วีดีโอ

Walked from Cromford Junction right up to Middleton Top and Hopwood Quarry when I was at school in 1971. Friday afternoons was “Outdoor Pursuits”. Used to go rock climbing, fell walking etc. Great memories 👍👍

Appreciate you going out in the cold and wet - I've only ever been in good weather! The drone shots at the end were an insight, as I'd never seen that section before. I'd gone as far as the giant quarry and then detoured to The Royal Oak for dinner and a few pints in the evening sun before returning to my b&b near Parsley Hey. Cheers mate 👍🙏

Great video, Paul! Although I come from the area, I was totally unaware Doncaster had a second station. I recall my parents cycled to the market in Doncaster. Perhaps the lines in Doncaster need re-developing for local passenger services?

What a great series that is Paul; probably the best I’ve seen. I don’t think there is a place in the whole of the UK that has changed so much, in such a short space of time, as the Wath/Manvers complex. Thank you to you both.

Brilliant video Paul bring back the class 76s i remember them great documentry nice to see all these old photos and filming to.

Wobbly, It's Whitwell Wood (not woods, there is just one) and it is the largest wood in Europe, Jimmy Mac

👍👍

Looking fwd to this. Nice backing track too - reminds me of Badly Drawn Boy 🤗

great watch. thanks for the maps too. subbed

What a brilliant video. Brings back loads of memories.When I was about 12 We used to walk on Sundays from Cudworth on the main midland line, pass through Darfield station, then walk down a lane to Elsecar jct signal box. There was a little footpath that went all the way to Wath sheds alongside the track. Boy was there a load of Locos. I have loads of photos. We would walk from the bridge and down a little lane to the right, as there were always loads of 25s and 31s parked on a single line that lead to the sidings and the other shed. When I got older I used to take my kids to the sheds {In the car) and show them all around. We also used to park up in front of the signal box where the Swinton & Knottingly line joined the Midland, as you could see all the move ment from Wath below you. What lovely memories. I am now 74 and never will I forget my spotting days. Thanks a lot.

There is a Brilliant Book, with Great photos of the area called, Industrial Railways, of Manvers Main & Barnburgh Main by, A.J. Booth. It’s readily available from the, Industrial Railway Society. Just google it.

A very good video of the huge rail facilities at Wath.. It's criminal that the double track between Doncaster and Barnsley via Wath, wasn't retained for through services to Penistone and on to Manchester.

It’s a strange description in the (presumed) auction catalogue - “it contains One Room upstairs and downstairs” then goes on to list six rooms 🤷‍♀️

great video of all the closed railways in the uk the woodhead route is the most interesting looking at it now its hard to believe there was a railway there in the first place

Very much enjoy this one Paul. Great that you included (well good mention of) the third station at Wath and also the old sleepers lying decoratively by the roadside. I've trekked the Wath North (Midland) track bed section before during the gap between lockdowns back in Autumn 2020, from Cudworth via Darfield. A bit dodgy on the bike in parts, but do pass under or over at least two or three other lines and also take in the curve round to Grimethorpe along the way.

I remember having a look around some S Yorks Depots in about 1981 and i reckon we got a 2p Bus from Mexborough to Wath to that bridge to scoop up some 76s that were always on that siding. Always seemed to me that they stabled the older non multiple working vacuum brake only examples on this siding (no doubt somebody will proove me wrong) maybe as the Multi fitted were more busier and mainly semi permanently paired up becasue of the heavier Fitted MGR duties. Not to mention another 2 being needed on banking duties.

excellent video 👍sad to see it change so much sad to see it go do we know why it closed and where did the soil come from to fill it there must be 1000's of tonnes must bring back lots of memories who remember it as it was

Moor road bridge was a brilliant place to observe the depot .

Spent some happy hour's spotting at wath as a kid and got to operate the barriers at elsecar junction thanks to two signalmen Ernest and Gordon who took pitty on me when it was raining as i was spotting there , i can remember the pneumatic signals and the row of little slide levers that operated them , now i cycle there a lot on the TPT .

We should crowdfund getting the slides converted for you! Would you be willing to send them somewhere to be scanned to digital?

Overlaying the 6 inch to the mile OS maps and making comparisons will pin point all features past and present with greater accuracy. A then and now, can be envisaged, with the aid of photographs. The drone footage also helps from an aerial viewpoint too.

Remember the midland line at Wath as a kid great video I am 77 severn

Unbelievable Paul. I did my driver training in 88 and we had an instructor that lived locally. We walked into what had been the yard and as I recall most of the site was still visible I signed the route from the north just after and manvers coking plant was still open but closed soon after

It would be great to get your dad's slides done at some point. The ones you've shown are top quality. Having scanned a large batch of slides myself, I would recommend the Kodak Pakon which can handle serious quantities. An F235 Plus will do 800 frames an hour at 3000×2000 resolution, so 33 35mm rolls a time. Then there's the question of identifying and sorting them, that's another matter.

Noice

Is Manvers lake completely artificial? I'd always assumed that it was sunken from the mining in the area. Incredible to see this area and how it used to look!

Great video the tunnels on wath road we used to ride motorbikes through there late 80s was known as raga the bridge on queen street was filled in 1993 that bridge was really high

Absolutely brilliant video unbelievable change since closing many thanks 👍🏻

My dad worked there for many a year his name was big Les Simmons, can remember going to meet him in Wath yard with mum after his shift, and just before it shut, my dad too me and my brother through one of the locos, he was Ben sat us in the drivers seat and dad stood behind us with us in the drivers seat took it up the yard to a set of points then back again , will always remember that. Plus also seeing the Flying Scotsman when it was down there with the great bell on front. Great memories of a kid.

The black water tower leather sleeve carried the spring water into the loco tender. It was called the BAG by the railway workers. The water was carried up in old converted loco tenders to the engine houses at the top of the inclines and to sidings like Longcliffe and Hartington for use of villagers and farmers because of lack of water on the limestone plateau.

Great videos interesting to watch thanks😊

Thanks

Thats how i remember it! Its totally unrecognisable now & its not been that long since the last trains ran on the line. You always know where there was railway lines by the number of silver birch trees that grow there! Great explore Paul & John especially the area around the old Wath station & the huge infilled cutting towards Mexborough. ❤😊👍

At around 5:52 the drone footage you can make out the outline in the ground of the building that was once there (I think you can anyway). When I visited the reservoir last year (the adder hunt remember lol) I'd seen this on Google map satellite view and walked around it, I just assumed the dry walls were for livestock shelter or something, it's a shame the lodge was demolished, but maybe, it's a case of letting it go to ruin would then become a liability for the land owners. Just speculation. Whilst this video may have not been conclusive, it's still a good watch about parts of my local area that I'd otherwise not know about.

This is why TH-cam is the best channel! Brilliant series - thank you for covering what is left of Ashover in such detail. Helpful contemporary maps, photos + drone shots.

Nice little video, been waiting to see this one since you did the reservoir. I need to get back out there , it's fantastic walk with some beautiful views 👍

Lovely view and another good video something different at least it was better weather for you Paul and didnt snow.

Suppose you must have been asked this question before. What drone do you use ? Regards Mark .

We used to walk through the fiery Jack all the time as kids, and climb the bull rocks in the 70’s

Great video. Shame about the Elsecar Heritage place. Visited there years ago, mainly to be reacquainted with dmu 101685 "Daisy" having travelled on it around Manchester in the early 2000's. Bit sad to see it there doing nothing, and now on the NYMR doing nothing :(

That train goin past was from scunthorpe steel works to Eastleigh yard.

Hi Paul, wow stunning views of the Peak District! I love evening walks the light is beautiful. Not much left of the lodge you have to use your inpmagination Paul! It's nice just having a Potter about! See you on the next one Paul. ❤😊👍

The came out really well. We almost sounded like we knew what we were talking about! If anyone knows anything about Ramsley Lodge please let us know as I’m fascinated to know more 😎

A well dodgy area, very brave!

Hello from Helston heritage railway, nice job on the brake van. Like us there's a lot of work to be done in the future. Good luck

Millhouse was my local station when I was growing up, I used to fall asleep to the sound of the trains.

Thanks for posting another very interesting presentation. It's rather sad to think of all the disused stations around our wonderful city that could be re-opened for better access to various areas. Btw, not sure if anyone has heard of this before. But, quite a few of older Sheffield people used to nickname Heely Station as " Heeley Duffem " as it was easy to escape the ticket collectors when using certain exits.

Great one Paul so much history thanx for sharing.

Great one again Paul.