Visiting Every Station - Barlaston, Wedgwood & Norton Bridge Disused
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ส.ค. 2024
- In the county of Staffordshire are the odd disused stations of Barlaston and Wedgwood - last served in 2004, but they're both still fully there and not in an abandoned condition. So whilst in the area to do the Least Used Station in Staffordshire (Longport) it seemed almost rude not to go and visit them!
I asked railway maps designer/cartographer Andrew Smithers to come join me as he lives nearby in Stone, to go for an explore and see what we could find, and we actually started our day at Norton Bridge ...
There's two more videos with me and Andrew, Longport (The Least Used Station) and then and sit down interview 'Choo Choo' chat where were talk about all his map design work, they'll both be published next week.
Follow Andrew on Twitter : / mrmappy
Have a look at the hundreds of maps on his website: www.projectmapping.co.uk/
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Just like to say I very much enjoyed Andrew's milk train story. You could almost picture the small, lonely train in the cold, dark night. It's hard to not get nostalgic about such a bygone era in railways.
Yes, shout out to the milk train story. That's a real gem!
We used to get one of those out of Kings Cross to get home at ungawdly hours. In fairness it ended up being swapped to a mail train when I was young but everyone still called it the milk train up to it's end.
I'm sure I could hear one even from Oadby in Leicestershire when I was awake in the early hours and the wind was coming from that direction.
man the characters in the Geoff Marshall Railway Cinematic Universe are all just lovely
I agree
After careful consideration and much discussion we’ve decided to name our next child Allotment. Should go over well in the schoolyard.
And it is "gender neutral" which should also please the "Woke" among us!
Allie for short...
"Al" or "Ally" for short...
Your next child will say you meant a lot too them 🥲 no? anyone? i’ll see myself out 😅
Oh no among us that’s sus
After a busy day, these ‘tour with a delightful local expert’ videos of yours, Geoff, are a perfect pre-bedtime watch.
Back in the early '00s I was part of the team that supplied the "bus replacement service" that covered the Stafford to Stoke route via Norton Bridge, Stone, Barlaston and Wedgewood. We had two vehicles on standby thoughout the day, waiting at Stafford Station for customers who wanted stations along the route. Anyone who wanted just Stoke was put on a coach. We were using a Mondeo and a Transit Torneo. If less than 5 people were waiting at Stafford, the Mondeo would take them, with the Transit taking any that followed later. We only went to the requested stops. Anyone waiting at the stations that didn't have a drop-off was out of luck if they hadn't spotted the huge notice and called ahead. At each station we had to run on to the platform and yell out that we were the replacement service and how many seats we had available, run back to the car, wait 2 minutes and then leave. Then we did the reverse run from Stoke. It was a shoddy, shambolic arrangement that was merely lip-service to helping passengers. But, to be honest, that was all that Fraser-Eagle (who had the coverage contract) would pay us to do. Most of the passengers understood, but one guy was very drunk and arsey and annoyed everyone. He fell asleep. He missed his stop (Barlaston) as he was too drunk to tell me which one he wanted. When we got to Stoke (he was the last one on), I saw that one of the others had written "KNOBHEAD" on his forehead in marker pen. I didn't tell him.
I was waiting for Andrew to reply “no bugger off and catch the train” when Geoff asked if he wanted to be his taxi driver. Would have been funny!
I see Geoff is sub-contracting for the Whitewicks now :)
Quote of the Day: “Camera not broken. Helpful.”
fr
Helpful information signs on disused station is exactly my idea of what england is.
The 14 is the replacement service, the 100 just happens to follow a similar route, but less frequently.
The 14 finished in April 2021 and was replaced by the 100.
Hilarious. No trains stop, but the sign says they do take Apple Pay.
What a surprise! Was with Andrew on a rail tour to Burma. Brilliant holiday. I was the Tour Manager with our Burmese guide, Johnny.
Amazing! Hope you're ok.
Service withdrawn in 2004 along with Stone. Stone was restored a few years later. Etruria and Polesworth around the same time. Etruria gone completely. Polesworth now has a 1 train per day parliamentary service.
That look Geoff made when he found out that this is the busiest mainline in Europe - *You had my curiosity but now you have my attention*
Also, The 14 was a normal bus service that ran from Stoke-on-Trent to Stafford although was cut a while ago, Yet the 100 still runs as a dedicated service for Wedgwood and Barlaston at limited times throughout the day between Stoke-on-Trent and Stone
How limited?
Can you still buy tickets to Barlaston or Wedgwood? Obviously I wouldn't expect to catch the train there but it would be cool to know if you can still do that. The trainline app still recognises Barlaston lol.
@@nathanw9770 Yes, you can. Just had the same thought and tried to. It tells you to walk, then take the bus for train to take you elsewhere.
This ran mornings and evenings in PMT days. Was very well used. (I worked on the PMT at the time)
Yes,the 14 used to compete with the First Bus ran 101
Thank you, Geoff. Whilst in Staffordshire, I am really, really hoping that you'll cover the "mothballed" line from Stoke to Leekbrook Junction (and hence connection with the Churnet Valley Railway heritage line). This link still has track in situ but is quite overgrown. It's a lovely walk (all right - technically trespassing but everyone and his dog walks it) as it follows the Caldon Canal for some miles.
I wish it would open again, doesn't have to be a railway, it's perfect for trams.
Barlaston should just be reopened with basic facilities like Stone because the locals would use the train service especially as it’s quite built up area and the train In favour (Birmingham to Crewe via Stoke-On-Trent ) always passes Through so it won’t hurt to stop it.
What a wonderful chap Andrew is!
Andrew is fantastic. Love having him aboard!
Love how these stations are still in such great shape. Would love to see more videos covering more abandoned stations!
Loved Andrew's memories of the milk train and the blue flashes - painted a great picture of the time and events!
Welcome to Staffordshire Geoff! I've passed these stations plenty of times on the train but never had the chance to have a look at these three disused stations (even know Barlaston and Wedgwood are not officially closed) I do love that they have kept the Regional Railways signage on the platforms, it's always the two things I keep a eye out for when passing through between Stone and Stoke-on-Trent and even know it was raining, still awesome to have a look at them via TH-cam, great video Geoff, looking forward to Longport, Staffordshire Least Used Station video.
Fun fact - Barlaston is the home of the UK’s centre for the international language Esperanto. I visited once on the rail replacement bus!
Allotments yay! 😄 And the shot at 2:44 of you both looks like a couple of school boys wanting to get a glimpse of the next cool train passing by ☺️
I've got a weird fascination for abandoned stations. I've always kinda wanted to explore the platforms at Smethwick West, even though there most likely isn't really anything there worth looking at.
So many memories! Back in the 60s we went to Wedgwood Memorial College, right next to Barlaston station, for a residential in the 6th form. Assuming such a tiny station would have few trains, we thought we'd have a peaceful time, away from the urban city noises. We soon learned 😂.
Norton Bridge, as mentioned, was the limit of the North Staffordshire Railway - or the Knotty. It had a slightly more vulgar colloquial name apparently. Peter Terson's production of 'The Knotty' at the original Victoria Theatre contained the following lines :
In nineteen hundred and twenty three
Amalgamation came to be.
The personal touch on the personal line,
The NSR was lost to time.
Thank you for these videos Geoff. I look forward to every one of them!
By definition, very near to both Barlaston and Wedgewood, is the Trent & Mersey canal, which also runs through Stone. I have done the Stone - Leek narrowboat cruise via Etruria twice. Indeed, on the first trip we moored the first night at Barlaston and we could hear the trains all night. I love that section of canal, especially the Caldon canal to Leek, although there is a short branch (which our boat was unable to navigate because of a very tight tunnel.) I know you are not, ordinarily, a fan of preserved railways, but at Wedgewood you were probably only a couple of miles from the Churnett Valley Railway - with STEAM engines! Nice, interesting vlog Geoff, thanks.
I've been up and down that bit of canal a number of times. Sometimes it would have been very helpful if the stations there had been open (replacement buses are not equivalent as I'm sure everyone watching this channel would agree).
I remember mooring and walking to the pub past the closed Wedgwood Memorial college and seeing the closed station and just thinking how sad it all seemed.
Happy days spent cycling to Norton Bridge in the 1940s when I lived in Stone.Aged 8 to 10.Although I lived opposite Stone Station then there were more exciting rains to be seen at Norton Bridge.The locals back then usually referred to Wedgwood as Wedgwood Halt.Thanks for the video.I can't believe I used to cycle there at age 8 to 10.Not many vehicles about in those post war years
Incidentally the road networks around Norton Bridge were also massively altered to accommodate the huge rail interchange mentioned.
Geoffrey Dingle The cottage you showed at Wedgwood was the crossing keepers cottage before the barriers were installed the gates were hand worked. I worked on the installation of the power signalling at Norton Bridge in 1960 and have an extensive collection of photographs of the whole area you covered from 1960 onwards. Also I photographed the Norton Bridge Diversion Scheme from the very beginning.
Andrew's milk train anecdote would be enough to get a like on its own!
What a spectacular guest Geoff! Full of stories and info. Good video as always!
I like Andrew. He seems really fascinating to talk to.
Looking forward to the Longport video. Very strong chance I'll see my nans old house.
fantastic to have such contextual knowledge and stories...
Great to see a video in my local area! Very enjoyable! Certainly looking forward to the Longport video
That station bus so sounds like one near us in Australia in a rural area. It’s called the ‘town name’ general store stop’ even on the sign. There hasn’t been a general store (or any) operating in the town for the last 40 years. It was knocked down.
It's such a peculiar thing isn't it, the 'ghost' station as I call it! The not quite abandoned or closed, but just disused and unserved stations. Big energy of somewhere like Redcar British Steel, or the IBM Halt in Scotland. How fascinating, and I guess it makes sense to not wipe out a station entirely - mothball it instead, in case it's needed again!
Or in the case that the local community/county demands that train services stop there again. Don't forget, the train operators serve stations because some contractor of them wants them too and pay for the stop.
When you do least used Darnall, check out the abandoned station at Rotherham Midland. Quite a lot left, I think the same is at Brightside.
Used to be known as Rotherham Masborough. Non stopping trains often still use the line through the abandoned station, as it’s quicker than passing through Rotherham Central.
In the 1970s, I regularly caught the Sheffield-Doncaster train, leaving the former around 07:50. It stopped at Attercliffe Road (another abandoned station on the viaduct) and Brightside. There was no Meadowhall station at that period either.
Amazing Video Geoff!!!
Geoff not only is your content interesting, but your presentation is really relaxing and de-stressing. Great for winding down at night, in a good way!
Was just randomly thinking about these stations the other day! Good timing haha
Ah to hear the least used station theme music again 😍
Thanks, Geoff for another fun video. Cannot wait for the next 😁
What a brilliant video (they always are) but this is so good! Andrew is a great contributor!
Excellent video, Geoff 👍
I used Norton Bridge station a few times in the 1990s and early 2000s when I was photographing trains from the lineside footpath between Heamies and Millmeece. In those days a class 310 EMU would work a Stafford to Stoke shuttle, calling at all stations, including Wedgewood and Barlaston
So good. Been wanting to see something about these stations for ages. Would be great for the area if the stations could be reinstated.
Overjoyed at the end, to hear what has always been my local home station - Longport!
The welcome return of allotments.
Love these, keep up the good work👍
Great video. More abandoned / disused stations please Geoff.
Love your videos and you are in my neck of the country. I live in stoke on trent. This video has had my day. :) thank you
Lots and lots of info. and an interesting watch. Keep 'em coming 👍 Oh and I'm glad the camera is alright.
Andrew is a very engaging chap. I thouraghly enjoyed this video.
Thanks Geoff and Andrew for the video and some history of the stations.
The platforms at those stations are in much better condition than Angel Road (closed May 2019) considering they have been closed for 17 years.
I believe that’s because they’re minimally maintained in case there’s a need for evacuation
I never clicked on a video so fast! Will you ever do the least used station in Northern Ireland?
Another great video Geoff.
Enjoyed this video very much.
The only man in the world that can make a bus stop,allotment and disused car park interesting to the non specific couch potato.A special talent.
I’m sure the level crossing gates at Wedgwood were manually operated gates by a crossing keeper when I worked there surveying for the West Coast upgrade many many years ago, did Barleston too and many others up and down the WCML.
I live nearby and I can remember as a kid the chap coming out of the white cottage to open and close the gate. He also chased us off one day for putting coins on the track to see if the trains would squash them..
it is a pretty interesting disused set of stations
Nice to see my local area being featured think I briefly saw u interviewing somebody in Stone
Your least used station track always gets me so pumped! Really looking forward to a new L.U.S. video! Wish we had a recording of the sound without any other noise or dialogue in the background.
Hello, I was watching through Geoffs old videos and in the tube map video with Paul I noticed in the comments you were asking people if they could send you some tube maps, I’m happy to send you some for free if you pay for postage, if your interested please reply and I will give you my email so we can sort it out.
Many thanks,
Dominic (All the trains)
I remember the slam door coaches from Stone to Stafford station. And I was at art college with Andrew !
Great video Geoff so interesting
Cool to see the regional railways sign still in situ at Barlaston
I'd strongly recommend you invest in a decent tripod Mr Marshall !! 😎
Really enjoyable video Geoff.
Ah, so this is a station that for all legal purposes is open. But the public can’t use it. I saw another video saying it’s an expensive and long process (multiple years) to formally close a station. So instead a lot put on a permanent bus service to replace the trains.
And yet if Barlaston does resume service, Wedgwood would officially close
I wrote my first car off on that green bit opposite the Barlaston Old Road Wedgewood bus stop. Aaaah, memories!
Grew up in Stone. Never expected that to show up in one of your videos (though it occurs to me you must have gone through it during All The Stations).
only stopped there in 2017, but never got out. can now say (as you'll see next week!) that i've visited it properly! thanks Derek!! :-D
Very interesting. I'm heading to Lichfield next weekend, so might be worth me driving to see these 3 on my way home.
The bus that goes that way used to be the 14 run by D&G bus between Hanley and Stafford but earlier this this got changed to the 100 and cut to only go as far as Stone but the service is quite infrequent there is another that also runs through Barlaston which is the 104 route run by select bus services which is just a town circular and only has around 4 buses a day.
As far as I remember these stations started to disappear when the West Coast upgrade took place. The fact of a slowish station on a busy high-speed line meant their days were numbered. I believe the last services were DMUs run by firms such as "Central" trains. Some went as far as Birmingham but most stopped at Stafford. A short sighted transport decision, but that's always my opinion. I don't know if the replacement services run anymore, I don't hear about them when I visit Stoke.This busy city area does suffer from poor public transport.
This was one of the reasons why Beattock station closed when WCML was electrified in 1975. The other was the station footbridge which they said was not worth replacing.
Stoke is just dire for decent public transport, couldn't agree more.
You are a brave man Geoff! I only have a Canon 70D, but I wouldnt even risk using it in weather like that, never mind watching it fall off the fence...I used to live about 8miles up the road from Stone, and the weather is typically Staffordshire!
again, a very interesting channel , thanks for sharing 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
Great video, I'm looking forward to your nezt one, I've used Longport Station several times, curious little thing. Also I'd love it if you could do a video on Ardwick Station because it confuses me. :)
It's so weird to see you in the county where I grew up!!!
Norton Bridge was my local station when I was a kid. A cycle ride to it usually signalled(!) an exciting day trip to Stafford. The carriages were ancient even in the 70s. I remember getting told off for jumping on the seats and creating clouds of dust. Shame you didn't get to visit Coldmeece station (although I doubt there's much left - but there are some remains of bridges leading to it still I guess).
From what I remember, some of the platform foundations at least were still visible in about 2006
5:31 Regional Railways style station names! (the blue + white stripes). At my local station you can still see the stripes if the light catches at the right angle underneath the GWR and FGW stickers.
Finally a video on Barlaston :D
where the drugs began to take hold
Confession: I love dancing to the Least Used Station music. Am I the only one?
@@geofftech2 Mum's the word.
Cannot believe I missed you at Wedgwood! You’d have been more than welcome to come and dry off and have a brew!
Hope you had a beer in the ‘plume of feathers’ at Barlaston, great video,,,
Barlaston has remained in such good condition over the years that I wonder just how much maintenance it would really cost if they wanted to open it up as a request stop.
I've been to the Stone/Stoke area twice - it pissed down all day on both occasions.
superb video
Excellent.
Heaton Station, Newcastle - totally gone.
Old Jesmond now a pub and Indian.
We LOVE Andrew
Yay my home local. My niece had her 16th birthday party in stone station ex ticket office.
I did catch a train through these stations in 1999 Also the 100 bus dates back to 2004. Pmt the local bus operators may have renumbered it all now due to local politics. Not kept up since I’m a tube nerd now
Shot great, thanks))
I'm really astounded by Andrew's memory, I wish I remembered things as well as that...
Two stations in the middle of a town each, closed! Yep that sounds about right!
That looked like a fun outing.
Very good & a little confusing with the buses!!! 🙂🚂🚂🚂
Definitely can still get timetable information to Wedgwood on the National Rail app. Love how it tells you that the service from Stoke-on-Trent is "likely" to be a bus or coach 😂😂. Maybe a bit economical with the truth?!
You chose the best guests for your videos, Geoff!
The question is, which one of you is Paul, and which one is Rebecca Whitewick?
Looking forward to the Trilogy
I got the bus once when it was called the X1 run by baker bus. Mainly to get between the two Staffordshire university campuses but I think it was gone by my final year (2013)
Ahh the venerable X1
Used to like going on that one, preferred it to First's 101. Think it became the rail replacement after the stations were mothballed. Can remember the buses having Central Trains branding.
Nice video geoff