In the late 1960's I used to attend Ovenden SM School, at lunchtimes my classmates and myself used to walk through the tunnel from the Keighley Road end and appear again at the Wheatley end near the former Page Hill WM Club, now The Flying Pig pub. I remember there was water leaking through the roof of the tunnel, I remember it dripping down the back of my neck as I travelled through the tunnel. In the 1980's Dorlux build a new entry road to their bed factory and the Keighley Road entrance to the tunnel was blocked of forever by the Dorlux entry road.
Great video, I used to play on the old cutting in the 70's and 80's as my grandparents garden backed on to it off Pellon lane. The path that goes down under the high bridge led down to the Shroggs landfill tip and comes out on Shroggs Rd.
I remember walking all the way through this tunnel with some mates as a kid in the 70’s without torches(or anyone knowing where we were)and you could just see the light at the other end which I think used to be Dorlux Beds if memory serves. It was an unrepeatable and quite scary experience ,not to say dangerous but I’m glad we did it,probably not many people around who can say they did.I think the other end was filled in and lost a year or two after.It’s great to see the architectural gems,bits of wall,bridges and viaducts etc in your videos that would otherwise be hidden. I’m fairly new to your videos but I’m working my way through them and thoroughly enjoying them all.. Thanks.
Nigel, that was brilliant! I used to work at Asquith Butler in Westholme Rd for a number of years. I have also been looking at the tunnels on the Queensbury lines. Over the summer when it was drier I found a couple near Denholme that were open. I will look out for further vids by yourself. I used National Library of Scotland side by side mapping to follow the progress of this. Well worth looking at!
Really enjoyed that! There's a disused railway from Sowerby Bridge all the way to Rishworth that you can walk along. Beautiful now that nature has reclaimed it.
I drive around nearly everyday for Community Transport Calderdale, not knowing what was there before. A bit like Matalan car park in Dewsbury, not knowing it used to be heavy goods train's yard. This video is very interesting, and I will look out for old signs of the past, on my travels of Calderdale.
Very interesting, thanks. I played on the section above Brackenbed as a kid and my mum did the same when she was young. There’s a good simulation video on UA-cam somewhere that follows the route from St. Paul’s to Holmfield. I’d like to check out the other end of the tunnel too. Lots to see around Holmfield and down to the old Ovenden station.
Thanks for this. Moved here in 2003 to the only stone cottage left at Field Side, off Pellon Lane. Very interesting to know the history and see how it used to be.
Absolutely fascinated with your video Nigel. Never knew we had so much history on our doorstep! Keep 'em coming, and NEVER apologise for our Yorkshire accent lad!
there used to be a vent half way on cousin lane and come back out near old dorlux beds down Keighley road when the old ovenden staston pub was just across the road from ovenden station that linked to the goods yard at north bridge down the old back road before the flyover there is a tunnel blocked off the runs in the hill at northe bridge and the old trackways are the rear of denclough mills was there also a track back of lady ship mills i also seen a narrow track some where in my happy years of dolling off school i enjoyed the video mate thank you very much, its nice to see interest in the pasted some of them places still had the tracks when i was younger its ashame things get taken like folks feel thay have a born right to scarp stuff i would have loved to see it in its former life i used to have and allotment on dyson road where the other tunnel and yard was i found a rail key and a old coin there have never as yet found the narrow track history but as you will know coal, clay was in these hills good luck look farward to your next video take care
I lived on Forest Green in Ovenden and as a kid never really considered why I had to to climb up to get on the tunnel. This is the strip of raised land that has the air funnel and is walled next to cousin lane.
@@NigglePics Living the life of a retired gentleman in Sowerby Bridge, lol ;) If you ever need a hand making your videos (lugging stuff around, etc) I'd be happy to help. :)
Very interesting thanks. I worked in Parkinson lane in the 70's and had to visit a disused Machine tool factory near the joint with the Queensbury lines. I would love to see what that end looks like now, the line went by the factory at Holmfield and seemed to be on an embankment with a steep incline.
Been looking at that area for a future video, saw some of it during the making of this video, nearly used what I found then decided it could be a video in itself.
Top video mate the path goes to brackenbed fish shop up leemount down towards new b&q its old Halifax tip go on more there more bridges towards mixenden you can go on more when you got to end mate I live near and walk round with my pup 👍
Also, The Path from the Single arch Bridge, Leads down the Back of the Houses in Brackenbed Lane right to the bottom of Brackenbed Lane to the Small car park near the rivers Edge
The second path or Cat steps I call them goes from the back of Christ church (through gardens ) past the Donkey pond and down to wheatley, bottom of Brackenbed Lane you can see it on your map called Kitten Clough. When I was a child you could get on to the Via duck from Wood lane through the fields then on the the tunnel a nice playground for me and my friends
Where those red Bricks are Where, you inserted the Second Text for "Pellon Lane Bridge" is Actually Where the Entrance and Steps Down to the Actual Station Was Situated...
Noel Donnelly Explored the HHLR in the 1960's as a teenager. There was still a single track on it then. Went through Wheatly tunnel ( it was are first tunnel exploration!)Note on your initial description it says Great Western. It was Great Northern and L& Y
The footpath goes from opposite the fish shop at Brackenbed down past Field Side (I lived at Field side foe nigh on 18 years) it goes down to Shroggs tip, at the bottom used to be a cricket pitch and pavilion closed in about1980? I used the timber in renovating Field Side house, it was given to me, the timber, not the house.it eventually comes out at the corner of Shroggs road an Wheatley Lane, not far from BQ is now.
Great vid Nigel - new subscriber here. 😄 Especially enjoyed the drone footage above Wheatley Viaduct as I've often walked under there and looked up at that impressive but, sadly, defunct structure. The track-bed between Wood Lane Bridge and the viaduct is walkable (albeit access is via the often boggy meadow at the top of Wood Lane). I'm just wondering why you didn't walk/film along that section? PS - Never apologise for your accent mate.
you can walk to the back of the tunnel/ blockage without issue. Clayton tunnel has the remains of a cannabis farm in the far end that was in the papers...
Hell Gary I have just watched this video and the Eastwood , Luddenden Foot one , nice videos. I live in Walsden now near the Waslden end of the Summit tunnel ( I was born and raised in Todmorden), did you know that the first train that passed through the tunnel was actually brought to Manchester via the Rochdale canal via Todmorden , Littleborough then onto Manchester. the line of the Summit tunnel nearly didn't happen as the original plan was for the line to come as far as littleborough , be cut through the hill to Rishworth and on to Sowerby Bridge , really glad that didn't happen as Todmorden to Halifax wouldn't exsist in is present form had the railway not come this way. There was a line from Sowerby Bridge to Rishworth that served the local mills and passenger service . this could possibly be a good video for you to make and I think you can still see were the line cuts of out of Sowerby Bridge on it's way out to Rishworth , but the line is now sadly gone ,I was born and raised in Todmorden so your video was of interest to me , do you live in the area. I have subbed to your channel ( a sub back would be great ) and look forward to your next videos.
Am slowly planning the Rishworth line, and am in the process of doing The Copy Pit line which is the stations at Stansfield Hall, Cornholme and Portsmouth, so watch this space.
@@NigglePics Fantastic , spent a lot of time up Cornholme and Portsmouth as a teenager many moons ago , looking forward to your videos on it . I used to drive HGV's for a company called Jowetts in the late 80s and there yard was the old shunting yard at Portsmouth.
Yes i once read about this too the route to Manchester was going to go through Rishworth but proved too hard. If both were built i bet this line would have gone either way due to the Beeching Axe
Wow I'm pretty struck to the fact of how many of you in this comment section have so much local knowledge do you have meet up or write books bout this???
Lived in Sowerby bridge all my 62 years and didnt have a clue about any of this, why all the bridges?, did trains run on a line under each of them?, where did the lines go too and from?, cheers
Excellent upload 👌 Thank you for sharing 👍
Thank you 😎
@@NigglePics My pleasure. When will you be resuming. Please subscribe to my channel too 🇬🇧 Thank you 👌 😊
I'm suffering with sciatica, so I'm not sure, but the answer is ASAP.
Wishing to good health. Look forward to your return. Please subscribe to my channel too 🇬🇧 Thank you 👌 😊
What a lovely relaxing video, enjoyed this.
If I remember rightly,Mcvities biscuits used the line too,there factory (formerly the Riley's toffee factory).great video,so enjoying the stories.
Nice one, played on these tracks as a kid in the 70s
In the late 1960's I used to attend Ovenden SM School, at lunchtimes my classmates and myself used to walk through the tunnel from the Keighley Road end and appear again at the Wheatley end near the former Page Hill WM Club, now The Flying Pig pub. I remember there was water leaking through the roof of the tunnel, I remember it dripping down the back of my neck as I travelled through the tunnel. In the 1980's Dorlux build a new entry road to their bed factory and the Keighley Road entrance to the tunnel was blocked of forever by the Dorlux entry road.
Just found your channel i live in halifax next to the high level holmfield tunnel!
Great video, I used to play on the old cutting in the 70's and 80's as my grandparents garden backed on to it off Pellon lane. The path that goes down under the high bridge led down to the Shroggs landfill tip and comes out on Shroggs Rd.
Farmer Slim,,, i think the path you are refering to is or was known as snake wood path....
@@sniper48harrybo25 as the comments I added, I lived at Field Side for 17 plus years, never heard the name of the track, good to know.
Decent video lad 👍
I remember walking all the way through this tunnel with some mates as a kid in the 70’s without torches(or anyone knowing where we were)and you could just see the light at the other end which I think used to be Dorlux Beds if memory serves. It was an unrepeatable and quite scary experience ,not to say dangerous but I’m glad we did it,probably not many people around who can say they did.I think the other end was filled in and lost a year or two after.It’s great to see the architectural gems,bits of wall,bridges and viaducts etc in your videos that would otherwise be hidden. I’m fairly new to your videos but I’m working my way through them and thoroughly enjoying them all.. Thanks.
Great video thankyou
Nigel, that was brilliant! I used to work at Asquith Butler in Westholme Rd for a number of years. I have also been looking at the tunnels on the Queensbury lines. Over the summer when it was drier I found a couple near Denholme that were open.
I will look out for further vids by yourself.
I used National Library of Scotland side by side mapping to follow the progress of this. Well worth looking at!
Thanks for the video enjoyed and keep at it a bit more learned about this railway!!😎🚂🚃🚃🚃🇬🇧
Drive these roads daily, interesting video
Love the drone shots of the viaduct, went on there as a kid in the 1990’s and also in wheatley tunnel, great video
Interesting video! Thank you, I live locally 😊
Great effort Nigel and very interesting video especially pointing out all the bridges and the holmfieid tunnel. Look fwd to your next video!
It's in the creative stage, takes a while, so watch this space and thanks.
Used to drink in a pub at the top of Brackenbed when my sister lived on Long Lane in the late 70s. Great video
Walked through this tunnel back in the 70s as a child, there were a few of us. Brought you out where Dorlux was is/now.
Really enjoyed that! There's a disused railway from Sowerby Bridge all the way to Rishworth that you can walk along. Beautiful now that nature has reclaimed it.
I'm trying to plan that one, might be a difficult one, but watch this space.
@@NigglePics it's not that difficult mate. I walked it the other week 👍
The planning is the difficulty, not the walk.
I drive around nearly everyday for Community Transport Calderdale, not knowing what was there before. A bit like Matalan car park in Dewsbury, not knowing it used to be heavy goods train's yard. This video is very interesting, and I will look out for old signs of the past, on my travels of Calderdale.
Used to walk through the tunnel as a kid in the 60-70s. Great vid. Thanks.
Very interesting, thanks. I played on the section above Brackenbed as a kid and my mum did the same when she was young. There’s a good simulation video on UA-cam somewhere that follows the route from St. Paul’s to Holmfield. I’d like to check out the other end of the tunnel too. Lots to see around Holmfield and down to the old Ovenden station.
Thanks for this. Moved here in 2003 to the only stone cottage left at Field Side, off Pellon Lane. Very interesting to know the history and see how it used to be.
Absolutely fascinated with your video Nigel. Never knew we had so much history on our doorstep! Keep 'em coming, and NEVER apologise for our Yorkshire accent lad!
Eyup, thank you.
Great vid Nigel, you need to pick it back up at the other end of the tunnel and finish the journey to holmfield tho!
there used to be a vent half way on cousin lane and come back out near old dorlux beds down Keighley road when the old ovenden staston pub was just across the road from ovenden station that linked to the goods yard at north bridge down the old back road before the flyover there is a tunnel blocked off the runs in the hill at northe bridge and the old trackways are the rear of denclough mills was there also a track back of lady ship mills i also seen a narrow track some where in my happy years of dolling off school i enjoyed the video mate thank you very much, its nice to see interest in the pasted some of them places still had the tracks when i was younger its ashame things get taken like folks feel thay have a born right to scarp stuff i would have loved to see it in its former life i used to have and allotment on dyson road where the other tunnel and yard was i found a rail key and a old coin there have never as yet found the narrow track history but as you will know coal, clay was in these hills good luck look farward to your next video take care
Used to knock about round tramps tunnel which came out in dean clough when I was a teen.
I lived on Forest Green in Ovenden and as a kid never really considered why I had to to climb up to get on the tunnel. This is the strip of raised land that has the air funnel and is walled next to cousin lane.
Hi Nigel, lovely video, great image quality, subscribed. (From Kev MC, old Amiga fan, ex Hebden Bridge)
Hey Kev, how ya doing.
@@NigglePics Living the life of a retired gentleman in Sowerby Bridge, lol ;)
If you ever need a hand making your videos (lugging stuff around, etc) I'd be happy to help. :)
Very interesting thanks. I worked in Parkinson lane in the 70's and had to visit a disused Machine tool factory near the joint with the Queensbury lines. I would love to see what that end looks like now, the line went by the factory at Holmfield and seemed to be on an embankment with a steep incline.
Been looking at that area for a future video, saw some of it during the making of this video, nearly used what I found then decided it could be a video in itself.
Top video mate the path goes to brackenbed fish shop up leemount down towards new b&q its old Halifax tip go on more there more bridges towards mixenden you can go on more when you got to end mate I live near and walk round with my pup 👍
Also, The Path from the Single arch Bridge, Leads down the Back of the Houses in Brackenbed Lane right to the bottom of Brackenbed Lane to the Small car park near the rivers Edge
Interesting ...
The second path or Cat steps I call them goes from the back of Christ church (through gardens ) past the Donkey pond and down to wheatley, bottom of Brackenbed Lane you can see it on your map called Kitten Clough. When I was a child you could get on to the Via duck from Wood lane through the fields then on the the tunnel a nice playground for me and my friends
As a kid I have walked through this tunnel, didn’t know Webster’s had a siding.
Where those red Bricks are Where, you inserted the Second Text for "Pellon Lane Bridge" is Actually Where the Entrance and Steps Down to the Actual Station Was Situated...
It was the Lancashire & Yorkshire and Great Northern Railways - I don't think the GWR stretched up as far as here !
Yeah, realised that during editing, but hey ho lol
Noel Donnelly
Explored the HHLR in the 1960's as a teenager. There was still a single track on it then. Went through Wheatly tunnel ( it was are first tunnel exploration!)Note on your initial description it says Great Western. It was Great Northern and L& Y
Yes, on video at 12.04, up all those steps and you're at my cottage!
The footpath under the single arch bridge just below the Pellon track bed comes out opposite Brackenbed Fish & Chip shop
Many thanks, just wish that info could be added post production.
Brackenbed chippy used to be the best around the only competition was the German chip shop on Queens road. this was in the 80's....lol
The footpath goes from opposite the fish shop at Brackenbed down past Field Side (I lived at Field side foe nigh on 18 years) it goes down to Shroggs tip, at the bottom used to be a cricket pitch and pavilion closed in about1980? I used the timber in renovating Field Side house, it was given to me, the timber, not the house.it eventually comes out at the corner of Shroggs road an Wheatley Lane, not far from BQ is now.
do you know of any tunnels that are no longer in use
Great vid Nigel - new subscriber here. 😄
Especially enjoyed the drone footage above Wheatley Viaduct as I've often walked under there and looked up at that impressive but, sadly, defunct structure.
The track-bed between Wood Lane Bridge and the viaduct is walkable (albeit access is via the often boggy meadow at the top of Wood Lane). I'm just wondering why you didn't walk/film along that section?
PS - Never apologise for your accent mate.
Sadly I didn't know that section was walkable.
Wouldn’t advise going in the tunnel at midnight you hear people talking
To be honest, I thought there were whispers, probably just the air movement.
Junkies or ghosts ?
No lie but i have heard the sound of trains coming out of the vent shaft a couple of times over the years.
@@seany84uk I now live at Mount Tabor, and I swear I hear the trains from Halifax even now 2021, no one else has heard them, Wooooooo.
you can walk to the back of the tunnel/ blockage without issue. Clayton tunnel has the remains of a cannabis farm in the far end that was in the papers...
Hell Gary I have just watched this video and the Eastwood , Luddenden Foot one , nice videos. I live in Walsden now near the Waslden end of the Summit tunnel ( I was born and raised in Todmorden), did you know that the first train that passed through the tunnel was actually brought to Manchester via the Rochdale canal via Todmorden , Littleborough then onto Manchester. the line of the Summit tunnel nearly didn't happen as the original plan was for the line to come as far as littleborough , be cut through the hill to Rishworth and on to Sowerby Bridge , really glad that didn't happen as Todmorden to Halifax wouldn't exsist in is present form had the railway not come this way. There was a line from Sowerby Bridge to Rishworth that served the local mills and passenger service . this could possibly be a good video for you to make and I think you can still see were the line cuts of out of Sowerby Bridge on it's way out to Rishworth , but the line is now sadly gone ,I was born and raised in Todmorden so your video was of interest to me , do you live in the area. I have subbed to your channel ( a sub back would be great ) and look forward to your next videos.
Am slowly planning the Rishworth line, and am in the process of doing The Copy Pit line which is the stations at Stansfield Hall, Cornholme and Portsmouth, so watch this space.
@@NigglePics Fantastic , spent a lot of time up Cornholme and Portsmouth as a teenager many moons ago , looking forward to your videos on it . I used to drive HGV's for a company called Jowetts in the late 80s and there yard was the old shunting yard at Portsmouth.
Yes i once read about this too the route to Manchester was going to go through Rishworth but proved too hard. If both were built i bet this line would have gone either way due to the Beeching Axe
its wheatley tunnel at the end of the video isnt it?
Yes it is.
27.41 - eye shine in the distance?
The masonry is of the highest quality on the Halifax and Queensbury lines,what a waste?
I completely agree.
When was this filmed
Over the last week.
Wow I'm pretty struck to the fact of how many of you in this comment section have so much local knowledge do you have meet up or write books bout this???
Well I for one don't know anyone personally who's commented, but I love that they have.
Sos got your name wrong on my comment below , called you Gary by mistake.
No probs, been called worse lol.
Lived in Sowerby bridge all my 62 years and didnt have a clue about any of this, why all the bridges?, did trains run on a line under each of them?, where did the lines go too and from?, cheers