The Micklehurst Loop Line Disused Railway Walk Part One

Please watch: "The Most Beautiful Closed Railway in the UK? Scarborough to Whitby Railway Episode 2"
• The Most Beautiful Clo... -~-
The Micklehurst Loop Line Disused Railway Walk - Part One
In part one of our walk along the former Micklehurst Loop Line we begin at Stalybridge in Greater Manchester. Walking roughly half of the route we pass the sight of the former Staly & Millbrook Station as well as Spring Grove Viaduct.
No sooner are we walking again we see the mighty abandoned goods shed from the former Millbrook Sidings. Once a busy yard for coal traffic serving the nearby Hartshead Power Station.
Once alongside Millbrook Sidings we continue until we reach Micklehurst and the remaing Station Building. See you in Part Two....
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#micklehurst #loop #line #disusedrailway Additional Music by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0.
www.scottbuckley.com.au

[@davidclark3603]

Excellent video. I'm in my 60s now and I remember quite a bit about this line when it was in use. Just to add a little more about the coal delivery. There were more ways to guarantee the coal supply to the power station. There was a pit shaft in mill brook that led to an underground rail tunnel which led to the snipe colliery, where B&Q stands now. It then carried on underground to link up with the Bradford coal pit (where Man City's stadium is now) it was maybe the deepest pit in the country? A mile deep! It was called The "Roger seam". It was all closed and demolished, at the Snipe end, in about 1971? Coal delivery to Heyrod power station then continued through the overground railway.

[@tonyhongkong8412]

Kilometres? kilometres! Wash your mouth out 😅. Serious point - can’t get enough of these. Magnificent work and exceptional presentation, music, photos etc.

[@matthewwren1177]

Thank you for sharing yet another good little film. The little post you was wondering about were for lineside relay/Junction boxes for cables. From the mid 1960s all new relay/Junction boxes were put inside metal cabinets but before that all new relay/Junction boxes were put on concrete posts. The platforms you was wondering about on the lampposts were for those who's job it was to change the light bulbs and the lamps to work from. The lampposts probably originally had ladders on the side to help with accessing the platforms.

[@bobingram6912]

Great walk. It's almost impossible to imagine that all that infrastructure was there, thanks to the B & Ws we can get a rough idea, truly amazing. Nice one Ant👍🏻

[@MikesFoggyIdea]

I'm always amazed at the old pictures showing how vast and imposing the rail and mining was and how permanent they look, but now there's practically nothing there. I wonder why they left such random pieces standing, almost like they thought they would need them at a later date but never came back?

[@b4mouse]

Congratulations on hitting 10k Ant, you’re clearly one of the hardest working KZbin channels out there, well done.

[@michaeljones9654]

Hello mate great video as usual. The Hartshead power station can be seen along with the elevated coal conveyer in a background scene of the movie "Yanks" with Richard Gere whilst filming on the Stamford golf course.

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

you are so good at what you do. So interesting---irresistible viewing. Thanks a lot.

[@benGBRf]

Another great video. So fascinating. Now to watch part 2 👍🏻

[@MrPete1x]

Thank you for your time and effort in showing this

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much for watching

[@lindamccaughey6669]

Wow Ant what a fabulous video that was. Just loving the history. All this outdoor fresh air I’m almost getting. Thanks so much. Please stay safe and take care

[@ChrisBarrow-617]

The coal elavator at millbrook sidings use to go a lot further back then the section seen. And the coal was stored in stockpiles (not bunkers) covering the area from the engine shed to the edges of Crowswood Drive. In the sixities and seventies they only covered about half that area. You can also find videos on KZbin of the power station being demolished.

[@seamusmcevoy2011]

You can just about smell the industry coming from that video, absolutely bursting with history. The goods shed was an incredibly impressive building, in its day it must have been a powerful sight. I'm glad you had some decent walking boots because it looked a tad wet!!!! Looking forward to the next part and seeing the tunnel.

[@simonballard6413]

Another great explore! Can't wait for Butterhouse tunnel. What a muddy and slippy experience, though! You go to so much trouble to make these enjoyable videos for us all, Ant - it is very much appreciated.

[@taloire43]

Many thanks for this tour of more of our railway history. I wonder BR and/the Coal Board took most of the structures away but left odd bits like the goods shed and yard light.

[@helenthorne8451]

Brilliant video again Ant and a fair bit to see thanks for sharing 👍 xx

[@eggy77]

Lots of interesting stuff on this video, and lots of sludge 👍

[@TheShowgirl25]

Nice buildings and artefacts. Onto part 2 now.

[@peebee143]

At 6:42 was an old electrical cabinet stand. Maybe was a signal post close by, or a line-side telephone. The cabinet would have held a telephone on it's upper shelf with a set of batteries below. A drop down hatch would have closed the front of the cabinet. There likely would have been an enamel sign on the front of the cabinet.

[@psychokeef]

Nice video Ant I thought Martin might have come along for this explore as he’s done the goods shed and the power station. Can’t wait for part two as I find your explores fascinating. Keep up the good work and stay safe👍

[@thewhiteroom23]

Another great quality vid. Really appreciate the work you put into these they make for excellent viewing. 👍

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks so much I'm pleased you are enjoying them 👍🙂

[@martinmarsola6477]

An excellent video. See you on the next. Cheers Ant!

[@bexhil7]

Another great & fantastic video of The Micklehurst Loop Line Disused Railway Walk Part One!.👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@janepatricia8779]

Another brill video Ant,a bit wet and muddy for you on this walk,😃 x

[@TrekkingExploration]

It certainly was muddy but got better later on

[@Richard_Barnes]

Another superb look at disused railway areas 👍🏻 I really like the drone footage. A cracking view of how it all looks. Thanks Ant 😃 It’s good to see some buildings left standing. Appreciate all the effort 👍🏻

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks so much Richard that means a lot. Part 2 will be along early next week 👍😀

[@seany84uk]

Excellent! Ive been falling a bit behind watching your videos. This line should be re opened it would benefit the huddersfield to manchester line as express trains could use it.

[@niceviewoverthere4463]

I'm in awe at the amount of work that went into building all that industrial infrastructure. Only to let it all go to waste. Goes to show how transient things can be. My asbestos primary school has gone. My 1800's secondary school is now just a facade for posh flats. Oh well...

[@Peter-MH]

Congrats on 10k subs! Looking forward to part 2!

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks so much Peter 😀 Part 2 shall appear early next week 🙂

[@tremensdelirious]

If you see Plevins in Mossley byMicklehurst station, that’s an old rail warehouse

[@lilchris26]

Another good video Ant, thanks for the work you put in making these.

[@barrythedieselelectricstea5217]

another excellent video 👍nice to see some of the buildings still remain and how much nature has taken over very much looking forward to part 2

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks Barry. Part 2 will be along next week 😀👍

[@rogermorris6957]

Ant thank you for another very interesting Vlog, I think Mr Zero as do some of this one but he did it from a different angle, Looking forward to Part2 hopefully a bit less muddy

[@markomarrichards]

It’s a shame you missed the staircase - they had only just filled them in when you went by the looks of it. The hopper room and tunnels were mega eerie

[@Jimyjames73]

Very good - liking the B / W photos 🙂🚂🚂🚂

[@exileinderby51]

A great railway explore, keep them coming. Hope you are both well.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks so much. You too 🙂

[@wonkdonk3844]

Im from Saddeworth so know the micklehurst loop very well. live in scotland now so nice to see you out and about on my turf! great walk. look forward to you gettting up to diggle/standedge in part 2.

[@leightonroberts4762]

Great video. Sad to see the buildings rotting away

[@trevorbirch797]

really enjoy your videos....well done

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks so much Trevor 😀

[@mikerogers5043]

Great video Ant,, looking forward to Part 2

[@TrekkingExploration]

Cheers Mike it shall appear early next week 😀👍

[@shirleylynch7529]

Fab explore. Bit muddy for you but well done. Great filming and drone work . So interesting. Thank you so much for taking us. As always love the music.

[@trainsinkansas576]

Great video. Meriden, Kansas

[@a11csc]

superb ant

[@TrekkingExploration]

Cheers Chris 👍👍

[@edransom1861]

Another brilliant video, the flat area you referred to as a signal box base looks like it could be for coaling locomotives up platform :) I maybe wrong but that's what it looks like to me and seen some models of similar ones. Keep up the excellent videos :)

[@paddy9021]

I think you are right and the smelly building was the engine shed for the shunting engines, still a guess though. Old maps sometimes show what the buildings were used for..

[@denniseichert2323]

Good Evening Ant;- I think the deep pits in the goods shed would have been used by Loco Maintainers - so they could stand upright when changing out brake shoes for example, or checking wheels for pitting, and servicing. Bending over would not only be disorientating but over time would result in quite a Staff turnover/injury which would cost money... Fantastic to see those fire brick ceilings in there - makes you wonder how they built! All the best, Dennis, Stratford, NZ

[@christinecrockford1654]

Another fab video I think what u thort was a water tower, I think could been a mushy peas factory ? You never know

[@peebee143]

There would have been a wire run connecting to the nearest signal box.

[@lespalmer4520]

Excellent video, what was the music though? great stuff

[@Thornaby37]

9:38 did they use the goods shed to transfer items to or from road vehicles ? It may explain the difference in height

[@Zentron]

The units have been demolished?? Drat!!! I was after going back to explore properly and take more photos and videos... I am depressed now 😞

[@shavedphil]

Thanks Ant. Another great video. How's Amy (I hope I've reminded the babe correctly!) And how's your canal boat?

[@shavedphil]

I have just reread my message. I never ever intended to type babe. I typed name but predictive text decided I wanted to write babe. I'm so sorry that was never my intention. Phil

[@nigelkthomas9501]

Hard to believe the stations closed so soon. Was no-one commuting into Manchester at the start of the 20th century?

[@GaryVandalize]

I live a mile from here, spent a lot of time up n down there

[@TrekkingExploration]

It's a lovely little area. Thanks for watching 🙂

[@GaryVandalize]

@@TrekkingExploration really enjoyed your take on, your research is spot on. Keep up the great work.

[@jetsons101]

In the old B&W photos with the gentleman holding the white arrow, what do the numbers below the AUG 52 date represent ??? What a damp day you had, how were you shoes at the end of the day? Another great watch from Treeking Exploration UK. Thanks.....

[@roytait]

The gentleman's board shows an Ordnance Survey map reference. The 'SJ9799' portion narrows it down to a 1,000m map square with the 6538 further narrowing it down to a 10m square. Thus the full reference is SJ9765 9938 however... that is 500m south of the viaduct! Looking at 1954 OS revision of sheet SJ99NE on the NLS website, I reckon his actual position is SJ9759 9995. Perhaps he should have checked his GPS😏Incidentally, the viaduct was demolished in 1991.

[@jetsons101]

@@roytait Thanks for info. GPS takes the adventure out of long road trips, maps don't need batteries.... LOL

[@cricketdk2024]

Just to mention that someone else has done a video about the line a few years back. It confirms you were in an engine shed and shows a few more still images of the former viaducts. I found the video as I couldn't find on my maps how the line left Stalybridge but that is because the viaduct is missing. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXW4dIieZZl-gqc

[@andrewmorgan4306]

I,m from Australia your railway system must have been massive years ago ,just a question why dont youre steam locomotives have head lights, most of our steam locomotives in Australia have large head lights compaired to yours as ours operated at night time every where ,your,s must have operated at night time too,i just think it,s a bit stange that your loco,s don,t have headlights cheers Andrew. PS i live your vids keep them coming.

[@oldfart6318]

Hard for me to see the extent to which some of these lines which were active during my lifetime had deteriorated to such an extent. Maybe you should have worn wellies or waders !

[@TrekkingExploration]

It did get better later on. Nice and dry especially the Tunnel

[@12crepello]

I could be wrong here but is there not a plan to use this former line as part of the capacity and speed upgrade of this Trans Pennine route? As I say, I may have misread.

[@paulwilson3083]

I haven't heard of a reopening, but I have a friend from Diggle, he can see the East side of the Butterhouse tunnel from his garden and the amount of trains being signal checked because it's only double track east from Stallybridge is quite regular, I often wondered if the loop line and redundant Diggle tunnel would be reopened to easy the bottleneck, even resignalling wouldn't solve the present problem.

[@markomarrichards]

Also I know that dog .. I live a few doors down from it 😂😂😂

[@jonny-simulation-gamer]

mate have you heard of benerly viaduct being open to walk on

[@TrekkingExploration]

Hi yes it's the video before this one 👍

[@vickersvc]

WE don't use kilometres in the UK, we use MILES

[@TrekkingExploration]

THANKS

[@RAFchurchlawford4469]

"miles and miles and miles and miles and miles and miles and miles and miles" Who sang those lyrics?

[@12crepello]

@@RAFchurchlawford4469 The Who!!

[@tremensdelirious]

Pronounced Mozzleh by locals 😂