The Lost EAST ARDSLEY 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.

[@trevormegson7583]

You're keeping our hidden heritage alive. So fascinating. Thank you.

[@AdventureMe]

My pleasure! Much more to come.

[@martinmarsola6477]

Thank you for the walking tour. Very informative and interesting. Cheers Darren.

[@garethhodgson7727]

Fantastic 👌 we have so many people that are new to the village and have no idea if its forgotten importance .

[@AdventureMe]

That is true. My friend lives right next to old station, didn't have a clue.

[@jameshartley95]

great watch thanks!

[@davidharwood6209]

You have created some wonderful historical videos I thank you,you've done a grand job,ps my passion was Stanley station..

[@waynecheshire7878]

Looking forward to the new adventure 🚂

[@werdnarotcorp8991]

Between Ardsley station and the (now) M62 on the left of the railway looking towards Leeds was a row (or two) of houses, Station Terrace maybe, where Ernie Wise(man) was brought up. He was a couple of years younger than my mum though she went to Thorpe school and he to East Ardsley. The Station essentially defines the Thorpe / East Ardsley boundary. You mention the sidings on the right hand side of the line to Leeds however I never ventured over there but the main place in East Ardsley was the Sheds situated about 1/2 mile south towards Wakefield next to the bridge at the bottom of the Ardsley falls. This was where they did a lot of maintenance and shunting. Both my Grandfathers were drivers out of Ardsley and my uncle was a signalman. It's great to see someone have an interest in the old railways and what I consider local history particularly as I now live in Arizona. I see you have a video about Morley High station, something I remember too as the track ran alongside Morley Grammar School, where I went to secondary school.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for the memories. Yes plenty more to come, I will cover them all eventually.

[@ianhudson2193]

Nice to see the area i work past so often covered in detail.... The "strange contraption" is the base of a goods crane from the old freight depot. It may interest you to know that, just south of Ardsley site there is still a stack of precast, reinforced concrete beams stored there in WW2 for emergency repairs on bomb damaged bridges. Such stacks were located at keys points around the network, the stack at Ardeley never having been used.

[@josephbryanmitchell5938]

interesting, good to keep this stuff alive. I was brought up on Wolseley Terrace, down The Fall and remember the railway sidings, Engine shed, water tower etc; in the 50's we used to have club day trips all the way from Ardsley Station to places like Scarborough, Brid, and Blackpool without changing trains. wish the powers that be would replace a station here. the bus service for East Ardsley is Abysmal especially into Leeds. the city we pay rates to.

[@stureid5928]

I used to go "train spotting" here seventy years ago. Funny how the old pictures look familiar, nothing looks familiar on the new photos. Used to see most of the A4 locomotives that went through the station at 70 mph. Emigrated to Wyoming in 1956, that was a BIG change. Interesting vids.......Thank You Stu Reid

[@AdventureMe]

Brilliant. Thanks for the memories.

[@nixtax3526]

Great vlog mate , amazing how all that infrastructure can be swept away with no trace. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks 👍 Yes, it does get better going forward.

[@deanbrown29]

Gonna be a brilliant series, looking forward to it

[@AdventureMe]

Oh it gets better. And so does the sound quality lol

[@Wedgedoow]

Another good one, looking forward to the rest of the series, congratulations on your 1k subscribers.

[@AdventureMe]

Hi Pete, Thank you very much!

[@billybritvic5500]

This is going to be a good series. Really enjoying.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks, it does get better.

[@jalfion]

I always saw those bricks in the little walk past Country Baskets (Ardsley mill) and I've been across the bridge down thorpe lane.

[@simonrichardson5077]

great work,thanks

[@suesmith4366]

Love all of series 😎

[@AdventureMe]

Thank You.

[@stephenhodgson3506]

My grandparents used to live on Thorpe Lane and we used to walk down the fields on the path next to what was then the Thorpe Arms down to Ardsley Station to watch the trains. Even after the station was closed you could still go and sit on the station to watch the trains go through. In the 1950's when my parents lived with my grandparents my dad used to catch a train into Leeds from Ardsley then out to Copley Hill where he was a shunter.

[@lindseykaine-walley6339]

I started with part 3 so I've worked my way backwards then I will jump back to episode 4! This is an interesting journey we are taking with you.

[@SilasHack]

I now live in Australia, but I lived in the tingley area for many years as a child, fck knows how youtube decided to bring your channel to my feed, but for once I am chuffed, I am binge watching and thoroughly enjoying the content, THANK YOU so much for the effort, my family was all railway based, from signal men to shunters, I was lucky to ride the footplate of steam trains like the Mallard, the flying scotsman, the blue peter and others in my youth, hell I even managed to stop the leeds to huddersfield express once by pulling the wrong lever at morley low signal box, got bollocked by my dad for that one, as the engine driver gave him a real earful for showing the stop signal, oops :)

[@AdventureMe]

Well welcome aboard. I have quite a few Aus viewers, maybe that's why.

[@fenso6664]

Awesome! I grew up in Middleton and when I was a kid I noticed the beeston branch with the wonderful viaduct and this is what got me into abandoned railways. We’d climb up the embankment and sit on the viaduct. One day I decided to follow it to Where it joins the mainline again in beeston. There’s loads of old bridge abutments on this branch for farmers tracks. The line doesn’t end in beeston though it continues all the way to cross green. There’s evidence of this still left opposite the tommy wass pub where there’s still the old road bridge, but much of the line has been built over after that

[@fenso6664]

If you’ve still not filmed any of the beeston branch part I’ll be happy to meet you to show you. Or anything I know of heading towards cross green

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks. Can you still access the viaduct? I haven't filmed it yet, still on the main line to Pudsey currently. A tour of the line would be great, I know nothing about it.

[@fenso6664]

I couldn’t really give you a tour on the pudsey side as I only know so much, but the beeston branch I can. I’ve not been up there for about 15 years so I’m not sure if you can still access the viaduct. it was fenced off on both sides but it’s easy to walk up the old embankment to access it on the Middleton side, you just need to cross a farmers field. there was a gap in the in fence back then. It’s still maintained by network rail as it goes over the live railway but hopefully there’s still a gap. Drop me an email [e-mail]

[@AdventureMe]

Yes, I mean the Beeston Branch. I'm ok with the Pudsey end, I grew up around there.

[@fenso6664]

Cool drop me an email when you’re ready and we’ll arrange something :)

[@bustermustaffa7460]

Great video nice to see your doing the bridge at Middleton I grew up on bodmin road lol

[@AdventureMe]

Yes, i'll get to it eventually. Still on the Pudsey section. Looking forward to the viaduct.

[@bustermustaffa7460]

@@AdventureMe it's amazing I used to play on it many many moons ago.

[@wakefieldtrainlad340]

As a Wakefield born boy, I am looking forward to this series. Keep up the amazing work!

[@AdventureMe]

Hope you enjoy it! More to come.

[@davidforrest4942]

Great video appreciate all of your videos next time I'm on the train will have a look at the site of Ardsley Stn. Looking forward to the rest of the series. You are going to be busy. Keep up the good work.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks David, Yes, very busy at the moment filming the whole line to Pudsey.

[@davidforrest4942]

I know the line as it gets towards Bradford and on to Pudsey. Lots just built over as usual

[@celebrationballoonsofrothw2706]

The opening installment of what promises to be another great series of videos. Not a line I am familiar with but no less interesting. Looking forward to the rest. I had to rewind the video to see the rabbit - it moved so quickly I missed it first time round!

[@AdventureMe]

Awesome, thank you! Yes, and they do get better as we move along the line towards Pudsey.

[@GENERALWA5TE]

Thank you for telling me about this series, can't wait to watch it all. I love all of the old photos to add to the videos as well. I couldn't quite tell on the map at the start when the line was going under A651 but I think the line takes a slightly different direction. But I will double check when I watch on the bigger screen 😁.

[@AdventureMe]

Glad you are enjoying

[@nigelmellows1]

Spot on my grandad was a engine driver at Ardsley and lived in the Wisemans house !

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate. More to come.

[@nickisuthers5946]

Great to see you doing this series as its quite close to my heart. My grandad was a steam driver out of Ardsley and my dad was a steam, later diesel, fitter out of Ardsley sheds just up the track near the old spring lane sidings. The site at the side of the bridge next to the m62 was the original station (1892 map) and the contraption you mentioned there is, I think, what remains of the old loading crane.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks. Yes I saw the crane marked on the map the other day. I had already uploaded the video by then.

[@nigelmellows1]

So was mine Arthur Mellows

[@British99]

Great video again, i really appreciate the time you take to do the research. Keep up the good work!

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Richard. More to come.

[@philipchristy9210]

I lived and was born Ardsley.Loco depot was a good half mile further south ,beyond the next bridge which you can see from your starting bridge. There was coal sidings between the bridges mentioned above, also to the north right hand side. Points of interest (to me anyway)….there was a crash between a Leeds bound express and a light loco waiting to crossover and go the depot.Signaller forgot it was there and cleared signals for the express.50 s I think. Until around 1990 and remodelling of your starting point bridge ,for electrification,the platform ramp survived on the down main line under the bridge…! Also my wife’s house (station cottages four I think) was knocked down for the building of the M62.The site is now under the concrete bridge you featured.Ironically the bridge spanned at least four tracks.Two of which later closed.If they had closed earlier,her house could of survived..?

[@kevinparkin5438]

Hello Darren just watched part one of your Ardsley to Pudsey and again really interesting i also watched your look at Leeds railway station and i remember crossing a rickety bridge over the inlet where the bricked up arches were think that boats were repaired there at some point well keep up the interesting video's kevin ps id love to go on one of your walks with you sometime but behind the camera lol

[@AdventureMe]

Yes they had a boat repair yard down there, the guy who ran it is on my channel. The rule is you have to talk on camera lol.

[@peterburnell4785]

Great video series. Looking forward to the batley to beeston line videos as I grew up on the housing estate built on the old line. As a kid it always made me wonder what had been before, so I ended up researching these lines and walking them. No internet then so it was much harder to figure out what went where. Keep up the good work.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Peter, coming soon.

[@stephensmith9713]

Great video as always, looking forward to seeing the viaduct ‘ 5 arches’ as we called it, when we used to climb up there. You were very close to some railway stone work on Thorpe Lane.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks 👍 Where's the railway stone work?

[@stephensmith9713]

Just to the right of where you were stood, do you want the info emailed? So you can have a look next time you’re out & about

[@bigmonkey999888]

Hi, I live in Beeston and the old railway lines are fascinating look at history. I realise took look at them all takes a long time but perhaps you might add to your list the branch that left the Leeds main line past the Rex cinema, Middleton woods to Hunslet over the River Aire and the canal at Sturton. I have a distant memory of a swing bridge at Sturton that for technical reason never swung! Steve

[@AdventureMe]

Yes that hunslet swing bridge is high on my list. I saw it close up the other day.

[@fenso6664]

Ah yes this is what I meant when I said it continues to cross green. The only evidence left past beeston is the filled in bridge opposite the tommy wass pub. then there’s nothing until you get to the bridge abutment over the a639 and swing bridge going over the river at knowsthorpe. The line after that still runs to this day and joins at Neville hill and is still used for a tarmac company

[@johnwebster3224]

As Vernon Briggs has already mentioned, Ardsley Loco Depot was south of the station, accessed by a path from the station. I have a Shed Directory printed in 1947 which states - "Leave Ardsley station by the south exit. This is a cinder path about a quarter of a mile long leading to a road over-bridge (Fall Lane). Another cinder path leads from the opposite side of this road to the shed. Walking time 10 minutes". The site is now the Meadow Side Road housing estate.

[@AdventureMe]

Yes, I've since discovered. Shame there is nothing much left.

[@a11csc]

cant wait for rest of these lines to be shown

[@AdventureMe]

All coming soon, already filmed. Next part is out this sunday.

[@marksykes7741]

As kids we were digging up all sorts on the land that is now the new housing estate near where ardsley Station was. It was used for years as an unofficial moto cross track which inevitably churned up the ground. If you were lucky (and I was) you could find the repair plates that were fixed to the side of the carriages. We made a small fortune 🤣🤣. Sad that its all gone now. Was a lovely area for walks.

[@AdventureMe]

Looks like you got there in time. Shame I missed all the old stuff. I'm 20 years too late for a lot of it.

[@karen.s.w5307]

I was one of the early ones that used that land( used to be known as the nav). Just to ride across from my dad's garage and ride around. Then the " big boys" found out about it and took it over for their big bikes lol. I remember my dad and a friends dad getting into it with them for being jerks😂 had many flat tiers out there from the metal parts dug up.

[@sidewaysaction9983]

Disappointed this week, you missed the fact that the sidings at the station side of the bridge served Ardsley steel works. If you had continued up the public footpath under the 62 you would have found the plate layers hut rebuilt by a good friend after we came across the original footings while digging one Saturday afternoon! (As seen in photo at end) You didn't mention the shakey bridge and the subway (footpath) which ran from the lane at the side of appleyards truck breakers to common lane which is still visible on Google maps. I'm sure there's some old miggy lads watching that will remember. I'm of work for a few weeks I'm willing to show you what I know? I've mentioned this before there's visible sleepers from Ambler's mill towards thorpe possibly a wagon way. Love your work thumb's up keep em coming mate.

[@AdventureMe]

Aww, I tried. To be honest, I didn't know much about this section. It's only what I have found on old maps. I'd be happy for you to show me around sometime in the future, I can always do an update video.

[@sidewaysaction9983]

@@AdventureMe not very computer literate mate what's the best way to get in touch?

[@blueskyes071]

I think that strange piece of equipment in the old depot/yard site, is most likely the base of an old yard hand crane. Could maybe be the base of an old water column, though.

[@karen.s.w5307]

How different the area of the ardsley station looks just from the 90s. I grew up right next to it with my dad having a garage next to it before selling. It used to all be open and I rode my horse through there often and my dirt bike on the nav in the early 90s.

[@AdventureMe]

It has changed so much.

[@karen.s.w5307]

@@AdventureMe it really has. Every time I come back home to visit family in the area things have changed more and I dont recognize areas. Its quite sad to see really.

[@ianrumgay9595]

Fascinating looking at the old photographs and comparing them with the view today .Massive those sidings and showing how important they used to be . Again that M 62 taking away so much of the original railway like it did between Lee Moor and Ouzlewell Green that you showed on a previous video. Barney would have been after that rabbit . Look forward to seeing that viaduct looks very interesting . Might need trousers for the brambles.Amazing to think 15 stations gone .🙄🚝

[@AdventureMe]

I know, it's hard to comprehend now when you see how it looks compared to the maps. I will be wearing full PPE when I tackle the viaduct, not shorts......unless it's hot. I have a Barney treat coming next Wednesday 22nd.

[@fentoncentral-ngauge]

Grew up in Tingley and walked all this area. The Depot was the engine shed sadly now under the houses in the first shot. Down the path beside the station was a large Iron Works (major accident in 1908) latterly the site was a Tarmac works, since gone. Spring Lane sidings were beyond towards east Ardsley. The iron stub on the 'first part' of the sidings which was a loading dock, is the base of a crane. Also when you went under the M62, if you had carried on your would have found a signal box. No idea why it was built but there was one in the area of those sidings once upon a time. There is debate whether its a replica or an original part restored.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate. I'll have to check out that Signal Box in future.

[@marksidebottomcrafts124]

good video can you look at grassington yorkshire dales please

[@marksidebottomcrafts124]

thumbs up thankyou

[@howardgibson]

The Royal Sleeper Trains used Ardsley Sidings as an overnight stop on their routes to and from Balmoral

[@AdventureMe]

I didn't know that. Thanks

[@paulhebden3934]

Mum took me train spotting on that bridge in the early 60s

[@AdventureMe]

I'm Jealous.

[@BIGV710]

where the M62 bridge is was a big goods yard i used to ride down there in the late 50s up to about 63 bradford line went left and leeds line went right 56B ardsley shed was past the next bridge there was about 5 big yards at ardsley where the station wasit came from ardsley to thorpe plus the other lane came from ardsley to thorpe there was a walk way between station and thorpe road near to oco depot i remember seeing 5 A5s i therein 63

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for the info

[@adrianclint1449]

At 3:56 I can read Dolphin Beck - surely we cant have two Dolphin River/Beck around here

[@AdventureMe]

Adrian, I think it's the same one. Although the it disappears and then appears again.

[@sidewaysaction9983]

Dolphin beck comes out of the ground at the bottom of what I know as croftys yard, behind Simpsons storage. I know this because I once did some footings for a steel frame building and one of the holes filled immediately every bucket.

[@UKDroneAdventures]

Another good video, getting much better (For me with the scanning - no longer feel nauseous) I remember as a kid, near Tingley, there used to be a dome shape building. I have scanned Google maps but no sign of it ... any idea what this was?

[@AdventureMe]

I don't know. Maybe someone local can shed some light on this?

[@chriswalker619]

@@AdventureMe It could have been a road salt depot.

[@SilasHack]

It was a storage unit, it was featured on Tomorrows world way back, made of concrete that was put over an inflated balloon and an outer skin, we used to 'enter' the yards and tried for years to get up the bugger :)

[@rogerwhitfield5724]

Maybe suggest you refer it as East Ardsley with being an Ardsley near Barnsley. Cheers

[@AdventureMe]

I know what you mean, but it was called Ardsley Station on the maps, so that's why I put it. I think the East & West thing is a recent-ish thing. Rothwell is the same, there's a few around the U.K.

[@christelbraune4530]

Kannst du mir bitte sagen wo und wann ich betrogen habe. Meine sprachbrobleme sind bekannt. Was hab ich denn falsch gemacht. Ich war schon so gut wie weg .Nun wieder diese Probleme. Darren ich bin sehr schwer krank. Mit bereitet das schmerzen. 😓💌

[@AdventureMe]

Sorry to hear that Christel

[@lifeofbambi4093]

I was born in east ardsley adventure me

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate

[@clecklass]

Ey up, I don't believe this - You were stymied by bramble - You need to do investigations in later winter/early spring when such obstacles are no longer there because they have died back. This is common knowledge to bottle diggers and detectorists. Keep up the fantastic work that you are doing.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Paul. But the weather is crap in winter lol.