These videos are clearly edited and annotated with great care. I'm so grateful for your efforts to share your knowledge and experiences with us. Thanks again!
Great video Don, thanks for uploading. The story about the wagon at Lostock Gralam reminds me of a similar incident that happened at Tees-side in the 80s. At Tees yard we used to have job of taking oil tanks from Teesport to Jarrow and return. At Jarrow was a refinery with unloading bays pumping petrol, diesel etc. The loco wasn't allowed next to the unloading aprons as it was a fire hazard so a rusty old 2 axle 'reach' wagon was always stabled there, the procedure for collecting the empty tanks and positioning loaded ones involved quite a bit of shunting and 'run round' moves. My mate was a guard at Tees and in a rush to get an early finish one day forgot to detach the reach wagon from his train when ready to depart back to Teesport. No one noticed until he got back to the destination that he had taken a condemed piece of junk 50 miles at a top speed of 60mph over the East Coast mainline without any problem. Its a minor miracle that it didn't develop a hot box as it can't have seen oil for decades :-)
@@doncoffey5820 Yea I bet it does. When unfitted and vacuum braked freight vehicles were being condemned in vast quantities hundreds were stored at Tees Yard, a local scrap merchant a couple of miles away was buying them in huges quantities to cut them up. Every morning a local trip working from Tees Yard would take him his usual load of perhaps 40 wagons. We were supposed to take only the wagons on the 'tops' list but there were always 100s more ready for the next trip. After a while we got friendly with the scrap man and would 'accidentally' take him a few extra in return for a few quid or a few cans of beer. They were only condemned rubbish that the railway didn't want so no-one ever bothered when a few went 'missing' :-)
Mr Coffey, you present us with superior videos of your country, historical information about lines, buildings, scenery and life. You have a mastery of presenting information. Enjoying your videos ! Thanks!!!!
Many thanks for another fascinating video. Your notes and captions add a great deal to the enjoyment that I, for one, get from your videos, particularly when, as this one does, it covers a location where I spent my childhood. I certainly appreciate the effort you put into this. As far as the journey is concerned... Sadly, Skelton Junction is now a shadow of its former self: the three lines that used to converge from the west now reduced to the loop to the line from Altrincham, and the tall signal box that would provide a view over the Moss Lane road bridge now gone. Also I'm amused that Navigation Road has a direct service to Chester. In the days when the service along the CLC route ran direct from Manchester Central to Altrincham, the only regular calling point was Sale - never, ever, Navigation Road. Finally , it's worth noting that the original CLC service did not join the route from Warrington at Mickle Trafford into Chester General, but ran along a separate line into Chester Northgate station, a rather smaller terminus in the city. In your video at 1:13:09, there appears to be a gap between two lines of trees to the left of the junction where the old line might have gone. I don't remember when the rerouting into the General station occurred, but I recall, as a child in the early 1960's, arriving at Northgate.
Thanks Rotman 12. I’ve got books showing the complexity of the route and I only wish I could include some photos without infringing any copyrights. Soon after we joined the Up Main at Mickle Trafford, the train passed under a bridge which carried that line to Northgate and looking at my old map, I’m sure you’re right about the gap in the trees. There is a Foxline book - Railways Across Mid Cheshire which focuses on the entire route and is worth getting IMO. ISBN 1-870119-66-5
Another excellent cab view, and this one has triggered all sorts of memories for me. At 29'43" you pass an obscure office block on the left about 200 yards after leaving Hale. In 1978 it was the offices of Harrington Fleming and Worsley (Architects) where I took my first job as a junior Architectural Technician. Age 19. Amazingly the office block still has the same front door (being designed by Architects for Architects it was well specified and made!) which I can remember nervously going through for interview. Yep, the memories are flooding back - of course I was delighted to discover that my office was on the first floor overlooking the railway although I never dared much to stand gawking at the trains as I wanted to! Thanks Don 👍😎
I think that if you have the slightest interest in trains, it is almost impossible even as adults to resist watching one go by even if you have to stand on tip toe to catch a glimpse of one passing under a bridge! Interesting about your office block, I think you needed a cardboard cut out to man your desk ;-)
Hi Don, once again another very informative and interesting video. I really look forward to viewing them, thanks for all your hard work putting them together.
Another masterfully crafted video, many thanks Don. Delamere forest brings back memories. My family used to go for walks there (and got lost every single time). The simple expedient was to find the Railway track and "shadow" it back to the station / car-park. The last time, my friend and I decided to separate from my parents; we didn't get lost but we realised that my Mum and Dad were, after waiting at the car for them until after dark. We wound-up going knocking on the door of the forest Ranger, who then took us in his vehicle, where we eventually found them limping on the side of a road. :-) He told us that loads of people got lost in Delamere, and it was not unusual for him to have to call the nearby Military base to organise search parties!
There a few regulars that always come up with really nice compliments and interesting comments and you are up there with the best. I really appreciate it it, thank you.
@@doncoffey5820 Mate the comments I make are in genuine gratitude for the content that you are providing. Sure there are plenty of other 'cab-ride' channels, and I don't mean to sound demeaning to them as their content is also good. However, I can honestly say that your insights into the routes; how they operate, (I loved your "101" video), and points of interest, set you apart. Because you take great pains in this regard, I believe it only fair that people make the effort to engage with you in the comments, and hopefully this will help to rapidly "promote" your channel further.
You know I was part way through another 101 video on signals and indicators but I had another little look at the terms and conditions of my permission to share the footage. It says that "I must not, either verbally or visually give any information that could be used to drive a train” - or words to that effect. I understand why they’ve included that because there were instances of trains being driven without authority (stolen). After pondering for a while I thought that it might be in breech of the instructions so that has been shelved. I might think of one that doesn’t breech one day!
@@doncoffey5820 With the different "Train simulation" software out, that is getting gradually more complex, I think that clause could be getting a bit redundant now. However, I can understand your employer's reticence in divulging any kind of information that might allow someone who is, shall we say "not all there" from jumping into a cab and causing havoc (at the very least, and tragedy at the worst). I recall my first conversation with my Uncle (BR Inspector), about train driving when I was about 8 or 9. He told me, "Any fool can start a train, but it takes a Driver to stop one"! :-)
Hi Don, your videos are excellent and for someone who was born and bred in Chester and used the railway network in Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside before moving away over 20 years you are providing a great insight into how things have changed. Thank you 👍
Glad you enjoy them A.J. There are some videos in the collection that show Chat Moss and Cheshire Lines routes to Liverpool too if you haven’t seen them.
Thankyou for taking me back in time. I travelled this line every day from Buxton to Piccadilly and back to get to the nearest grammar school ! Age 11 to 18 . Several of us made this trip. Homework on the train. lots of snoozing . Saw the transitions from Steam to Diesel. Many happy memories of a picturesque journey. Service was very reliable too whatever the weather !
Brilliantly informative trip, including fine camera work plus railway procedures,history,architecture. This must have taken you many hours to edit. Thank you.
Another excellent video. I have enjoyed all of them. I find them very informative. I live in the U S and being a train buff I’ve taken to watching videos on U tube from many European nations about the train systems an I must say that you’re all so far ahead of us when it comes to train travel. Keep up the excellent work as I look forward all of your future endeavors
Thank you for uploading this amazing videos. Very instructives ones to those of us that live in other countries. Is a good way to know and see other railways systems around the world. Greetings from Argentina.
Thank you Don for another great video. All I ever wanted to be was an engine driver, sadly never achieved! Your films are a tremendous substitute. All the best.
Loved the smell-o-vision at the bakery and as always the narration at various points along the line. It really clears up things for us guys across the pond. After watching, a trip to Google maps and things really begin to come together.
Thanks George. I’ve just got permission from the producers of the network rail maps to use them in my videos which might help place things geographically.
Brilliant photography and description as always related to my nostalgia. Takes me back to spotting at Baguely Station and sitting by the track at Skelton Junction and travelling to Chester. Those were the days. Thanks for the fine work.
This video popped up as a recommendation, very impressed, easily one of the best videos I've seen. UHD clear picture, no camera shake, clean windscreen ( Very important! ) and excellent captions, a delight to watch. Subscribed and highly recommended! 👍🙂
Thanks Ian. I spend ages on the screen and in most videos you’ll see regular goes at the washers and wipers and the camera is attached to the screen with the most powerful sucker you ever seen. The GoPro is a fickle device but I must admit it excels at stabilisation.
A blast from the past I was a guard based at Northwich shed in them days we ran out off Oxford road to Chester and also did the hopper run up to Tunstead quarry funny enough I am a truck driver now and run out of Tunstead thanks Don for this great memory for me
Great video. Remember my 1st trip over it in 1986, the sidings at Northwich were really busy. At Mouldsworth, there was a freight line going off to West Cheshire junction near Helsby. It closed in 1991 when West Cheshire SB burned down. The gap between the trees on the left at Mickle Trafford was probably the old line to Dee Marsh, closed in the early 1990s. Passenger trains from the CLC used this to reach Chester Northgate until it closed in 1969. The odd gap in the station roof in Chester was caused by a fire in 1972. An oil train from Stanlow had run round near Helsby and the brake pipes were not reconnected and the now unfitted train ran out of control down the bank from Mickle Trafford. It ran into an empty dmu at the station and the resulting fire damaged the roof which was removed.
@@doncoffey5820 my pleasure sir. Really enjoy your videos, they bring back pleasing memories of when I first explored the railways up here in the 1980s. And a great way of passing the time as I'm currently "resting" as actors say. It always interests me to get a railwayman's view of things too.
Several memories and points of interest in this superb offering. 1. Site of old Stockport Edgeley depot, last visied in 1966 when A4 60019 Bittern was being prepared for a railtour. 2. Northwich station - saw a Clan pacific, around 1967, hauling a freight. Unusual. 3. Same location - huge trains of liquid chlorine tanks from Murgatroyd's Sandbach Cheshire. Chester station - last there on my part 1986 - I barely recognised it. The countryside of west Cheshire is unsung; suspect the locals want it kept that way! Thanks once again.
I never actually went on the Chester line as a kid but I did visit Booth St Depot at Edgeley where they always seemed quite willing to let us go and look inside the engines. I guess it would be 1969 wish for me. Glad it brought back memories, thanks for sharing them.
Fantastic video as always. The quality just keeps getting better. I love the captions giving a "history" of the railway as it was. Relaxing and informative viewing, and helpful from a railway modellers point of view too. Keep up the good work
Love your commentary on train history. It sad to see the demise of train travel. There have been so many shut downs here in Canada. At one time the trains were the backbone of the country. Looking at old train maps, there are many towns that have been abandoned due to train modernization or the building of highways. With the introduction of diesel trains, all of the coal and water station slowly died away. With highway modernization, transport trucks took over. All of the cute rail stations were either bought out or destroyed. In northern Ontario there are many towns that have left individuals isolated, not being able to drive, no longer have means to travel any great distances. Even buses no longer support the norther towns. Once the large pulp and paper companies closed their doors, freight trains were no longer required, and that stopped the passenger trains as well. Thanks fir the videos.
It is a shame but the railways declined when we all wanted our own personal transport. Only now that the roads are choked are the railways seen as an important means of commuting and they are back. It will take years to bring them up to capacity but they will never be like the post war years. The truck is king of freight now.
That was a "Gem " of a trip Don! That was a route that I would have never thought to try. If I ever get back over the "pond" I will take this trip!!! Thank you for sharing !!! :):):)
Excellent informative video of a route I once travelled behind steam! In those days the line was from Manchester Central to Chester Northgate & from Cornbrook was shared with the ex LNER 1500V dc units which used to rattle along stopping at all stations to Altrincham. I was surprised to see Plumley West Signal box still there (as a block post?) and Northwich is a mere shadow of what used to be - the shed with the magnificent Stanier 8Fs battling up the viaduct with the ICI Limestone trains sometimes another 8F at the rear. Spent some wonderful times in Delamere Signal Box where the basic principles of the block system were explained so well with the cooperation of the Cuddington & Mouldsworth signalmen answering my attempts on the bells!
Glad you enjoyed it Bob. Its a shame to see all these routes rationalised so much but as Adrain Vaugan called it in one of his books - “Progress the Ogress”.
Regularly take this train to Chester from Greenbank and back, really exciting to see it from this perspective, and these videos are going from strength to strength! Great stuff
Excellent video. Leaving Stockport at the end of the cutting (14.05 ) is where as kids, we did our train spotting. Used to be a staff path from Castle Street, Edgeley down to the old Edgeley sheds. In this day and age it does seem a roundabout route via Stockport, then Altrincham to get to Chester. Wouldn't it be simpler to take the Metro link from Manchester and pick up the train at Deansgate Junction? . Must say I miss the train living in Cornwall, only had one long journey in many years plus a few short ones on the St Erth to St Ives coast route. However, looking forward to three weeks time for a trip from Bodmin Parkway to Reading on way to Gatwick for holiday in Greece.
I used to visit Booth Street Depot as a kid. I suppose the train going round save changing at Altrincham. There is always the fast route via Warrington Bank Quay.
Another fantastic, high quality, informative video. These are easily better quality than some commercial offerings! Thank you for taking the time to make these videos so good! I particularly liked the caption about old, bold train drivers now operating ticket barriers! I knew quite a few of those on LU!
Yes, they are quite quiet but they are over 20m in length and the engine is about half way so you are looking at the nearest engine being 10m or 33ft away.
Don Coffey ahh, that’s great. I use the Trainz app on my iPad and it’s something they get really wrong, far too much engine and rail noise in the cab! Thanks Don
The entire site at Oakleigh has been flattened in recent years. Very sad! Great video as usual. Even my mate who signs the line and goes there frequently enjoyed your video!
Thanks Don. Really enjoy watching your videos, reminds of my younger days travelling on my dad's railway pass, (he was a signalman mostly on the Mc/r - Woodhead line from 1948 to retirement in 1993. He was at signalboxes at Godley, Gorton platform, Guide Bridge Stockport Junction & Dewsnap sidings. He was also at Bredbury, he retired from B.R. while at Stalybridge box.
Oh good. I’m glad it brings back memories. It’s Chester tonight but I’ll get round to posting the return Sheffield journey one day which of course covers Bredbury again.
Having lived in Canada the last 39 years I really miss the weekend 'expeditions' on the different routes, especially the ones where I got to ride in the cab if a relative or family friend was the driver. Those were the good old days. Thanks again Don for the memories. Ken.
Thanks for posting this - a great movie packed with technical info (I now know what the horn toots mean) and how the 'reduced' (from bygone days) line works. Wonderfully filmed and easy to follow with a map beside me ... I started watching because as a southern freelancer working in the general Manchester area, 1981-87, always travelling by train hither and yon, I thought it would be interesting to see the landscape in a different educational way. Flippin' 'eck, it was that and more. Thank you m'lud.
@@doncoffey5820 : If I may add an uncle of mine (originally from Liverpool) and when I were a lad he 'educated' me in the ways of loco-speak; the meaning of Up & Down lines, how the semaphore signals worked (in which order - red, yellow, double yellow) and how he could tell where he was on his route by the sound of the points. He was a Fireman on London express routes (and all through the war) until that rotten Dr Beeching came along and destroyed the system. Boo! Hiss!
Another excellent video Don ! Keep them coming. I just feel for the signaller at Deansgate Junction, one busy guy with trams heavy rail and a crossing to contend with.
Another 'bloody' good and informative video Don. I was under the impression they were planning to double the line throughout again; especially in light of the wish to reopen the Middlewich freight only branch to passenger service.
Hiya Don , Awesome video as always , Firstly I would like to thank you for taking my feedback into consideration , Secondly I would like to thank you for implementing my feedback (even if on a test basis) it made the video so much easier to watch and didn't miss a thing on the route , It is greatly appreciated thank you , from a fellow railwayman :)
I rather liked the caption format but I think short sequential captions are better than filling the screen up. I’ll modify that in the next video. Good suggestion. Thanks as always for the feedback.
Many thanks for this, Don. It was a real walk down Memory Lane for me. I lived in Hartford in the sixties and seventies. When I was very small, I had a wonderful vantage point of the CLC from the bottom of our road. It was set back about 100 m from the track opposite to where the cord line diverged from Hartford CLC junction to Hartford Junction. Now that field is full of houses, little boxes in which everything is tiny except for the mansion level house prices! I used to have a wonderful view from the front of the first generation DMUs. The line is very much the same as when I last traveled on it, even down to Mobberly and Plumley signal boxes, including a semaphore on the up line. I remember how the trains to Manchester went directly through to Oxford Road, rather than round the houses. I can even remember going to Manchester Central! Associated Octel have gone, and the old ICI (where my late father worked) is somewhat reduced. I remember when the panel signal box at Greenbank was first commissioned. I wonder how much longer it will be in use for, although if the charade at Stockport you mentioned is anything to go by, it will have a good number of years to go. I also remember when Chester PSB was built, and the fine LNWR boxes were still going. In the end, Chester PSB covered very little, so it seems. The massive gap in the overall roof at Platform 6 at Chester General was the result of fire damage. In the early seventies, a rake of tank wagons ran away and ended up in the bay. At least one split and there was a massive fire. They simply removed that part of the overall roof. It remains like this to this day. I had always taken the stations for granted in those days. They are gems. Thank you for all your added details, as well as the view of the line. :)
Thanks for the interesting feedback James. I sometimes called at Hartford on my way back from visiting a customer in North Wales in my Motor Industry days. It was all Class 86 and 87 and coaches in those days. I don’t know when signalling will go to the ROC - they keep chipping away in small sections but that Chester line is considered less important than son some of the “major” routes so who knows. Its all a question of money. I’ve actually got some cracking footage of the return trip which I will post as soon as I get round to editing. Regards Don.
Hi Don, I am relatively new to your channel, and I am impressed with the quality and research contained in each video so refreshing! Thank you. Perhaps others may follow!
Great video Don. Some nice old stations on that line, pity some of them have been let run down. Looking forward to more excellent videography. Thanks. K.
Great quality, especially as not the best weather for filming, very informative (even more when running google earth next to it) and brings back memories.
@@doncoffey5820 thanks for the advise I hope I have done a good enough job I work in a pharmacy so I hope those skills transfer its for a northern job you send a cv and a cover letter and that's about it now
Another excellent video, ideal if you were learning the roads. Autumn, working a 110 DMU up the Cheshire line to Manchester Victoria. The joy of standing in the guards door as the unit slid through Delamere because of the mulched leaves and having the "bold" driver propel back to the platform. (it only happened once). In a 142, it was hell on wheels.
Nostalgia :) I used to go 'spotting' at Skelton Junction with some friends. Class 37s doing run arounds from the cement works at Northenden. Round about 1978 - brings back good memories. First cub camp at Cuddington - I was 12 - 1964.
Thanks for 'doing' this line, Don. It may interest you to know that my Paternal grandparents had a greengrocer/bakery shop right on the corner of the road in Hale, outside the station, I was born in Knutsford, and my Maternal grandparents worked in the ICI at Northwich. I well recall the steam-hauled ICI hoppers going past the end of our estate, and where that large multi-windowed building appears to be standing, on the right of Knutsford station used to be the coal yard. I'll have to go back, one of these days, and see how much else has altered since 1955!
My friend from school used to live in one of the railway cottages at 1:04:20. Growing up playing there and (when were a bit older) going for midnight drunken walks in the forest was great. Delamere Forest is pretty magical.
Don't know what it is, but just so pleasing to hear a purr coming from a 150 sprinter, and memories of them from my teen years in the Derby / Nottingham area, especially on a run up to Skegness. Do miss the 150's around here, so is nice to see one on the Nottingham / Leeds run, when they do occasionally appear, in place of the normally expected 158's.
I'm surprised you didn't mention the missing section of roof at Chester, clearly noticeable at the very end. This was caused by a major fire from a petroleum train which lost control on the steep gradient from Helsby (which you did mention) due to inadequate braking effort. It had been booked to run as an unfitted train from Ellesmere Port to Helsby, and then as a fitted-head train after reversal at Helsby, but the brake pipe wasn't connected so only the locomotive and brake van brakes were available. The Chester signalman was unable to divert the train away from the bay platform, which had been signalled for a different train… The affected section of roof was demolished as it wasn't considered economically repairable. 40+ years later, it's still missing!
Don, I am awed by your knowledge of the system. I spent my childhood and adolescence in Sale, on the Manchester-Altrincham line....a couple of points...I noticed the high doors on the Metrolink cars as they use the former railway platforms, which would be too high for normal cars. Also I was amused by your references to "Navvies" to build the railways in the area. "Navvies" is short for "Navigators", the term used to refer to the predominantly Irish labourers who were brought over specifically to work on building the canal system in England from about 1750. As these workers were nearly completing the canal system in England, they began to be transferred to the building of the railways from about 1840 or so. The prodigious work done by these men can be seen in your wonderful video which shows the miles and miles of raised embankments to support the new railway construction, especially across the flat Cheshire plain, to allow for the necessary underpasses. "Manual labour" was just that....
Hi Don, as previous comments from all over UK and abroad! Brilliant would love to see these in real time from other parts of the country, Us Southern guys have the Hastings DMU unit that still manages to get onto most of the south east networks🤓
It was something they did to cheapen maintenance costs towards the end of the BR era. Some lines are getting doubled now but I don’t think that one will for a while. I’ll edit the return journey one of these days.
another great video. You mentioned the site of the old Baguley station about a minute too soon Don. The loop at Skelton is still there though no longer in use. There is no sign at all now of the dismantled branch from Mouldsworth to Stanlow
You used to be able to see the site of Baguley and the branch at Mouldsworth but it’s 5 years since I signed that route and I’m a tad rusty at picking them out. I’ll look at the return journey and see if it’s any better.
Trains from Manchester Oxford Rd to Altrincham and Chester used to go to Chester Northgate stn via a overbridge across the Helsby Chester line at Mickle Trafford The bridge is still there
Congratulations on this excellent series of videos. The accompanying captions make what could be 'just another cab-ride' really come to life, without detracting from the high class production. As one who lives north of Manchester (at the northern end of the Rochdale-Manchester-Bolton-Blackburn-Clitheroe route) I really look forward to the day when it may be possible to enjoy this (and other north-of-Manchester lines). Along its length it covers all manner of scenery from built-up Greater Manchester to the pure delights of the Ribble Valley as the train runs down Langho Bank. Here's hoping! A number of your followers have mentioned that they trace the route using Google Maps. May I suggest that OpenStreetMap be chosen instead? Railway lines are so hard to find on Google Maps whereas OSM shows them in all their glory, even down to sidings and cross-overs. Take a peek at Piccadilly Station on OSM (at high zoom) to see what I mean. Keep up the good work.
Thanks David. I would love to do some of those North Manchester routes but my access is mainly to the south. The best I can offer is Blackpool North which should be later this year. I’d have to torment somebody at Victoria to do any more. Maybe I’ll ask at a later date. Some of the others have suggested openstreetmaps too. My favourite is a Track Atlas from Amazon or WH Smith.
I almost didn't watch because of the sun... glad I stuck it out- nice ride and I liked the running commentary. I wonder if that is a normal passenger load and if so, how the line stays open.
Superb Video, Particularly since I never traversed this route entire! Just normally a jaunt between Piccadilly and Altrincham. For abandoned waggons whilst we are on the subject, there were two coal/Ballast waggon's at Burnden Sidings, Bolton for an absolute age, the foliage covered them eventually, now removed due the Electrification engineering works..
@@doncoffey5820 Yes you are correct Don, they were Seacows loaded with ballast left over from weekend engineering work and were due to return to Guide Bridge yard. The track spread underneath the train when departing the sidings and the rest is history - I remember the day well from a different perspective!
@@doncoffey5820 You are quite correct Don, they were Seacow's loaded with ballast that were stabled in the sidings after weekend engineering work. The plan was for them to go to Guide Bridge yard but while the train was leaving the sidings, the train derailed when the track spread. The intention was to recover them at a later date but the newer generation of hopper wagons were being used (Autoballasters)more and more so it was decided to leave them in situ to await their fate.
So I wonder how many of the signalling components discussed in your informative comments were manufactured in the works behind Northenden Junction Signal Box.... at 18'55" you can glimpse the factory "Art Deco" facade - built with bricks from the founder's house? I should get out more I know....
Nice film. A note about that wagon lost in the ICI sidings just before Northwich station - that looks like a German-registered ferry wagon, it has the characteristic brake rigging arrangement necessary to accommodate vacuum brakes. Its clearances are therefore very much OK for UK use (bar maybe the Hastings line and parts of the Widened Lines in London). Definitively preservation fodder as wagons of this kind are almost extinct.
I signed it as a manager to assess driver over the route so it was quite new to me. However, if I remember rightly, it was there is 2003 when I was involved in some route learning maps for that line.
Many thanks Don....I’m really enjoying your fascinating videos and the information you’re passing on. I have subscribed! Query: I’ve noticed that when you include a side view inset shot....the inset video picture is inevitably brighter, and the brightness really make me notice how much darker the main forward-looking video is in comparison. Looking at the variation of the effect as your train passes under road bridges, etc., I realise it must be the camera operating on automatic settings. Is it possible to overcome this problem? Keep up the great work...my knowledge of railway history is improving as I watch! Regards, Rob, Bournemouth in Dorset.
Interesting video but whatever perspective one views this nothing will change the tiring look of the stations, the passengers and even the tiring feel of the journey too!
These videos are clearly edited and annotated with great care. I'm so grateful for your efforts to share your knowledge and experiences with us. Thanks again!
Thanks Simon, more soon.
Great video Don, thanks for uploading.
The story about the wagon at Lostock Gralam reminds me of a similar incident that happened at Tees-side in the 80s. At Tees yard we used to have job of taking oil tanks from Teesport to Jarrow and return. At Jarrow was a refinery with unloading bays pumping petrol, diesel etc. The loco wasn't allowed next to the unloading aprons as it was a fire hazard so a rusty old 2 axle 'reach' wagon was always stabled there, the procedure for collecting the empty tanks and positioning loaded ones involved quite a bit of shunting and 'run round' moves. My mate was a guard at Tees and in a rush to get an early finish one day forgot to detach the reach wagon from his train when ready to depart back to Teesport. No one noticed until he got back to the destination that he had taken a condemed piece of junk 50 miles at a top speed of 60mph over the East Coast mainline without any problem. Its a minor miracle that it didn't develop a hot box as it can't have seen oil for decades :-)
I bet its happened more than once! I also imagine it happens with passenger trains too!
@@doncoffey5820 Yea I bet it does. When unfitted and vacuum braked freight vehicles were being condemned in vast quantities hundreds were stored at Tees Yard, a local scrap merchant a couple of miles away was buying them in huges quantities to cut them up. Every morning a local trip working from Tees Yard would take him his usual load of perhaps 40 wagons. We were supposed to take only the wagons on the 'tops' list but there were always 100s more ready for the next trip. After a while we got friendly with the scrap man and would 'accidentally' take him a few extra in return for a few quid or a few cans of beer. They were only condemned rubbish that the railway didn't want so no-one ever bothered when a few went 'missing' :-)
Mr Coffey, you present us with superior videos of your country, historical information about lines, buildings, scenery and life. You have a mastery of presenting information. Enjoying your videos ! Thanks!!!!
I appreciate that Michael, they take (read that as days) hours to produce.
This is a superb video with really interesting captions, thank you.
Many thanks for another fascinating video. Your notes and captions add a great deal to the enjoyment that I, for one, get from your videos, particularly when, as this one does, it covers a location where I spent my childhood. I certainly appreciate the effort you put into this. As far as the journey is concerned... Sadly, Skelton Junction is now a shadow of its former self: the three lines that used to converge from the west now reduced to the loop to the line from Altrincham, and the tall signal box that would provide a view over the Moss Lane road bridge now gone. Also I'm amused that Navigation Road has a direct service to Chester. In the days when the service along the CLC route ran direct from Manchester Central to Altrincham, the only regular calling point was Sale - never, ever, Navigation Road. Finally , it's worth noting that the original CLC service did not join the route from Warrington at Mickle Trafford into Chester General, but ran along a separate line into Chester Northgate station, a rather smaller terminus in the city. In your video at 1:13:09, there appears to be a gap between two lines of trees to the left of the junction where the old line might have gone. I don't remember when the rerouting into the General station occurred, but I recall, as a child in the early 1960's, arriving at Northgate.
Thanks Rotman 12. I’ve got books showing the complexity of the route and I only wish I could include some photos without infringing any copyrights. Soon after we joined the Up Main at Mickle Trafford, the train passed under a bridge which carried that line to Northgate and looking at my old map, I’m sure you’re right about the gap in the trees. There is a Foxline book - Railways Across Mid Cheshire which focuses on the entire route and is worth getting IMO. ISBN 1-870119-66-5
Another excellent cab view, and this one has triggered all sorts of memories for me. At 29'43" you pass an obscure office block on the left about 200 yards after leaving Hale. In 1978 it was the offices of Harrington Fleming and Worsley (Architects) where I took my first job as a junior Architectural Technician. Age 19. Amazingly the office block still has the same front door (being designed by Architects for Architects it was well specified and made!) which I can remember nervously going through for interview. Yep, the memories are flooding back - of course I was delighted to discover that my office was on the first floor overlooking the railway although I never dared much to stand gawking at the trains as I wanted to! Thanks Don 👍😎
I think that if you have the slightest interest in trains, it is almost impossible even as adults to resist watching one go by even if you have to stand on tip toe to catch a glimpse of one passing under a bridge! Interesting about your office block, I think you needed a cardboard cut out to man your desk ;-)
Hi Don, once again another very informative and interesting video. I really look forward to viewing them, thanks for all your hard work putting them together.
Thanks for the kind words Anthony. Much appreciated but some of the credit must go to my mate at Northern.
Great video, thanks. Love the pop-up captions with info, makes it much more interesting.
Thanks Ian.
Another masterfully crafted video, many thanks Don. Delamere forest brings back memories. My family used to go for walks there (and got lost every single time). The simple expedient was to find the Railway track and "shadow" it back to the station / car-park. The last time, my friend and I decided to separate from my parents; we didn't get lost but we realised that my Mum and Dad were, after waiting at the car for them until after dark. We wound-up going knocking on the door of the forest Ranger, who then took us in his vehicle, where we eventually found them limping on the side of a road. :-) He told us that loads of people got lost in Delamere, and it was not unusual for him to have to call the nearby Military base to organise search parties!
There a few regulars that always come up with really nice compliments and interesting comments and you are up there with the best. I really appreciate it it, thank you.
@@doncoffey5820 Mate the comments I make are in genuine gratitude for the content that you are providing. Sure there are plenty of other 'cab-ride' channels, and I don't mean to sound demeaning to them as their content is also good. However, I can honestly say that your insights into the routes; how they operate, (I loved your "101" video), and points of interest, set you apart.
Because you take great pains in this regard, I believe it only fair that people make the effort to engage with you in the comments, and hopefully this will help to rapidly "promote" your channel further.
You know I was part way through another 101 video on signals and indicators but I had another little look at the terms and conditions of my permission to share the footage. It says that "I must not, either verbally or visually give any information that could be used to drive a train” - or words to that effect. I understand why they’ve included that because there were instances of trains being driven without authority (stolen). After pondering for a while I thought that it might be in breech of the instructions so that has been shelved. I might think of one that doesn’t breech one day!
@@doncoffey5820 With the different "Train simulation" software out, that is getting gradually more complex, I think that clause could be getting a bit redundant now. However, I can understand your employer's reticence in divulging any kind of information that might allow someone who is, shall we say "not all there" from jumping into a cab and causing havoc (at the very least, and tragedy at the worst).
I recall my first conversation with my Uncle (BR Inspector), about train driving when I was about 8 or 9. He told me, "Any fool can start a train, but it takes a Driver to stop one"! :-)
@@TheDroppy68 Exactly, you never just know so thats why I held back.
Hi Don, your videos are excellent and for someone who was born and bred in Chester and used the railway network in Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside before moving away over 20 years you are providing a great insight into how things have changed. Thank you 👍
Glad you enjoy them A.J. There are some videos in the collection that show Chat Moss and Cheshire Lines routes to Liverpool too if you haven’t seen them.
Beautiful! I can’t believe I missed this one. It pays to go back through them.
Glad you found it Thomas. I’ll be editing the return journey soon which gives you a different perspective.
Thankyou for taking me back in time. I travelled this line every day from Buxton to Piccadilly and back to get to the nearest grammar school ! Age 11 to 18 . Several of us made this trip. Homework on the train. lots of snoozing . Saw the transitions from Steam to Diesel. Many happy memories of a picturesque journey. Service was very reliable too whatever the weather !
As above, thanks Shaun.
Thank you for another fascinating ride today. Cheers Don. 🏴🙂👍🇺🇸
Cheers Martin.
Brilliantly informative trip, including fine camera work plus railway procedures,history,architecture. This must have taken you many hours to edit. Thank you.
It did take hours. The one I’m working on now is taking hours too and thank you for the kind words.
Another excellent video. I have enjoyed all of them. I find them very informative. I live in the U S and being a train buff I’ve taken to watching videos on U tube from many European nations about the train systems an I must say that you’re all so far ahead of us when it comes to train travel. Keep up the excellent work as I look forward all of your future endeavors
I appreciate the positive feedback Sam, thank you.
Thank you for uploading this amazing videos. Very instructives ones to those of us that live in other countries. Is a good way to know and see other railways systems around the world. Greetings from Argentina.
Greetings to you from Argentina from Scooby in the USA!
Thank you for looking in, much appreciated 👍
Wonderful stuff, great information about closed lines, junctions and the like. I could watch this for hours!
More coming soon so you won’t have to watch the same ones over and over! Glad you enjoy them.
Once again Don, brilliant video and information. Waiting for your next one.
Thank you Don for another great video. All I ever wanted to be was an engine driver, sadly never achieved! Your films are a tremendous substitute. All the best.
I’m glad to offer at least some compensation Mike. All the best buddy.
Thanks again Don. @@doncoffey5820
Excellent video Don! Enjoyed it! Thanks again for all your hard work!
Thanks Terry.
Loved the smell-o-vision at the bakery and as always the narration at various points along the line. It really clears up things for us guys across the pond. After watching, a trip to Google maps and things really begin to come together.
Thanks George. I’ve just got permission from the producers of the network rail maps to use them in my videos which might help place things geographically.
Don Coffey awesome, looking forward to it.
another great one Don, and a route I've never travelled. Thumbs up on it!
Brilliant Don, many thanks for a really well produced video.
Much appreciated.
Brilliant photography and description as always related to my nostalgia. Takes me back to spotting at Baguely Station and sitting by the track at Skelton Junction and travelling to Chester. Those were the days. Thanks for the fine work.
Glad you enjoyed it David! I believe the Metrolink passes through the location of Baguely station now.
This video popped up as a recommendation, very impressed, easily one of the best videos I've seen.
UHD clear picture, no camera shake, clean windscreen ( Very important! ) and excellent captions, a delight to watch.
Subscribed and highly recommended! 👍🙂
Thanks Ian. I spend ages on the screen and in most videos you’ll see regular goes at the washers and wipers and the camera is attached to the screen with the most powerful sucker you ever seen. The GoPro is a fickle device but I must admit it excels at stabilisation.
A blast from the past I was a guard based at Northwich shed in them days we ran out off Oxford road to Chester and also did the hopper run up to Tunstead quarry funny enough I am a truck driver now and run out of Tunstead thanks Don for this great memory for me
Glad you enjoyed it Dennis.
sure did mate
Great video. Remember my 1st trip over it in 1986, the sidings at Northwich were really busy.
At Mouldsworth, there was a freight line going off to West Cheshire junction near Helsby. It closed in 1991 when West Cheshire SB burned down.
The gap between the trees on the left at Mickle Trafford was probably the old line to Dee Marsh, closed in the early 1990s. Passenger trains from the CLC used this to reach Chester Northgate until it closed in 1969.
The odd gap in the station roof in Chester was caused by a fire in 1972. An oil train from Stanlow had run round near Helsby and the brake pipes were not reconnected and the now unfitted train ran out of control down the bank from Mickle Trafford. It ran into an empty dmu at the station and the resulting fire damaged the roof which was removed.
I learn so much from feedback.. Thanks Andrew, much appreciated.
@@doncoffey5820 my pleasure sir. Really enjoy your videos, they bring back pleasing memories of when I first explored the railways up here in the 1980s. And a great way of passing the time as I'm currently "resting" as actors say. It always interests me to get a railwayman's view of things too.
Several memories and points of interest in this superb offering.
1. Site of old Stockport Edgeley depot, last visied in 1966 when A4 60019 Bittern was being prepared for a railtour.
2. Northwich station - saw a Clan pacific, around 1967, hauling a freight. Unusual.
3. Same location - huge trains of liquid chlorine tanks from Murgatroyd's Sandbach Cheshire.
Chester station - last there on my part 1986 - I barely recognised it.
The countryside of west Cheshire is unsung; suspect the locals want it kept that way!
Thanks once again.
I never actually went on the Chester line as a kid but I did visit Booth St Depot at Edgeley where they always seemed quite willing to let us go and look inside the engines. I guess it would be 1969 wish for me. Glad it brought back memories, thanks for sharing them.
Fantastic video as always. The quality just keeps getting better. I love the captions giving a "history" of the railway as it was. Relaxing and informative viewing, and helpful from a railway modellers point of view too. Keep up the good work
I’m getting a bit better! Seriously, they are evolving as we go on but to some extent it’s down to my mate finding time to do these trips.
Love your commentary on train history. It sad to see the demise of train travel. There have been so many shut downs here in Canada. At one time the trains were the backbone of the country. Looking at old train maps, there are many towns that have been abandoned due to train modernization or the building of highways. With the introduction of diesel trains, all of the coal and water station slowly died away. With highway modernization, transport trucks took over. All of the cute rail stations were either bought out or destroyed. In northern Ontario there are many towns that have left individuals isolated, not being able to drive, no longer have means to travel any great distances. Even buses no longer support the norther towns. Once the large pulp and paper companies closed their doors, freight trains were no longer required, and that stopped the passenger trains as well. Thanks fir the videos.
It is a shame but the railways declined when we all wanted our own personal transport. Only now that the roads are choked are the railways seen as an important means of commuting and they are back. It will take years to bring them up to capacity but they will never be like the post war years. The truck is king of freight now.
Absolutely tremendous stuff again Don.
That was a "Gem " of a trip Don! That was a route that I would have never thought to try. If I ever get back over the "pond" I will take this trip!!! Thank you for sharing !!! :):):)
Hello again Harry! Glad you enjoyed it. It is lovely countryside. Let me know if you decide to visit.
OK Don if I ever get back over I will !!!
Excellent informative video of a route I once travelled behind steam! In those days the line was from Manchester Central to Chester Northgate & from Cornbrook was shared with the ex LNER 1500V dc units which used to rattle along stopping at all stations to Altrincham.
I was surprised to see Plumley West Signal box still there (as a block post?) and Northwich is a mere shadow of what used to be - the shed with the magnificent Stanier 8Fs battling up the viaduct with the ICI Limestone trains sometimes another 8F at the rear.
Spent some wonderful times in Delamere Signal Box where the basic principles of the block system were explained so well with the cooperation of the Cuddington & Mouldsworth signalmen answering my attempts on the bells!
Glad you enjoyed it Bob. Its a shame to see all these routes rationalised so much but as Adrain Vaugan called it in one of his books - “Progress the Ogress”.
Really enjoyed watching this, thank you for putting in the time and effort to create and post these videos, looking forward to the next one already!
I’ve not christened the next one yet. We’ll have to see. ;-)
Regularly take this train to Chester from Greenbank and back, really exciting to see it from this perspective, and these videos are going from strength to strength! Great stuff
Thanks TD.
Excellent video. Very well captioned. Very informative, and very well edited. I love trains.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Excellent video. Leaving Stockport at the end of the cutting (14.05 ) is where as kids, we did our train spotting. Used to be a staff path from Castle Street, Edgeley down to the old Edgeley sheds. In this day and age it does seem a roundabout route via Stockport, then Altrincham to get to Chester. Wouldn't it be simpler to take the Metro link from Manchester and pick up the train at Deansgate Junction? . Must say I miss the train living in Cornwall, only had one long journey in many years plus a few short ones on the St Erth to St Ives coast route. However, looking forward to three weeks time for a trip from Bodmin Parkway to Reading on way to Gatwick for holiday in Greece.
I used to visit Booth Street Depot as a kid. I suppose the train going round save changing at Altrincham. There is always the fast route via Warrington Bank Quay.
Another fantastic, high quality, informative video. These are easily better quality than some commercial offerings! Thank you for taking the time to make these videos so good!
I particularly liked the caption about old, bold train drivers now operating ticket barriers! I knew quite a few of those on LU!
Haha. We’re all human and open to mistake but they take a dim view of recklessness. Thanks for the positive feedback DD.
Thanks once again for an entertaining and informative trip.
Thanks Rebecca.
Absolutely amazing video once again I’ve came back to watch it from the start after watching it live halfway through !! Thank you once again don !
I think that is the best way! First time for reading and the next for absorbing!!! Thanks Zeke.
Thank you Don,I can’t get over how quiet the cabs are on these!
Yes, they are quite quiet but they are over 20m in length and the engine is about half way so you are looking at the nearest engine being 10m or 33ft away.
Don Coffey ahh, that’s great. I use the Trainz app on my iPad and it’s something they get really wrong, far too much engine and rail noise in the cab! Thanks Don
The entire site at Oakleigh has been flattened in recent years. Very sad! Great video as usual. Even my mate who signs the line and goes there frequently enjoyed your video!
Oh, nice one, thank.
Absolutely awesome don so loved the video great job.
Thanks Don. Really enjoy watching your videos, reminds of my younger days travelling on my dad's railway pass, (he was a signalman mostly on the Mc/r - Woodhead line from 1948 to retirement in 1993. He was at signalboxes at Godley, Gorton platform, Guide Bridge Stockport Junction & Dewsnap sidings. He was also at Bredbury, he retired from B.R. while at Stalybridge box.
Oh good. I’m glad it brings back memories. It’s Chester tonight but I’ll get round to posting the return Sheffield journey one day which of course covers Bredbury again.
Having lived in Canada the last 39 years I really miss the weekend 'expeditions' on the different routes, especially the ones where I got to ride in the cab if a relative or family friend was the driver. Those were the good old days. Thanks again Don for the memories. Ken.
My pleasure.
Kenneth Ainsworth which boxes did your Dad work on The Woodhead line?
Brilliant Don very enjoyable.
Brilliant video as always! The viaduct at Northwich is amazing!
It really is!
Just had a few biscuits whilst watching the video, well done Don another interesting video.
Hob Nobs I hope Phillip! Thanks as always.
Thanks for posting this - a great movie packed with technical info (I now know what the horn toots mean) and how the 'reduced' (from bygone days) line works. Wonderfully filmed and easy to follow with a map beside me ...
I started watching because as a southern freelancer working in the general Manchester area, 1981-87, always travelling by train hither and yon, I thought it would be interesting to see the landscape in a different educational way. Flippin' 'eck, it was that and more.
Thank you m'lud.
Glad you enjoyed it Al. I try to add the odd snippet of info which are really driven by questions in these comments.
@@doncoffey5820 : If I may add an uncle of mine (originally from Liverpool) and when I were a lad he 'educated' me in the ways of loco-speak; the meaning of Up & Down lines, how the semaphore signals worked (in which order - red, yellow, double yellow) and how he could tell where he was on his route by the sound of the points. He was a Fireman on London express routes (and all through the war) until that rotten Dr Beeching came along and destroyed the system. Boo! Hiss!
Another excellent video Don ! Keep them coming. I just feel for the signaller at Deansgate Junction, one busy guy with trams heavy rail and a crossing to contend with.
He,s got a delightful job compared with the five Stockport boxes.
Another 'bloody' good and informative video Don. I was under the impression they were planning to double the line throughout again; especially in light of the wish to reopen the Middlewich freight only branch to passenger service.
Fingers crossed Antony, they may do it one day and I sincerely hope the people of Middlewich get their station back.
Excellent video. I always look forward to hyours.
Much appreciated Raymond.
this video so good, feel like we really in the cab with You Don, like always very informative!
Thanks Theo.
I loved watching the pace bounce up and down :)
Hiya Don , Awesome video as always , Firstly I would like to thank you for taking my feedback into consideration , Secondly I would like to thank you for implementing my feedback (even if on a test basis) it made the video so much easier to watch and didn't miss a thing on the route , It is greatly appreciated thank you , from a fellow railwayman :)
I rather liked the caption format but I think short sequential captions are better than filling the screen up. I’ll modify that in the next video. Good suggestion. Thanks as always for the feedback.
Fantastic video brings back a lot of memories from when i worked on track. I prefer signalling now though as it's much warmer inside.
A rare namesake! Thanks for the feedback and thanks for keeping us rolling Paul.
Hi Don this is the journey I know best as I live locally, nice to have a cab view 😀👍
Many thanks for this, Don.
It was a real walk down Memory Lane for me. I lived in Hartford in the sixties and seventies. When I was very small, I had a wonderful vantage point of the CLC from the bottom of our road. It was set back about 100 m from the track opposite to where the cord line diverged from Hartford CLC junction to Hartford Junction. Now that field is full of houses, little boxes in which everything is tiny except for the mansion level house prices!
I used to have a wonderful view from the front of the first generation DMUs. The line is very much the same as when I last traveled on it, even down to Mobberly and Plumley signal boxes, including a semaphore on the up line. I remember how the trains to Manchester went directly through to Oxford Road, rather than round the houses. I can even remember going to Manchester Central!
Associated Octel have gone, and the old ICI (where my late father worked) is somewhat reduced. I remember when the panel signal box at Greenbank was first commissioned. I wonder how much longer it will be in use for, although if the charade at Stockport you mentioned is anything to go by, it will have a good number of years to go. I also remember when Chester PSB was built, and the fine LNWR boxes were still going. In the end, Chester PSB covered very little, so it seems.
The massive gap in the overall roof at Platform 6 at Chester General was the result of fire damage. In the early seventies, a rake of tank wagons ran away and ended up in the bay. At least one split and there was a massive fire. They simply removed that part of the overall roof. It remains like this to this day.
I had always taken the stations for granted in those days. They are gems.
Thank you for all your added details, as well as the view of the line. :)
Thanks for the interesting feedback James. I sometimes called at Hartford on my way back from visiting a customer in North Wales in my Motor Industry days. It was all Class 86 and 87 and coaches in those days. I don’t know when signalling will go to the ROC - they keep chipping away in small sections but that Chester line is considered less important than son some of the “major” routes so who knows. Its all a question of money.
I’ve actually got some cracking footage of the return trip which I will post as soon as I get round to editing.
Regards
Don.
Hi Don, I am relatively new to your channel, and I am impressed with the quality and research contained in each video so refreshing! Thank you. Perhaps others may follow!
Thanks Steve. More videos coming soon.
HinduCowGirl sent me. Hi Don, thanks for making these. Our house loves driver's views!
Glad you enjoy them.
Great video Don. Some nice old stations on that line, pity some of them have been let run down. Looking forward to more excellent videography. Thanks. K.
Thanks Kenneth.
Great quality, especially as not the best weather for filming, very informative (even more when running google earth next to it) and brings back memories.
Good, glad you liked it Malcolm.
Love the new captions. Great video👍🏾
I love these videos always looking forward to the next one. hope one day ill get to be a driver
You will if you put your mind to it. Good luck.
@@doncoffey5820 Thank you i'm on my 4th application attempt, hopefully i'll get past the first sift.
You need to tell them about your transferable skills - what you can take to the role of driver.
@@doncoffey5820 thanks for the advise I hope I have done a good enough job I work in a pharmacy so I hope those skills transfer its for a northern job you send a cv and a cover letter and that's about it now
Another excellent video, ideal if you were learning the roads. Autumn, working a 110 DMU up the Cheshire line to Manchester Victoria. The joy of standing in the guards door as the unit slid through Delamere because of the mulched leaves and having the "bold" driver propel back to the platform. (it only happened once). In a 142, it was hell on wheels.
They can be quite challenging in leaf fall but quite nice to drive too.
@@doncoffey5820 iirc, it was the more modern stock (158,156,etc) that struggled as the traction control would cut in and shut off the power.
Your videos are great thanks.
Thanks James.
Nostalgia :) I used to go 'spotting' at Skelton Junction with some friends. Class 37s doing run arounds from the cement works at Northenden. Round about 1978 - brings back good memories. First cub camp at Cuddington - I was 12 - 1964.
Glad it took you back Tony.
Excellent and informative, as ever!
Very smooth video with info..I lived Bebington, Ellesmere Port & Chester as a teenager..
Glad you enjoyed it
wow, wonderful train video
Great video as usual, I would have thought with all the development by the line new stations might have a chance.
They’ve just improved the service and there will soon be no 142s over there too.
@@doncoffey5820 Thanku Sir, you are one diamond geezer.
Superb work,thanks
Another great video. Enjoying this more than the current second Test between Australia and New Zealand at the MCG.
Well thats an accolade I’m fairly sure I’ve not had before!!! Glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks for 'doing' this line, Don. It may interest you to know that my Paternal grandparents had a greengrocer/bakery shop right on the corner of the road in Hale, outside the station, I was born in Knutsford, and my Maternal grandparents worked in the ICI at Northwich. I well recall the steam-hauled ICI hoppers going past the end of our estate, and where that large multi-windowed building appears to be standing, on the right of Knutsford station used to be the coal yard. I'll have to go back, one of these days, and see how much else has altered since 1955!
Aye, I can imagine you seen some changes. Thanks for sharing your memories, I’m glad you enjoyed it.
My friend from school used to live in one of the railway cottages at 1:04:20. Growing up playing there and (when were a bit older) going for midnight drunken walks in the forest was great. Delamere Forest is pretty magical.
There is some sensational countryside out there.
Excellent video much information to an old codger like me. Many thanks
I’m not exactly young myself!
Don't know what it is, but just so pleasing to hear a purr coming from a 150 sprinter, and memories of them from my teen years in the Derby / Nottingham area, especially on a run up to Skegness. Do miss the 150's around here, so is nice to see one on the Nottingham / Leeds run, when they do occasionally appear, in place of the normally expected 158's.
It was a 150/1
Lovely and nostalgic aren’t they. I guess we’ll lose them in the not too distant future so we should make the most of them.
I'm surprised you didn't mention the missing section of roof at Chester, clearly noticeable at the very end.
This was caused by a major fire from a petroleum train which lost control on the steep gradient from Helsby (which you did mention) due to inadequate braking effort. It had been booked to run as an unfitted train from Ellesmere Port to Helsby, and then as a fitted-head train after reversal at Helsby, but the brake pipe wasn't connected so only the locomotive and brake van brakes were available. The Chester signalman was unable to divert the train away from the bay platform, which had been signalled for a different train…
The affected section of roof was demolished as it wasn't considered economically repairable. 40+ years later, it's still missing!
I didn’t mention it because I didn’t know about it but someone kindly added a link yesterday.
Great video as always
love all the additional information
Thanks Paul.
Don, I am awed by your knowledge of the system. I spent my childhood and adolescence in Sale, on the Manchester-Altrincham line....a couple of points...I noticed the high doors on the Metrolink cars as they use the former railway platforms, which would be too high for normal cars. Also I was amused by your references to "Navvies" to build the railways in the area. "Navvies" is short for "Navigators", the term used to refer to the predominantly Irish labourers who were brought over specifically to work on building the canal system in England from about 1750. As these workers were nearly completing the canal system in England, they began to be transferred to the building of the railways from about 1840 or so. The prodigious work done by these men can be seen in your wonderful video which shows the miles and miles of raised embankments to support the new railway construction, especially across the flat Cheshire plain, to allow for the necessary underpasses. "Manual labour" was just that....
I discuss the Navvies in several videos as they never cease to amaze me. As for my knowledge, I learn something new every day!!
Hi Don, as previous comments from all over UK and abroad! Brilliant would love to see these in real time from other parts of the country, Us Southern guys have the Hastings DMU unit that still manages to get onto most of the south east networks🤓
Have you seen Four Foot’s videos?
@@doncoffey5820 Also Rolling Wheels are covering much of the SWR network.
I’ll have a look.
Great video. Would love to see a video like this of the Calder Valley
Have you seen the Keyworker Express video?….. ua-cam.com/video/4cYPcVo-UtQ/v-deo.html
Brilliant, as always.
Much appreciated Robert.
Very nice and informative trip Don - strange that short single-line section near the Chester approach?
It was something they did to cheapen maintenance costs towards the end of the BR era. Some lines are getting doubled now but I don’t think that one will for a while. I’ll edit the return journey one of these days.
another great video. You mentioned the site of the old Baguley station about a minute too soon Don. The loop at Skelton is still there though no longer in use. There is no sign at all now of the dismantled branch from Mouldsworth to Stanlow
You used to be able to see the site of Baguley and the branch at Mouldsworth but it’s 5 years since I signed that route and I’m a tad rusty at picking them out. I’ll look at the return journey and see if it’s any better.
Trains from Manchester Oxford Rd to Altrincham and Chester used to go to Chester Northgate stn via a overbridge across the Helsby Chester line at Mickle Trafford The bridge is still there
Yes, we discussed it the other day. Just after we turn out at Mickle Trafford.
Congratulations on this excellent series of videos. The accompanying captions make what could be 'just another cab-ride' really come to life, without detracting from the high class production.
As one who lives north of Manchester (at the northern end of the Rochdale-Manchester-Bolton-Blackburn-Clitheroe route) I really look forward to the day when it may be possible to enjoy this (and other north-of-Manchester lines). Along its length it covers all manner of scenery from built-up Greater Manchester to the pure delights of the Ribble Valley as the train runs down Langho Bank. Here's hoping!
A number of your followers have mentioned that they trace the route using Google Maps. May I suggest that OpenStreetMap be chosen instead? Railway lines are so hard to find on Google Maps whereas OSM shows them in all their glory, even down to sidings and cross-overs. Take a peek at Piccadilly Station on OSM (at high zoom) to see what I mean.
Keep up the good work.
Thanks David. I would love to do some of those North Manchester routes but my access is mainly to the south. The best I can offer is Blackpool North which should be later this year. I’d have to torment somebody at Victoria to do any more. Maybe I’ll ask at a later date. Some of the others have suggested openstreetmaps too. My favourite is a Track Atlas from Amazon or WH Smith.
Amazing !it’s a different point of view from the drivers cab , much better than a coach window should I add
Kettles on and I'm ready to settle down and enjoy this 😁
Did it meet your expectations?
And then some! Fascinating perspective and the quality is stunning!!
well informed trips mate,congrats
Glad you enjoyed it Stephen. More soon.
You give us great information there. Thanks
Thanks Stephen.
I almost didn't watch because of the sun... glad I stuck it out- nice ride and I liked the running commentary. I wonder if that is a normal passenger load and if so, how the line stays open.
Yes, it gets on my nerves too at this time of year. All ended well and the return journey was good too. I’ll post it up when I get chance.
Excellent video 👍
Superb Video, Particularly since I never traversed this route entire! Just normally a jaunt between Piccadilly and Altrincham. For abandoned waggons whilst we are on the subject, there were two coal/Ballast waggon's at Burnden Sidings, Bolton for an absolute age, the foliage covered them eventually, now removed due the Electrification engineering works..
I remember those wagons - Sea Cows I think. They were loaded with stone I think.
@@doncoffey5820 Yes you are correct Don, they were Seacows loaded with ballast left over from weekend engineering work and were due to return to Guide Bridge yard. The track spread underneath the train when departing the sidings and the rest is history - I remember the day well from a different perspective!
@@doncoffey5820 You are quite correct Don, they were Seacow's loaded with ballast that were stabled in the sidings after weekend engineering work.
The plan was for them to go to Guide Bridge yard but while the train was leaving the sidings, the train derailed when the track spread. The intention was to recover them at a later date but the newer generation of hopper wagons were being used (Autoballasters)more and more so it was decided to leave them in situ to await their fate.
So I wonder how many of the signalling components discussed in your informative comments were manufactured in the works behind Northenden Junction Signal Box.... at 18'55" you can glimpse the factory "Art Deco" facade - built with bricks from the founder's house?
I should get out more I know....
No not at all Alistair, very interesting. I learn lots from comments like this. All the best.
Wonderful, simply wonderful.
Very nice of you to say Al.
Nice film. A note about that wagon lost in the ICI sidings just before Northwich station - that looks like a German-registered ferry wagon, it has the characteristic brake rigging arrangement necessary to accommodate vacuum brakes. Its clearances are therefore very much OK for UK use (bar maybe the Hastings line and parts of the Widened Lines in London). Definitively preservation fodder as wagons of this kind are almost extinct.
Yes, that would be a fine fate for it Nick.
Hi, in the early 80's I worked at the outstations in the Northwich area. How things have changed now, do you remember Mouldsworth box, it's gone now?
I signed it as a manager to assess driver over the route so it was quite new to me. However, if I remember rightly, it was there is 2003 when I was involved in some route learning maps for that line.
Many thanks Don....I’m really enjoying your fascinating videos and the information you’re passing on. I have subscribed! Query: I’ve noticed that when you include a side view inset shot....the inset video picture is inevitably brighter, and the brightness really make me notice how much darker the main forward-looking video is in comparison. Looking at the variation of the effect as your train passes under road bridges, etc., I realise it must be the camera operating on automatic settings. Is it possible to overcome this problem? Keep up the great work...my knowledge of railway history is improving as I watch! Regards, Rob, Bournemouth in Dorset.
They are two entirely different cameras. Its just a little feature I can add when I’m not actually driving the train.
Excellent, as always.
Thank you as always.
Interesting video but whatever perspective one views this nothing will change the tiring look of the stations, the passengers and even the tiring feel of the journey too!