The Lost BIRKENSHAW & TONG Station - What Remains?

[@AdventureMe]

SOUND ISSUES: I am aware of some sound issues in this video. I now know what was causing it, and it's all down to a wind reduction setting on the camera. This has since been amended on future videos. But as I film many weeks ahead, it has meant that it's taken a while for it to be brought to my attention. I find if you watch the video on any device other than a mobile phone, it sounds much better. Due to the audio processing limitations on a mobile phone.

[@mecaptkirk]

Hey Darren, thx for introducing yourself. I was just wondering today myself what your name was. I live across the pond in Canada and I discovered your channel via Martin Zero’s channel. Love your informative videos and I’ve actually gone back to your first videos and watching every one in order. Keep educating people about your patch of the world. Cheers, Kirk.

[@ALWResearchTeam]

It’s amazing that these railways were built at great expense only to be got rid of again within 100 years. Thanks for making this video

[@AdventureMe]

I know, they didn't last that long. And so much effort.

[@martinmarsola6477]

Another great video today. Thank you Darren. See you on the next.

[@Ray121946]

Thanks for the video, really enjoyed it. I have lived in Birkenshaw for 46 years but the track had already been lifted. The track bed, however, was very much intact. My son used to play in the tunnel with his friends. I remember the tunnel being filled in for safety reasons. A hole had appeared n the road and one could apparently see the sky through the roof of the tunnel. I remember seeing the remains of the platform which is now presumably still underneath the grazing land. The land level appears to be much raised at that point. Look forward to watching your other videos.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Ray.

[@kevinwalton4538]

Hi Darren love your videos. A point for clarification, you frequently mention the Low Moor branch, from the Tong direction meeting up with the Low Moor branch from Dudley Hill, thus somewhat forming a triangle. In the triangle from Dawson Lane to Shetcliffe Lane stood Crofts Engineers. It bordered the section of line we refer. My place of work from 71 , so just missed out on the railway era, but I do recall the fantastic structure under Dawson Lane. Back to my point for clarification. The branch from Tong to Low Moor NEVER existed. The bridges were built, cuttings formed and the track bed created, however the lines were NEVER EVER laid. It’s worth a look up . Don’t let that detract you. I enjoy, along with many others , your vids so keep up the great work!

[@AdventureMe]

I wondered why on the old maps it didn't show any track, just a cutting. On the old map it says "railway in course of construction". Suppose they never completed it then. Thanks.

[@NJBamforth67]

Really enjoying your Films and lots of History Darren xx thank you xx

[@AdventureMe]

My pleasure

[@thiswomantrains4196]

I live on Station Lane in Birkenshaw so this is fab to put the area into perspective. I‘ve walked the paths that you walked so many times and never been able to make sense of where the railway was

[@AdventureMe]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@looneytune6955]

Love looking back through the early railway videos you did, can't believe its three years ago when i started watching.. A friend of mine lives near the tunnel, you can see the extension i built at 8.52. The tunnel was till open some time back, i watched them pump concrete slurry into the void they bricked up, before that you could feel the rumble in my mates house whenever an HGV went over the tunnel.

[@AdventureMe]

I know. Time flies

[@numberonefan4699]

Thanks for another amazing video 👍 and the sound quality is much better 🔊👍👍

[@AdventureMe]

Yay, thank you!

[@numberonefan4699]

There's nowt better than a good Yorkshire video 👍but you can make it even better if you want 🤔... Includ your dog 😁 thanks again 👍 👍

[@AdventureMe]

@@numberonefan4699 He agrees, but he's a bloody nightmare when I'm filming. Tugging and pulling whilst scouting for food. He is a beagle afterall.

[@danielsedgwick5476]

Love all the old pictures...

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Daniel.

[@dianeshepherd7913]

Thanks for the video, wow lots of trees, but then again there always is by train tracks, till they get blown down, then all trains stepped ! loved going on a steam train when i was a child.

[@christelbraune4530]

Schön dass ich nochmals schauen durfte 👋👋👋 Danke Darren

[@davidcockayne4502]

Another very interesting and addictive piece of work. We now know what your favourite word is..................abutment. Keep up the great work.

[@AdventureMe]

It's abutment in this one, and bridge in others. I tend to repeat certain words a lot. lol

[@rorymg]

This was a momentous video. You formally introduced yourself! 😉 Great vid. It’s mad how much this line has changed and how little is left of it.

[@AdventureMe]

I know. Thats how new the channel is.

[@leewarren5801]

I’m really enjoying these videos. I live in Henderson, Nevada, USA - but I grew up on Carlisle Road in Pudsey. We used to play in Greenside tunnel as well as the embankment over to Tyersal, and I would walk the railway cuttings to school at Crawshaw High school. Looking forward to the Pudsey section!!

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Lee. Greetings to Nevada, bet it's very hot at the minute. I was only there in January.

[@lindseykaine-walley6339]

Your videos are absolutely fantastic, you put your heart and soul into these, you can tell. Can't wait for you to do some on Sheffield!

[@davidharwood6209]

The ardsley line crossed shetcliffe lane on a level crossing,picture can be seen in Bradford railways in colour vol,2 the lancs and York's and GN lines ,page 89. Great videos Darren.

[@granvillefoster6719]

Hi Darren, enjoyed the latest episode, as always great research/story board before you head out filming. Looking forward to the next. G.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks 👍

[@a11csc]

super as usual darren cant wait for next episode of this

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate. Coming soon.

[@alisonwilson8606]

Good video and weather

[@bigmonkey999888]

H Darren, worked in a warehouse at Dudley Hill in the 70’s didn’t have a clue about the old railway! Absolutely fascinating. Thank you Steve

[@AdventureMe]

Where abouts did you work? I might have mentioned it in the next video.

[@bigmonkey999888]

AdventureMe hi Darren, I worked for Kay & Co Anchor works from 76-80. The site then changed to Family Hampers and is now a distribution warehouse can’t remember the name of the present occupiers Steve

[@AdventureMe]

@@bigmonkey999888 Oh I know the one. At the top of Holme Lane near the traffic lights on Tong Street. I used to go on the Kays factory shop there.

[@DD-zd9lw]

Footbridge photo brought back memories. Rope swing from central stand to stone abutment over a rather large puddle. Played on this section of trackbed back in the 70's.

[@AdventureMe]

Amazing. My playground too in the 80's, although most of it gone by then.

[@paulrobinson8263]

Just moved to Birkenshaw so thanks for showing me some local landmark history, I’ll carry on over the coming weeks looking at the rest of your very well done informative videos, thanks for sharing and respect. I do a lot of WW1 and WW2 visits but prefer the Winter time as the lay of the land becomes more clear, not always possible i know because of weather etc, great job I’m impressed, Robbo 👌👍

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate. I've done a WW2 related video not far away from here too. The Halifax Bomber Crash. And also the Birkenshaw Canal.

[@christelbraune4530]

Dankeschön für das Video. War gut Darren

[@dieselbushcraft1299]

Thanks for sharing your videos, very interesting to see the history.

[@AdventureMe]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ianshaw8367]

I lived down Dawson 70 years ago and remember the two tunnels under Tong St and Dawson Lane. Remember taking the train from Dudley Hill to Bradford. Down Shetcliffe Lane there was a level crossing on the main line and lower down the branch line went under the lane to join the branch line from Dudley Hill to Lowmoor.

[@AdventureMe]

Yes I missed the fact it was a crossing, i thought it didn't add up.

[@nigelkthomas9501]

Was the east to south curve that avoided Dudley Hill ever actually laid? I was led to believe I wasn’t, because the line to Low Moor was closed so early on.

[@AdventureMe]

@@nigelkthomas9501 no the curve from ardsley line down to low moor was never finished. Just the low moor to Dudley hill section.

[@nigelkthomas9501]

AdventureMe I remember some dickheads starting a fire 🔥 once in underpass ‘tunnel’ beneath the A651 Bradford Road, East Bierley about 20 odd years ago. From a distance it looked like a train had just past through! 😜

[@AdventureMe]

@@nigelkthomas9501 Ouch, probably why they filled them all in.

[@seany84uk]

Great video! I found you thanks to Martin Zero, i live in Halifax right next to the old high level line tunnel near wheatley and the odd time weve heard the sound of trains from the portal 100% real!

[@AdventureMe]

Very cool! I will be covering that one very soon. I already filmed the Thornton section with the Whitewicks for next monday on their channel.

[@seany84uk]

@@AdventureMe nice one i look forward to it too. i love this abandoned railway stuff. Hopefully while they are over near halifax they should do the ripponden / rishworth railway.

[@nixtax3526]

Another interesting vlog mate, still plenty of clues of the railway if you know where to look. Hope u have trimmed your muff now 😉 .

[@AdventureMe]

Yes it's all trimmed. It wanted a Brazilian, but then it wouldn't keep out the wind noise.

[@pleasureattic9186]

Brilliant video Darren. The TNT is practically by my house. I was hoping you’d do a video on the old former station in Birkenshaw. Very interesting

[@pleasureattic9186]

Use to play in that bricked up tunnel as a child!! They are trying to get permission to build a house on top of that tunnel! Nobody seems interested though as think they are scared they won’t be able to dig down deep enough with the tunnel being underneath. The lane was up for sale but don’t think it sold

[@martinnaylor]

Until finding your channel Darran I never realised how interested I was in the old rail lines,I've grown up and still live in Saltaire so I guess I've grown up living next to one. As kids we walked through the old Thackley tunnel but wonder if it is still accessible?

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Martin. Did you see my saltaire videos?

[@martinnaylor]

@@AdventureMe I have seen them,that's how I came across your channel by searching for Milner Field videos,we used to play up there as kids so have been many times.👍🏻

[@SammyBlanny]

I was expecting this to be a bit of a boring vid, but i found it very entertaining and informative

[@AdventureMe]

I think that was a compliment lol, thanks mate. Plenty more on my channel.

[@MichaelTinker-dt1rp]

another great video on the lost railways i live above what was the Micklehurst Loop line from Diggle to Stalybridge

[@kevinwalton4538]

Great Vids Darren. The branch to Low Moor although prepared, never had tracks built.

[@AdventureMe]

I never knew that. Thanks

[@douglasthompson296]

G'day Darren, just seen this vid and cause it's Birkenshaw & Tong it had to watch it. As I have said before my late dad and his relatives are all Birkenshaw born, plus some from Tong Road. I never knew about stations and they were never mentioned as I guess as a young lad they had all closed. Seeing your adventures there I can now picture some of the landmarks esp in Biley Village. I was brought up in Batley and usually caught the number 4 or 4a bus from Dewsbury to Bradford and in those days there were still conductors who were given orders to make sure us lads were put off at the coop shop in Birkenshaw where gran or someone would be waiting. How times have changed, same as it did back then when my folks got their first car once the post war new. car waiting list put second hand ones back on the market 😎 Happy days!!! Cheers matey from a nostalgic Victor Melrew (aka DougT the Mancs pensioner) and Mrs Warbouys sends her best wishes 🙄

[@AdventureMe]

Hope Mrs warboys got that bunion sorted out?

[@owt166m]

Hi Darren enjoying all your videos. Have you thought of doing the old rail line from Wyke to Brighouse. Viaducts and bridges are still there and I think there were 4 stations. Keep up the good work i'm already looking forward to your next video.

[@AdventureMe]

Yes I have, it's on my wish list. I will get there eventually. Thanks

[@jamespitman9319]

Wow, I’ve lived around most the places you document, fascinating seeing all the hidden history. Keep up the great work

[@AdventureMe]

More to come!

[@allanbamford9561]

I remember looking over the bridge at the top of Dawson Lane in the early 70s when both lines had closed but before demolition and the main Bradford- Wakefield line under Dawson Lane was built on top of a bridge that carried the Dudley Hill-Low Moor branch, it was very deep to the bottom of both bridges. I always regret not taking a photograph as I have never come across anything similar.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for the memories.

[@agispolis4274]

Hi Darren. I lived in a house on shetcliffe lane where the branch split into two. It was tucked away behind the sandy coloured building. I have a picture from above clearly showing the railway lines.

[@AdventureMe]

Would love to see it.

[@kevinparkin5438]

Hi Darren loving your video's thinking of doing some of your walks around Leeds done the walk from Woodlesford to leeds many times but didn't know about the lost village and a big thank you for doing the Leeds viaduct always wondered where that went well keep up the good work on past railways looking forward to seeing more all the best kevin

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Kevin. Much more to come.

[@simonrichardson5077]

rhanks darren,great work

[@carlsturges6048]

At 2:06 I think that's one of the crossing gate posts by your left elbow? Excellent videos too, I only discovered your channel today.

[@AdventureMe]

Yes it is Carl. I noticed afterwards. Welcome aboard, hope you enjoy.

[@louisereuben5740]

I grew up around here My mother was born in 1945, when Dudley Hill station closed she and her siblings and friends were playing on the old tracks, thy disturbed a wasps nes, the kids all set off running in different directions but my mum was the only one the wasps followed, she still has scars from the amount of stings she got!

[@AdventureMe]

Sounds horrible. I briefly remember the old abandoned dudley hill station remains when I was a nipper.

[@ianshaw8367]

Worth downloading "Explore Georeferenced Maps National Library of Scotland" for old maps of railways etc anywhere in the UK

[@nigelbarker4135]

Ian Shaw Nice one Ian😀👍👏👏

[@AdventureMe]

Do you mean the side by sides, as I call them? If so, I use them currently. Or are you talking about something else?.

[@ianshaw8367]

@@AdventureMe Same as the side by side. www.archiuk.com/cgi-bin/build_nls_historic is also an old victorian OS map.Shows the branch line from Dudley Hill to Lowmoor joining the Birkenshaw branch.The Dudley Hill branch went through a short tunnel under Dawson Lane and was used as an air raid shelter during WW2. We used to go through there as boys and the old bunk beds were still. It later got bricked up at both ends.

[@matthewhudson5342]

I used to go to Tong school too in the early 90s and we used to bunk off school in that tunnel and the picture you showed of inside it is exactly home I remember it 👍

[@AdventureMe]

Funny that. My brother said the same. He said they used to bunk off and hide in that tunnel.

[@matthewhudson5342]

@@AdventureMe it wasn't the best place to go in your school uniform it was a total bog my mum wasn't best pleased with the state of it though good job she didn't know how it got like that she would have killed me haha

[@WmDavidHarrison]

If there weren't all these abandoned railways where would they build all the industrial units? Another interesting vlog down railway memory lane (or do I mean track?).

[@AdventureMe]

Yes too true, plenty of flat empty land for these units to sprout up.

[@stevemyers1071]

Great video Darren! Really interesting stuff 👍

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks 👍

[@angelsone-five7912]

At circa 2.30 when you are describing a station site I was a bit surprised that you didn`t mention that the post on which a crossing gate hung was still standing to the left of the entrance. Just thought I`d mention it. Great vid as usual, on to the next.

[@AdventureMe]

Hi Hazel, yes totally missed that. A few people have spotted it. I don't normally miss these, as you will see in my other videos.

[@johnhird8490]

Awesome videos. Just come across these, really in depth an informative bits of history. Well done 👍🏻

[@AdventureMe]

Welcome aboard! Hope you enjoy.

[@sfoster1561]

New wig Darren nice.

[@AshOutdoors]

Really fascinating & well researched keep up the great work Darren 👍🏻 Just a suggestion... Lowering the opacity of the old images would look great as an overlay to your own footage to show then and now 👍🏻 Looking forward to the next instalment.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks. I do that on some of my other videos, it depends if I can match it at that time.

[@AshOutdoors]

@@AdventureMe Just watched part 2 of the milner fields explore, that is exactly the type of thing i was talking about, stunning job Darren 👍🏻👌🏼

[@AdventureMe]

@@AshOutdoors Thanks Mate.

[@alanraistrick3339]

great videos darren,i work near this old on tong st

[@AdventureMe]

Cool, thanks

[@GENERALWA5TE]

This is the video I have been waiting for 😁, 14:00 in where you are mentioning the split, if you look at Google maps, I'm not sure that it had split then , I think it started to split where the princes factory is.

[@AdventureMe]

Hi Phil. No it started earlier as it had to go down a steep gradient. When it was at princes it was already 10-15ft below the main line as you can see in the video.

[@GENERALWA5TE]

@@AdventureMe ahhh. When it splits off to low moor, while still in Bierley it comes back on itself and goes over shetcliffe lane, not far from there is the coal pits which you can access from new Toftshaw or shetcliffe. If you access from new Toftshaw there is a steep embankment at one point there is maybe a mini access which has been bricked up or something else.

[@davidkay4923]

Hi Darren. Just watching this video and I went to Yorkshire Martyrs which is on the site of Tong School. It's still there, just burnt down lol

[@AdventureMe]

Yeah I remember YM. I was at Tong when it was open.

[@suesmith4366]

Brilliant 😎

[@AdventureMe]

Thank You.

[@frankie5173]

Bradford is on its back....

[@AdventureMe]

Hopefully one day.

[@MrLocobloke]

G'day Darren nice work mate

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks rob

[@roll_credits6136]

Hi Darren, I’ve discovered your channel this afternoon, and can I just say... WOW! I’m really impressed with the quality of your videos! Also how informative they are! (I’m not local to this area at all!) but I find it really interesting! Just some constructive criticism... when you were at the sites at where level crossings used to be, you didn’t point out the original gate posts which are still visible and have survived to this day! BTW, I have watched all the adverts, and I’ve subscribed! I’m looking forward to your future content! 👍🏻

[@AdventureMe]

Hi, thanks for your kind comments and welcome aboard. I do normally point out the gate posts, as you will see in my earlier videos. I just missed these ones for some reason. Hope you enjoy the rest and what's to come. Darren

[@roll_credits6136]

AdventureMe Great Content! By the way, what sort of smart watch is that? 👍🏻

[@AdventureMe]

@@roll_credits6136 It's a Fossil Gun Metal Android Watch. It was a Birthday present last year in Las Vegas.

[@roll_credits6136]

I’ve shared your channel on Reddit, I hope it brings subscribers or at least some traffic your way! 😁

[@AdventureMe]

@@roll_credits6136 Thanks mate. Much appreciated. I don't understand reddit.

[@kikass666]

Another great video :) Thankyou !

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks again!

[@shaggypyro]

9:56 minutes in. The house in the background is where the line used to run left to right. It's not important but just thought I'd let you know. Enjoying your films.

[@stuartsimmons3470]

hi darren loving the vids are you hitting greenside tunnel and the tracks thru pudsey anytime soon .

[@AdventureMe]

Hi Stuart, already filmed greenside section, will be out on the channel soon. I'm just prepping up to finish the route through Pudsey and onto Stanningley soon.

[@joylunn3445]

Re Shetcliffe Lane, I used to ride at the stables on Shetcliffe Lane and we use to get fish and chips for lunch, we younger ones used to go up to the demolished railway bridge that crossed the road, climb over the blocking wall and eat our fish and chips on the grassed over bit between the wall and the drop on to the road. Kids eh.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for the memories Joy. My uncle told me a similar story on the same bridge. But he was walking back after the pub, climbed over the wall for a pee and fell down the embankment. He didn't know it was a sheer drop at the side.

[@bustermustaffa6594]

Hi Darren Barlow thank you for another cool video :)

[@AdventureMe]

No problem 👍

[@susanbentley9295]

Hi watching your video great I live in the house at Tong cemetery at side of railway can I please ask where you got photos would love some I was born in that house thank you Susan

[@mandychew9611]

I went to Tong school too & I didn't know about the railway line either. The husband's uncle is buried in the graveyard (along the wall along Tong Street), he was Fred Trueman's cousin (a bit of useless info) .

[@DaleSteel]

The tunnel is filled in and screeded up by council. If you look on the private road you was on you can actually see the roof of the tunnel and stand on it because the tarmac has worn away. You can see the metal support and the arch of the bricks between. This is unusual construction for a tunnel. Probably explains why the filled it in. I've got a picture of top of tunnel.

[@AdventureMe]

I never noticed the roof. Mind you it was wet and muddy that day.

[@shaggypyro]

13:40secs Low Moor branch, a few streets too soon as it use to run under Shetcliffe Lane and through East Bierley to Low Moor station.

[@AdventureMe]

Hi Mate, It split just behind the Cemetery before Toftshaw Lane, it ran along side the existing line for a fair way as it dropped in gradient, before breaking away just before Shetcliffe Lane. You can see it on this map. maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/side-by-side/#zoom=17&lat=53.76553&lon=-1.70676&layers=168&right=ESRIWorld

[@shaggypyro]

​@@AdventureMe The old map in the link is as it was and I have seen the route on other maps. Perhaps it is just the way you are pointing in the video that makes it look and sound like you were saying the line split behind the cemetery and then went off down Toftshaw Lane. It split right behind Shetcliffe Mill as seen on the old map you linked and then veered off down the back of Ferrand Avenue. You can clearly see on Google Maps the route it used to take. This is all constructive observation and not discrediting your work which I do enjoy. I wish I could send you the map with lines marked out where the line used to go.

[@shaggypyro]

@@AdventureMe if I am wrong, sincere apologies.

[@stephenwarwick4180]

I am very interested to know where you obtain your old maps from?

[@AdventureMe]

National Library of Scotland

[@TurboTimsWorld]

On the M62 I swear that was Martin Zero"s Mini and the two Paul and Rebbeca's Range Rovers

[@carolinegray3150]

Good

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks

[@owt166m]

Hi Darren enjoying all your videos. Have you thought of doing the old rail line from Wyke to Brighouse. Viaducts and bridges are still there and I think there were 4 stations. Keep up the good work i'm already looking forward to your next video.

[@leehepton7091]

Hi Darren I was wondering if you would like to come and have a look round Hopton and South Elmsall there is plenty to see from the lines and tunnels and bridges and all the stuff if so get in touch with me and we will arrange going out and I will show you all the spots around where I live there is plenty to see lots of old railway cuts and tunnels and bridges and I could also take you to a farm near me where they have the old signal box and plus there is a station still intact on one of the lines near my villageand plus there is lots of station platform still intact

[@AdventureMe]

One day soon hopefully.

[@joylunn3445]

What a fucking mess they have made of what was already a pretty grim pair of 1930's semis, but I suppose if they live on the inside they don't have to to look at what is on the outside.

[@mickeytheviewmoo]

one manc would of been straight down the banking to the Birkenshaw Tunnel Entrance without thinking. To be fair, you eventually decided to go with trainers. Get some walking boots😆

[@Dwaine-ej7nm]

Didn't you do a video where upper batley railway was now chinewood avenue batley

[@AdventureMe]

No mate, not yet.

[@Schenkerflyingv]

The landowner is currently flattening the embankment off Drighlington bypass

[@AdventureMe]

Yeah I know. I pass it quite regular. At least I got it covered.

[@ianhudson2193]

You Missed at least two level crossing gate posts so far!😉

[@AdventureMe]

I know. I get distracted sometimes

[@ianhudson2193]

@@AdventureMe easily done!😉

[@andjuju64]

You need to buy a drone camera, that would improve your videos.

[@AdventureMe]

Oh yes, it's on my wish list. Just waiting for my work to start again next year.

[@andjuju64]

@@AdventureMe I enjoyed your vid. I grew up in Dudley Hill & also went to Tong School. (now live in OZ).

[@sarahillingworth2718]

I bet you get some nosey people asking what you're doing when you're filming lol

[@AdventureMe]

I sure do. Quite often. Some are very suspicious.