars full of coal. At the time of closing, mining was in full decline. As for need for passenger service, check today’s bus services. We tried hiking there last summer, but all that runs there is a volunteer service on weekends. The area is beautiful, but largely devoid of people.

[@eolhcytoos]

A very well presented tour. Thankyou!

[@johnlaw3323]

What a superbly put together presentation of this once wonderful railway. Many thanks Ant for making and sharing this brilliant video.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Glad you enjoyed it John thanks very much ☺️

[@raywood569]

Yet another brilliant film, very short sighted of them to close that section. Fabulous views in summer or winter. Progress, I think not Thanks once again, stay well

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much indeed Ray. It's definitely a short sighted closure

[@BecsterDotCom]

Another great video. Love the old train footage. It would've been amazing to travel this line to see those reservoirs. Pretty sure I've driven this road for some reason. Just remembered why Hadfield rings a bell! That's where they filmed League of Gentlemen

[@TrekkingExploration]

Glad you enjoyed it Bec. The scenery would have been some of the best in the UK by rail. Also I love that series 😂

[@BecsterDotCom]

@@TrekkingExploration You've inspired me to rewatch the League of Gents!

[@TrekkingExploration]

@@BecsterDotCom I've been too with that idea for a good while! Daaaavvveee!

[@paularnthal7886]

The Video shop in the League of Gentlemen series, was originally my junior school ( just up from the station)😮​@TrekkingExploration

[@darreneveleigh4624]

Wonderful video, your best use of archive footage and photos yet. Walked Hadfield to Penistone last month. Like you i didn't see many other walkers. With some hikes along old lines you can feel enclosed in culverts or surrounded by trees so views can be limited, but the Woodhead is largely the opposite; a spectacular hike recommended to anyone (particularly railway fans!)

[@shirleylynch7529]

Glorious day for your explore. What a magnificent reservoir Woodhead is. Scenery amazing. Excellent filming and info as always. Loved all the old films and photos. Well done. Brilliant video.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Glad you enjoyed it Shirley thanks very much. I'll be back to do the rest over the Winter ☺️

[@steadycamman1]

Thank you for the video Ant, AMAZING, I am going to walk that route myself soon, thanks again for the video, cheers, Pete.👍

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much indeed Pete. I'll be doing other sections of the line and the surrounding areas over the winter 😊

[@tharkthax3960]

Real nice presentation with atmospheric music! Brought the video to life. I feel like ive just spent the day there, thanks!

[@TrekkingExploration]

Very kind thank you I'm pleased you enjoyed it ☺️

[@lindamccaughey6669]

Really enjoyed that thanks Ant. Love the old trains and stations. Loved those bridges. Beautiful area too, beautiful place for a hike. Thanks for share. Please take care

[@TrekkingExploration]

Glad you enjoyed it Linda 😌

[@ccjelley2390]

Many thanks for that, Ant. I travelled on the line from Sheffield Victoria to Manchester Piccadilly once in 1969, there were hardly any other passengers in the ancient corridor coaches but coming the other way was a procession of empty coal trains. Happy memories but sad to see what became of it.

[@levelcrossing150]

What a superb video and great archive of the old line. I passed there two years ago and would love to return to see it in more depth. Many thanks.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Glad you enjoyed it many thanks indeed 😊 It's a lovely area

[@ffrancrogowski6263]

I worked with a driver on the railway at Buxton who had been at Gorton (Manchester) shed as a fireman, and he was a victim of a wheel slipping venture in one of those single bores, back in the early fifties. Until they could gain momentum again, both himself and his driver on this particular heavy goods train had to get down on the floor to get the 'freshest' air, not that there was much! Great viseo Ant!

[@suzyqualcast6269]

Telyu what I never saw but miss - the Blue Pullman tramming across those short fields twixt Haddon tunnel and Rowley, slowing as it crossed the still extant stone bridge before overriding the main road, bridge gone but trackbed still abutting either side of, as it pulled into Rowsley Stn. Must've looked a beaut.

[@craigmarsh3221]

Hi that was a fantastic video I love the history of the railway plus such beautiful scenery well done you you deserve more than one beer keep the videos coming so very enjoyable to watch 😊.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Very kind Craig thanks so much 😊 I'll be back over the winter to do the other side of woodhead towards Sheffield

[@andymoss]

Brilliant film mate! The archive footage is incredible.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks Andy I'm pleased you enjoyed it

[@ianbolton9309]

Fantastic video was a stunning line such a loss so need it open today would be a superb trip and the views are breathtaking with those tunnels too 👍🤗

[@TrekkingExploration]

Glad you enjoyed it. I'll be back to do the other side of the tunnels over the winter

[@iantaylor6858]

Excellent vintage footage. Loved old locos too

[@RCassinello]

I cycled this about about 15 years ago - cycled up from Hadfield to Woodhead, then freewheeled back down again. Much more fun than the day before where I'd cycled down from Dunford Bridge to Wortley, and then spent and agonising two hours cycling back up again!

[@robertwalton6674]

Excellent video Ant. I (we) appreciate the research you put into making these films

[@TrekkingExploration]

I appreciate that Robert thanks so much :)

[@stevenstopford9847]

Absolutely brilliant video many thanks ant 👍🏻

[@TrekkingExploration]

Glad you enjoyed it Steven thank you 😌

[@jillanderson7048]

Fascinating....thank you for putting it together for us to enjoy.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much for watching 🙂

[@AllanBinks-wi5gj]

Great video, my Dad drove passenger trains on that route and was delighted when we visited the museum of science and industry in Mancheser timing a type 77 loco as an exhibit.

[@ianr]

Brilliant video Ant! Despicable and deplorable decision to close the line. I could rant all day about the Woodhead line! 🤬 Got you a couple of Coffees/Beers/Doughnuts on Ko-Fi. 👍🙂

[@TrekkingExploration]

I absolutely agree Ian. How many would have ridden this even for the views. Very kind of you thanks very much indeed

[@Lolasdad4312]

What an awesome video. Thank you so much for posting. My wife and myself will endeavour to do this walk in the not too distant future 😃

[@simonballard6413]

I cannot imagine anything sillier than building a double line tunnel, electrifying the route and then closing the line. Surely this was a much more direct route to Sheffield than either the Hope valley or Calder valley routes? Madness. But thanks for a really interesting video, Ant.

[@cedarcam]

It was a quicker route yes and a lot better suited for freight which due to smaller tunnels cannot run on the Calder Valley route.

[@TrekkingExploration]

It's almost like... Oh we have to spend some money lets do this with it and waste it 😔 It should have been left. I'm surprised it never got an attempt for a heritage line purchase

[@michaelheaton5469]

Wow amazing video thank you so much for sharing I have walked this route many times love it.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much for watching I'm pleased you enjoyed it

[@LenaSjogren-yk8rv]

hello and thank you for a nice and interesting video from you and I wish you luck with future films with greetings from Sweden

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thank you very much! I hope you are well 😊

[@davedear929]

What a brilliant video.. so much visual and verbal information...as an 81 year old railway enthusiast I never made it up there. I had so many questions about the route and tunnels .... you have more than answered them apart from one... was it really necessary to double head the trains...many thanks for a great video.. hope you got your cold beer you earned it that trip.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much I'm pleased you enjoyed it. I believe the double heading was due to the inclines at both ends of the tunnels

[@Mark_T]

Stunning. I'll have to pay that area a visit myself.

[@TrekkingExploration]

It's definitely worth it. I'll do the other side in the winter

[@fernwright7737]

Lovely there. If you’re feeling adventurous you can take the hike and rock scramble to Black clough waterfall ( starts near the tunnels) - nice walk along the waters edge to it. Only a small fall but nice to see.

[@TrekkingExploration]

@@fernwright7737 yes I saw that on maps I'm quite keen on doing this

[@Design2winLew]

Excellent vid Ant as always . Always been fascinated by this route and as you said it's very sad it is not longer there to be enjoyed in it's former glory .

[@TrekkingExploration]

Glad you enjoyed it thank you. I'll be back over the winter to do the other side of it

[@Design2winLew]

@@TrekkingExploration looking forward to that 👍

[@davebutterworth7414]

Absolutely brilliant content! Photos of which I’ve never seen before. I remember riding on this line as a child in the 70s on a diverted train ❤️ Great coverage Much enjoyed thanks ……

[@TrekkingExploration]

Glad you enjoyed it Dave thanks very much 😊

[@TheMisterB2u]

Excellent video, well researched and presented.Enjoyed it very much!

[@TrekkingExploration]

I'm pleased you enjoyed it thanks very much 😁

[@machosker]

Nice video, we are going to be in the area at the end of the month. Will look at maybe working this route while there.

[@michaelmiller641]

Thanks for that fascinating video, Ant

[@TrekkingExploration]

Very kind Michael thank you 😊

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

Marvellous scenary and some evocative archive footage. Thank you for reminding us of what was lost in what many - rightly - regard as the shortsighted closure of this Pennine route. As you say, it seems most unlikely that it will ever reopen, unless the power lines through the tunnel are made redundant by a reconfiguration of the electricity grid. Stranger things have happened...

[@rob1134]

Awsome photos and video footage of what used to be. I am just about old enough to remember the freight trains from the Woodhead route that travelled along the old Godley to Woodley line.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Glad you enjoyed it. I was born a little too late but it's great that some went out and filmed them with probably these huge video cameras

[@janepatricia8779]

Another good video Ant, some lovely scenery too, you were walking so fast you made me breathless 😂

[@TrekkingExploration]

Glad you enjoyed it I can't remember why I was walking fast 😂

[@gagwithgaffer8385]

Fabulous episode

[@alankennedy3398]

Fascinating video well done keep em coming 👏👏

[@TrekkingExploration]

Glad you enjoyed it Alan thank you

[@sixtyshippee]

Back in twenty seventeen a few days after the dreadfull Manchester Bombing i struggled with the trains from Hull to Southport in order to cycle the trans pennine trail over two days it was magnificent weather like you experienced and much of the route follows this through the pennines and is glorious , yes long distance cycling alone is grand and it dozent come better than this and a never to be forgot journey.

[@davidgarton-gg8mt]

What a beautiful area. 😍

[@dafdaffer1]

great video and footage, best yet

[@TrekkingExploration]

Very kind thank you 🙂

[@yorkshiremen1]

Whoever made the decision to close this,the only electrified crossing of the Pennines to this day, should be charged with criminal vandalism.

[@TrekkingExploration]

It does seem to be very short sighted especially today

[@stephendavies6949]

Great video. Just sent you a little gift to buy that beer you desperately needed! Also, to say "thanks for the excellent series of videos around Merthyr Tydfil recently.

[@TrekkingExploration]

That's very kind of you Stephen thanks very much indeed. I'll be back in South Wales again 🙂

[@bazza3643]

My first time on your channel. Very informative video, great photography, thank you.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Very kind thanks very much 😌

[@Udmudmudm]

Che bel video, bravo !!!

[@IndaloMan]

I lived in Glossop 10 years back and used to drive over Woodhead regularly. I remember when they upgraded all the electric pylons and cables running alongside the reservoir.

[@TheDaf95xf]

Being 67 and born in Urmston I had the short but sweet opportunity to go through the Woodhead tunnel. And I even walked through it when it closed and everything just left behind. It was a great line that should still be here 👍🏻 I’m

[@johnroberts8512]

Used as a diversionary route when the other route was closed on a Sunday also handy for Football specials to Sheffield Wednesday from the North West quick route to Sheffield that would be a must nowadays. I'm gutted that I never got to ride along it I remember the day it closed not great. Great video by the way

[@raybeaumont7670]

Cheers Ant - a very enjoyable viewing while I munch away at my breakfast. Such a pity that lines such as this no longer allow us to "ride and enjoy". I wish I was fit enough stroll along this track bed. Many thanks.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much Ray. I plan to walk from the other side of the tunnels over the Winter towards Sheffield

[@TheAcEgamer15]

I do love your trekking videos ant and also that you will say about something random that is happening I love

[@TrekkingExploration]

AHH thanks very much.. I'm pleased

[@brothermoto1964]

Ant. Superb video. I think it was 1979 (age 15 and on my own) that I somehow found out about weekend diversions for Sheffield to Manchester trains via Woodhead so I got myself there from Derby and had Class 45 haulage through the tunnel. Memory is a bit hazy of the logistics but I have (somewhere) a photo I took hanging out of the train window of the train about to exit Woodhead tunnel.

[@andrewmaurerandrew6801]

Quality as always top notch 👍👍🍷

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thank you kindly 😊

[@juleshathaway3894]

I enjoyed that very much. I have been to Dunfold Bridge and Woodhead in 1983 ( I think) and there was still one line through the tunnel. I ventured in for a few yards to get the photo looking out the portal. Had a look in the shell of Dunford Bridge signalbox too. I started doing the odd railtour from 1979 but Woodhead was one that eluded me and my pals sadly. I was a bit confused with something you said at 11:27 about it being quite a gradient uphill. I had to get my battered Ian Allan Gradient Profiles book out to have a look. The summit of the route is at Dunfold Bridge and on entering the tunnel it changes from 1 in 135 rising to descending at 1 in 201, at the western portal it steepens to drop at 1 in 117 for 5 unbroken miles then steepens more to 1 in 100 for 2 1/4 miles through Hatfield station to Dinting Viaduct where it becomes level. So at the 11:27 time you say you are about 5-6 minutes away from the tunnels the line is dropping so you would have been walking downhill the whole way.

[@fredphipps9452]

Thank you for this interesting video

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much for watching 😀

[@nickcaunt1769]

I went on this line a few times in the mid '70's on Nottingham Forest football specials to Bolton and Oldham.

[@TrekkingExploration]

AHH you got to have a ride, thanks for watching 😊

[@gordonwebster3809]

very informative have driven this route from middlesbrough to manchester many times now son has moved to ashton under lyne will take the dog up there cheers.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much Gordon very kind of you. Thanks very much for watching

[@landcrab75]

Superb quality film work - just as good as broadcast television. It would make a great cycle route if it isn’t already

[@garymutten4093]

Cracking video Ant. What a tragedy it closed. Hope you managed that cold beer at the end!

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much Gary. I think I did when I got home 😊

[@roberttisdale4441]

The rundown and closure of this route through the Pennines was a criminal waste, of both money, and the manpower that went into it. To build a modern tunnel at great expense and write it off less than thirty years after opening requires some explanation from the thugs at the Department for Transport - BR were just obeying orders - as they were behind this rundown and waste. The people who should be hanging their heads in shame at this vandalism are probably dead now but not forgotten for their brainless destruction. I remember stories of freight trains being re-routed in order to take them off this route intentionally to help the rundown. It was and still is a national disgrace. Of course there were excuses for the closure - non standard electrification, locos life-expired, and, of course, complications at the Sheffield end, with Victoria and Midland stations not being well linked, but, to write off a route with a superb new tunnel still defies logic. Unless you are a crook!!!

[@QQ_241]

I am 48 and find all of this baffling. So much expensive in more ways than money infrastructure that is irreplaceable got decimated just before or around the time of my birth. I have always found it unforgivable. Portland in Dorset and Barnstaple, Bideford, Torrington, Ilfracombe in Nortn Devon stand out to me. It's not like it was just moth balled either it was all put beyond use. Nowadays these lines would be thriving and it's not until it's too late does the local community start hopeless campaigns with no chance. Yet we make it a legal requirement to leave the rails in places they will never get used again due to safety such as Weymouth streets. All so tragic and baffling.

[@roywatson8133]

well said the tories never liked the railways

[@ClamTram96]

Politics, bad ideas made by rich morons who just use their position to either siphon tax money to themselves or implement backward ideas into the system

[@brianfearn4246]

It's worth bearing in mind when some of these railways closed private car ownership was becoming more popular and affordable for the masses by the mid 60s and you were bombarded by car advertising on tv on how good it would be to own a car for your own independence the idea behind this was to keep the British car industry alive but sadly thats all disappeared. Nowadays we're being encouraged not to own a car and use public transport 🤔😊

[@neilbarnett3046]

@@brianfearn4246 I wonder whether the main traffic became coal and quarry trains, and then we had "the dash for gas" and started importing much more coal.

[@jamesgilbart2672]

Brilliant exploration! Yes, the route is a sad loss and surely could still be part of an important link across the Pennines?

[@andrewmatley7688]

nice one Ant my neck off the woods cheers mate.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Glad you enjoyed it Andrew thank you 😊

[@gwynrandall7255]

Excellent very informative. 👍

[@TrekkingExploration]

Glad you liked it thank you 😊

[@macstyle2012]

I remember going over torside crossing in the early 1980s when I was quite young. Cannot remember much about it, but I do remember seeing machinery lifting the track.

[@TrekkingExploration]

That must have been around the time some of the photos were taking of track removal trains 😔

[@railfreightdrivergallagherGBRf]

My Dad broke down on a freight in the old tunnels back in 1950,I remember him telling me. As fireman he had to walk all the way back to Dunford Bridge box,being nearer than Woodhead box. They were nearly half way into the tunnel!! JG.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Oh my goodness that must have been quite scary. He wouldn't have had torches like we do today and on a live line

[@britishlongbarrows]

Look at those pantographs on the Type 76s - remember 'visiting' Guide Bridge and the depot at Reddish South when they were all lined up ready for the scrap heap - born in Manchester😀

[@geoffhobbs5287]

We walk our dogs from woodhead, we went there Wednesday and the water level in woodhead r reservoir was quite low. Weve also done a little bit from Torside towards Woodhead, our dogs loved that little pond between the track beds.

[@TrekkingExploration]

It's a lovely stretch isn't it? You could never get tired of it. Thanks for watching 😊

[@Snowy1of1]

New Sub here, your upload appeared on my feed, watched first 5 seconds and immediately clicked Subscribe and also hit the specific button to show that I enjoyed the video. As someone who lives on 1 side of the Pennines, I find the Woodhead route fascinating. (Amongst others!) I like it so much that I recreate the old days and drive trains, both Steam and Diesel through the tunnel using Train Sim World. It must have been quite grueling with all the smoke, steam and heat from the Steam engines going through, also Diesel fumes and heat, would be quite a thing to do. Health & Safety gone mad would prevent humans driving through them nowadays. Sad these expensive amazing transport lines where removed. Love the old photos of signal boxes, especially ones that really date the photo due to vehicles within them. I have a few vids to catch up on thats for sure.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Hey I'm pleased you have enjoyed it. I'm planning to go back over the winter and walk the other side back towards Sheffield. I imagine a lot of train crew dreaded going inside them and others on steam locomotives. Also the signal box halfway through the tunnel must have been dire

[@_wood]

I never used this line during its lifetime. I have used a little bit from Picadilly to Ashbury station. However I have cycled it many times and walked parts of it from the tiny car park at Hadfield. The scenery is fantastic. My father would have worked goods trains as a guard through Woodhead which he said was a modern "clean" tunnel. It is a shame when any tunnel goes out of use, but at least the tunnel now hosts the main cross Pennine electricity link cable system, hence the proliferation of pylons running up the route. The original DC power system was quite an efficient one using regenerative braking of trains running down hill to feed power back partly powering the ones on uphill sections. There is an example of one of the locos in the Manchester Science and industry museum, which has an electric hob for the train crew to boil a kettle or heat up food not something we would see today.

[@joelchristensen9503]

Really neat video! Love British rail history. As an American Thomas the tank engine got me into British railroading.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Very kind thanks for watching 😌

[@ShaunieDale]

Beautiful scenery and beautifully edited together. On another note, thank you for your restraint and flying your drone with care. I fly model aircraft and many of the new regulations we have to suffer are due to irresponsible drone flying. If only others flew with the responsibility you do.

[@drevo50]

Excellent film.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Very kind thank you for watching

[@leeshepherd6512]

About time this was reopened.

[@TrekkingExploration]

It would be good. Thanks for watching

[@kevanhubbard9673]

I've walked from Glossop up to those tunnels but obviously never through them!Done them from the east side too walking from Pennistone.I think it's one of 3 closed lines that actually crossed the Pennines the other two being much further north;the Redmire to Garsdale and the Darlington to Tebay.