What remains of Waterhouses and the Manifold Valley Light Railway?

In this episode we start our look at the stunning Staffordshire light railway. We're beginning our journey at Waterhouses. The light railway in question is the Leek & Manifold Valley Light Railway, which runs from Waterhouses to Hulme End, near Hartington.
The Leek & Manifold Valley Light Railway, to give it it’s full title operated for 30 years between 1904 and 1934. Its primary traffic was milk and dairy. At Waterhouses it connected with the standard guage North Staffordshire railway which ran towards Leek and Stoke.
It's an interesting set up at Waterhouses. Little remains of the old station, but we can see the old goods handling shed in the old yard - now a cycle hire centre, although at the moment it looks as though it is out of use.
We look at some old photos and footage show show some interesting quirks. Including some interchange sidings that allowed standard guage milk tanks to be loaded directly onto narrow gauge transporter wagons. This was known as piggy-backing and looks an unusual sight.
With milk and dairy being the main haul, this was initially carried in milk churns in open wagons. You’ll see examples of the silver milk churns at many heritage railways. However later on, milk tankers were used. Of what I understand was the only example in the UK, standard guage milk tankers were piggy backed on the narrow guage low loader style wagons. This led to some interesting loading footage of the milk tanks being carefully rolled onto the back of narrow gauge wagons. Basically a big train having a ride on a smaller train.
Waterhouses station had the standard guage and narrow gauge side by side. The narrow gauge side was slightly lower and closest to the road. I believe from my interpretation of the site these day, that the majority of the trackbed for the light railway has been lost to road widening. There was a singal box and waiting shelter for the light railway. The signal box sat for many decades on a farm just up the line at Wetton. It was moved to the Amerton Railway near Stafford where it has been splendidly restored.
What about the locomotives that worked on this line? There were two steam engines built by Kitson & Co of Leeds in 1904. Number 1 was named E.R. Calthrop and number 2 was JB Earle both named after engineers of the line. There were several unique features on theses loco, most noticeable the large headlight at the base of the chimney. As the gauge was broad for a light narrow gauge railway- 2ft 6 inch, these locos were of a hefty size. Sadly both locos were scrapped after the line closed. A name plate can be seen in the museum at Tywyn on the Talyllyn Railway. None of the passenger coaches survived.
In the next episode, we will be following the trackbed to Hulme End, looking at the route and the sites of the former stations, halts and landmarks (including Thors Cave).
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[@JohnBath-f8p]

First cycled this route in 1966 , when I lived in Staffordshire. Wonderful route. Bike bought in 1964. Now 60 years old. Still got it!

[@JohnIrish-wu6vq]

3:11 A lovely film about my favourite line! The second bridge at Waterhouses was the standard gauge bridge over the station approach road. The narrow gauge bridge which was alongside but separated by a flight of steps has been removed along with much of the narrow gauge track bed during road widening in the 1960's. The gates at Waterhouses are the remains of the entrance to a small council highways yard that stood on the trackbed by the level crossing and sadly not the original crossing gates. Well done on an excellent piece of work- enjoyed your Ashover films very much too.👍

[@gilesestram]

Great Info. We were scratching our heads a fair bit when walking along there as we were trying to piece it together in real time without any map on us.

[@briancooper562]

As you can see from the maps the road upgrade moved the road toward the station. On the newer maps parts of the old road is still evident in this area.

[@RalphFreeman-ok5of]

Many a time have I biked down from Hulme End on the down grade, then back up to Waterhouses. Had a pub lunch just up from the old station and then biked back. The track dips in the middle where the two rivers join, so you get roughly the same amount of up and down in each direction. Makes a great day out. Highly recommended 😊

[@WobblyRunner]

It's a great route isn't it. On the way out of hulme end I incorrectly assumed I was fit, until I realised it was a gradient.

[@ceanothus_bluemoon]

Fascinating. The original footage and photos were excellent too.

[@WobblyRunner]

Thank you 👍🙂

[@Carolb66]

Looks like the start of an epic new series Paul! Loved the goods she'd & from the old photos & film showed how busy it was with standard & narrow gauge rails either side. I know nothing of this area & railway looking forward to more episodes to see where the milk line takes you both to! ❤😊👍

[@WobblyRunner]

Thanks Carol. You're in for a treat 🙂

[@andrewmaurer6267]

Quality as always top man 👍👍

[@WobblyRunner]

Cheers Andrew 👍

[@gilesestram]

Looks like you could have done waiting until Id finished my Breakfast !

[@WobblyRunner]

😄

[@wideyxyz2271]

❤

[@andrewmarriott4033]

Been to Waterhouses and walked to wetton mill the other end and back over ecton hill must do the bit in the middle 😂😂😂

[@WobblyRunner]

Well worth the walk. Just a bit far there and back 😄

[@maestromanification]

Fascinating video Paul, some of those film clips are so high quality they look like we're filmed today in black and white

[@WobblyRunner]

😄 cheers Russ. They're great aren't they, those old films. I had the same thoughts

[@barrythedieselelectricstea5217]

what a smashing little railway some of it stll remaining nice to see the signal box still intact so many have been lost do we know why the line closed looking forward to part 2 👍

[@WobblyRunner]

Cheers Barry. The line closed as the traffic disappeared when the main creamery at Ecton closed. They seemed to lift it all pretty quickly.

[@paullinnell2550]

Thanks!

[@WobblyRunner]

Thanks ever so much Paul 👍🙂

[@paullinnell2550]

@@WobblyRunner Looking forward to part 2!

[@scottc1589]

Paul, what an unusual, fascinating rail line. The old films and pictures are 'udderly' amazing. 🐄 Thanks and Cheers! 🐄

[@WobblyRunner]

Hahaha cheers Scott. Moo-ch appreciated :)