Hi Ollie, wonderful video, memories memories. I’m now 80, but in the late 40’s latchford locks and latchford swing bridge were my playground . Frightens me to death now, but I used to ride my bike happily across the narrow lock gates, zigzagging across from side to side! Always waited at the locks for the American ships to come through, the sailors would throw us packets of chewing gum, oranges etc. At the Swing Bridge, if the bridge keeper was in a good mood, he’d allow me to stay on the bridge as it swung round. I also remember the cantilever bridge a little further down, because it had a ‘pill box’ on the Warrington side of it. Thanks for bringing back those childhood memories.
I am not normally bothered by heights, but knowing how crumbling that structure was, I will admit to looking away sharply a couple of times, with my toes curling. That hole in the deck - albeit deliberately made for some reason - really gave me the creeps. Great vlog, always a sense of sadness for long lost railways. The double track still in place was haunting and, if the line had not been closed, would it still be useful? We'll never know.
Wow what shame these pieces of history are allowed to fall into such disrepair, It would be great if they where maintained as a bridge so people could walk across and make much more use of our open spaces. Love the vids I do hope that no one trys to follow you over that bridge it looks so dangerous.
A familiar site to me. When I was a boy in the 70s my dad would take me to Latchford locks and we'd watch the big ships going through. I remember he'd hold so tightly onto my hand the whole time I'd have red finger marks on my hand when we got back to the car!
That's the Crossfield Transporter Bridge which was the first Railway transporter bridge in the world. Can be seen on train heading for Bank Quay Station. Worth seeing.
Great video, of an amazing but sadly neglected structure. I can remember freight steam engines passing over the bridge with a load of wagons. Well done for accessing the bridge.
I must admit my legs turned to jelly watching you take the first steps on that viaduct. I am a big fan of the Ship Canal and it's associated engineering works. Your videos are very entertaining , many thanks
Oh, memories, in the 6o's I was a teenage fireman at the Warrington depot. (Dallam) we were over this viaduct on a regular basis. However one time sticks in my memory, we were on an engineering train with a class 9 loco right in the middle of the viaduct while men welded a pipeline across the bridge, I remember thinking as I leaned out of the fireman's window, man! It's a long way down and there's only fresh air between me and that canal needless to say the driver and I did not get off the loco all the time we were on that viaduct, I was rather glad when we moved off.
Glad you were able to do that walk for us all , I live locally and have always wondered if you could walk it . I work on the Railway and started just before they shut down the line so never worked over it . Should never have shut it because the journey to Manchester area took 20 minutes with a 60 mph train were now over the Chatmoss or via Northwich takes at least an hour
This is another great Go Pro armed explorer channel. I went to most of the Manchester (steam) loco sheds in Manchester (Newton Heath, Longsight, Trafford Park) in the 60's.
I've cycled under here many times and always wondered about the line. From below I thought it looked in quite good condition, now I see otherwise! the Latchford Locks crossing always seemed really dodgy and decaying as well, despite it still being in use.
Great video, there used to be a sidings off the other end of the viaduct jot sure if they lifted them up. I could be wrong but think there was a connecting line to Arley sidings in Warrington
Blimey, gave me vertigo. Well done for capturing it's final days. I know the area well and remember the trains, even the steam trains. It was a busy freight line in the 60s.
Went over that bridge at latchford in 2009.Trackbed still in good shape but bridge is corroded badly.You looked like you were on the CASSANDRA crossing bridge lol.Good video really enjoyed it .
Well done Ollie typical Mancunian humour, brave face, big smile while all the time weeing your pants well done mate you did us all proud. I miss the Old town and the accent. Thanks for your great Docos Bill the Mancunian in Western Australia
I lived about 150 yds from that bridge, you walked past my old house😃. Great to see my old stomping ground, the place where I grew up. It's a sh1thole, but I love it. Thanks for taking the time to record this. 👍
Absolutely amazing vid. Oddly satisfying as I’ve always wondered what it’s like up there. Would love to see it restored. Good work mate, keep the vids coming.
Their was talk about opening the viaduct up to walk and cycle across, I can see now from the state of the metalwork that without spending a lot of money this will never happen! have you walked along the 20 Bridges viaduct on the Whelley Loop line just north of Wigan, if not it's well worth a look.
I think I went on this line as a small child, the school hired a complete train from Tiviot Dale to New Brighton for the annual school trip. Must have been just before it closed to passenger trains.
Thanks for this mate, but rather you than me! I, too,have been over that viaduct but I was in a train with my grandmother some time in the late 1950s. We went from Broadheath to Warrington Bank Quay in a BR diesel multiple unit. If that line had lasted to privatisation it would no doubt have been maintained and in use as a busy freight line (and maybe passenger as well). BR were starved of money by HM Treasury and were keen to close lines to save money. They even tried to close the Settle & Carlisle, a vital route on today's railway. Thanks for showing us the dreadful state of that structure today. A thought.... Since the viaduct was only needed because of the construction of the Ship Canal and paid for as part of that project, shouldn't the Ship Canal Company be responsible for maintaining it in usable condition for the railway?
Laughing at the graffiti saying Nob Ed not to be confused with Nob end which is featured on another one of your videos lol , excellent video , very surprised that the bridge deck wasn’t scrapped and has survived.
When we were kids we used to play on the ‘iron bridge’ between flixton and irlam, there were still freight trains running, good times, I guess about 1970
Know it well! Used to cycle to work from Flixton to Broadheath and seen abandoned buffers in the middle of a field that I think was part of this line. I've walked over the live Manchester to Liverpool bridge near Irlam locks, it's actually a 4 track one but only 2 are used. There is talk of re-opening the line for walkers. It passes past the remains of Partington Station that I knew nothing about, and it's just up the road from me!
The other side of the bridge you accessed the old track bed on is the buffers of latchford sidings . It’s the end of our patch (Network rail Warrington depot )
Thats was insane yet amazing! , I've never been so nervous watching a TH-cam video 😂 glad your back safe! It was fantastic seeing this grand old viaduct up close and personal yet sad to see had deteriorated it is. One thing that I've always wanted to find and explore is the Whelley loop line viaduct just outside of Wigan. Its quite hidden away and overgrown but maybe now the weather is getting warmer and after a huge amount of inspiration from your videos, I'll take a trip up there! :)
I would start around 20 Bridges behind highfield care home and try and work back, the railway that came through whelley ran up to standish I think most of it would of been built over years ago.
Hello Ollie. You mentioned previously the peat bogs of chat moss. I believe the railway was built on hay bails and wood pallets to make it basically float above the peat bogs. You can feel this first hand if you go and stand beside the track at the public road level crossing at Astley signal box when a train goes past. The whole ground moves beneath your feet!!! Everything moves, rails, sleepers and ballast. The whole lot moves together under the weight of the train, like an earthquake. I worked on the railway for 15 years and walked that line many times!
I now live in New Zealand, but 60 years ago, I used to cycle under that bridge between home in Thelwall and Boteler Grammar just past the swing bridge. I often wondered what it was like up there and now I know. Thanks
That could be a brilliant cycle path.There are similar less scenic old railway tracks totally neglected by those with the say-so,financially.Any volunteers?
Dude that was an awesome video, you've got some bottle to go up on that! Gotta have total respect for the people who built that thing in the first place. I have a terrible fear of heights, and at points what you were doing looked sketchy! From a safety perspective it would be better for the viaduct to be dismantled as it looks well rotten. However it is a shame the railway is disused, given the effort that went into building it. Nice job getting up close and personal with our industrial heritage.
I used to live in the new apartments built on the same land next to the swing bridge so used to driven under the viaduct to get there. Great video and really interesting
Awesome video dude. I quite often cycle the TPT down to Latchford and have always wanted to head up on to the viaduct but I’ve always got my bike with me. That said I would probably s*** myself so I’m pleased that you made this video to show us what’s up there. Keep up the good work😀👍
Live near this bridge and always thought of having a look up close one day......errrr I have changed my mind, I am not scared of heights or anything its the falling that I'm not keen on. Metal work looks a bit to far gone for me. Great video though.
Just recently found your channel and I'm enjoying watching your exploring videos, Ollie. I do love your humour too. When you said about not having a head for heights, I can relate to that. Then when you said you're also not good with balance, that just cracked me up. Keep up the good work!
I live near there and a few days ago I cycled under that section of road on the North side you mentioned. Glad you did not fall down, it's a really long way!! I looked up thinking of you! An impressive piece of engineering, so sad it is being left to rot. Scary to think only a small layer of rusted metal there! PS. No idea how you scaled those fences!
Absolutely fascinating but bloody hell, my stomach went every time you pointed that camera down a hole or showed us how close you were to the edge. Came here after seeing your estate pubs video and thought I'd see what else you had done. Consider your subscriber count now being increased by 1. 👍
You are braver than I am! Nope, wouldn’t see me on that bridge. You have to wonder what it will take before somebody has to take it down - it wouldn’t be cheap but at some point parts will start falling into the canal or onto the roads below.
How about Tivitdale railway Stockport there is a sandstone cutting that runs along side the M60, which is only a few feet from the motorway and possibly a tunnel under Lancashire hill, see if any thing is left of Tivertdale station on the other side. Stockport least known station,
I know this one. This is the one at latchford locks, isn't it? That passed through dunham massey, nice park there. Most of it's been made into a cycle path now and there's still lots of old original station cottages at the various road crossings. Either station master's houses or crossing keeper's cottages. And he's gone there in blazing sun without a drop of sweat. If I tried going there I'd be drenched in it, like I was at clifton viaduct.
Great vlog. If you are interested or planning to do anything on the Bridgewater canal. I have a narrowboat on the bridgewater and you are welcome to come aboard to sail and vlog any points of interest Ollie. I took Martin zero for his Worsley Delphi vlog. Enjoyed the day with him.
Wow loved the video....the old unused viaduct reminds me of the Cassandra Crossing...
Thanks for taking us along onto the viaduct. You've spared a lot of viewers the risk, while satisfying their curiosities!
Hi Ollie, wonderful video, memories memories. I’m now 80, but in the late 40’s latchford locks and latchford swing bridge were my playground . Frightens me to death now, but I used to ride my bike happily across the narrow lock gates, zigzagging across from side to side! Always waited at the locks for the American ships to come through, the sailors would throw us packets of chewing gum, oranges etc. At the Swing Bridge, if the bridge keeper was in a good mood, he’d allow me to stay on the bridge as it swung round. I also remember the cantilever bridge a little further down, because it had a ‘pill box’ on the Warrington side of it. Thanks for bringing back those childhood memories.
I think the pillbox was on the Cheshire side.
Another great adventure, thank you 😊
I am not normally bothered by heights, but knowing how crumbling that structure was, I will admit to looking away sharply a couple of times, with my toes curling. That hole in the deck - albeit deliberately made for some reason - really gave me the creeps.
Great vlog, always a sense of sadness for long lost railways. The double track still in place was haunting and, if the line had not been closed, would it still be useful? We'll never know.
Wow what shame these pieces of history are allowed to fall into such disrepair, It would be great if they where maintained as a bridge so people could walk across and make much more use of our open spaces. Love the vids I do hope that no one trys to follow you over that bridge it looks so dangerous.
A familiar site to me. When I was a boy in the 70s my dad would take me to Latchford locks and we'd watch the big ships going through. I remember he'd hold so tightly onto my hand the whole time I'd have red finger marks on my hand when we got back to the car!
Im scared shitless of hights and omg just watching this makes me go
My vertigo was working overtime!
You have a disused Transporter bridge just outside of Warrington , crossing the Mersey . Worth a look. Nice video , thanks 🙂👍
if you mean in widnes it was tore down many many years ago
That's the Crossfield Transporter Bridge which was the first Railway transporter bridge in the world. Can be seen on train heading for Bank Quay Station. Worth seeing.
Great video, of an amazing but sadly neglected structure. I can remember freight steam engines passing over the bridge with a load of wagons. Well done for accessing the bridge.
fantastic victorian viaduct, nice video.
Loved this when you first uploaded still loved watching it again now 👍🏽 despite the second hand vertigo 🙀😂
Cheers thanks mate
I must admit my legs turned to jelly watching you take the first steps on that viaduct. I am a big fan of the Ship Canal and it's associated engineering works. Your videos are very entertaining , many thanks
Oh, memories, in the 6o's I was a teenage fireman at the Warrington depot. (Dallam) we were over this viaduct on a regular basis. However one time sticks in my memory, we were on an engineering train with a class 9 loco right in the middle of the viaduct while men welded a pipeline across the bridge, I remember thinking as I leaned out of the fireman's window, man! It's a long way down and there's only fresh air between me and that canal needless to say the driver and I did not get off the loco all the time we were on that viaduct, I was rather glad when we moved off.
😊very enjoyable thank you from NZ😊😊
Glad you were able to do that walk for us all , I live locally and have always wondered if you could walk it . I work on the Railway and started just before they shut down the line so never worked over it .
Should never have shut it because the journey to Manchester area took 20 minutes with a 60 mph train were now over the Chatmoss or via Northwich takes at least an hour
The other bridge near the Irlam locks was a great play area for us kids ? Dangerous of course but kids will be kids !
A rope access inspection was carried out by Peel Ports between 24th-28th August 2020 on the viaduct.
That viaduct need a lot of LOVE........ Great watch and thanks for posting........
This is another great Go Pro armed explorer channel. I went to most of the Manchester (steam) loco sheds in Manchester (Newton Heath, Longsight, Trafford Park) in the 60's.
Don't expect that rail line to stay there long now you've exposed it! Fair bit of scrap value there.
Love the walks Mary Ellesmere Port
I've cycled under here many times and always wondered about the line. From below I thought it looked in quite good condition, now I see otherwise! the Latchford Locks crossing always seemed really dodgy and decaying as well, despite it still being in use.
Great that I have always wonder what it was like up there was very interesting u keep safe 👍👍👍
I love how those gates are no barrier, nice.
Grew up not far from there and used to be up on those disused lines all the time in the 90’s
The Manc Survivorman! Really enjoy your videos. I'm from Liverpool, seeing all the local history is brilliant. Especially the Mersey stuff. Thank you.
Love it...Also greatly appreciated and enjoyed History of Manchester 4..Spot on narration and tour..✌
Great video, there used to be a sidings off the other end of the viaduct jot sure if they lifted them up. I could be wrong but think there was a connecting line to Arley sidings in Warrington
a good walk is west kirby to hooton railway path quite a bit of interest on the way and ice cream at parkgate is a must
Another great bit of railway history, sadly looking at it, may not survive another decade? Glad you got to do this before it's lost.
Blimey, gave me vertigo. Well done for capturing it's final days. I know the area well and remember the trains, even the steam trains. It was a busy freight line in the 60s.
Went over that bridge at latchford in 2009.Trackbed still in good shape but bridge is corroded badly.You looked like you were on the CASSANDRA crossing bridge lol.Good video really enjoyed it .
Its zo cool seeing the paths of where water ways once flowed. The then and now images are amazing.
Awesome. Made my balls tingle at the height you were at. Couldn't do it me. Great work matey 😁
Well done Ollie typical Mancunian humour, brave face, big smile while all the time weeing your pants well done mate you did us all proud. I miss the Old town and the accent. Thanks for your great Docos
Bill the Mancunian in Western Australia
Thanks Bill. 👍🏼
A fascinating look at this structure and I have to say you've far more bottle than I have!
Foolhardy but fascinating. I often drive under it and wonder what it is like up there.
I lived about 150 yds from that bridge, you walked past my old house😃. Great to see my old stomping ground, the place where I grew up. It's a sh1thole, but I love it. Thanks for taking the time to record this. 👍
Absolutely amazing vid. Oddly satisfying as I’ve always wondered what it’s like up there. Would love to see it restored. Good work mate, keep the vids coming.
Their was talk about opening the viaduct up to walk and cycle across, I can see now from the state of the metalwork that without spending a lot of money this will never happen! have you walked along the 20 Bridges viaduct on the Whelley Loop line just north of Wigan, if not it's well worth a look.
Great video my heart was racing after seeing that hole...thank u for ur insights your brilliant and daring stay safe
Utterly mad but shaky-leg exciting. Shows the magnificance of Victorian engineering.
I think I went on this line as a small child, the school hired a complete train from Tiviot Dale to New Brighton for the annual school trip. Must have been just before it closed to passenger trains.
Thanks for this mate, but rather you than me! I, too,have been over that viaduct but I was in a train with my grandmother some time in the late 1950s. We went from Broadheath to Warrington Bank Quay in a BR diesel multiple unit.
If that line had lasted to privatisation it would no doubt have been maintained and in use as a busy freight line (and maybe passenger as well). BR were starved of money by HM Treasury and were keen to close lines to save money. They even tried to close the Settle & Carlisle, a vital route on today's railway.
Thanks for showing us the dreadful state of that structure today.
A thought.... Since the viaduct was only needed because of the construction of the Ship Canal and paid for as part of that project, shouldn't the Ship Canal Company be responsible for maintaining it in usable condition for the railway?
Great video, sketchy!
Laughing at the graffiti saying Nob Ed not to be confused with Nob end which is featured on another one of your videos lol , excellent video , very surprised that the bridge deck wasn’t scrapped and has survived.
When we were kids we used to play on the ‘iron bridge’ between flixton and irlam, there were still freight trains running, good times, I guess about 1970
Know it well! Used to cycle to work from Flixton to Broadheath and seen abandoned buffers in the middle of a field that I think was part of this line. I've walked over the live Manchester to Liverpool bridge near Irlam locks, it's actually a 4 track one but only 2 are used. There is talk of re-opening the line for walkers. It passes past the remains of Partington Station that I knew nothing about, and it's just up the road from me!
Never been there & fair play to youz for bringing it to us; To look at it, reminded me of the old 'Meccano' sets.
The lengths some people will go to find a good dogging spot !! 😂
Great video once again Ollie, many thanks.
The other side of the bridge you accessed the old track bed on is the buffers of latchford sidings . It’s the end of our patch (Network rail Warrington depot )
Ah right. Good to know thank you!
Thats was insane yet amazing! , I've never been so nervous watching a TH-cam video 😂 glad your back safe! It was fantastic seeing this grand old viaduct up close and personal yet sad to see had deteriorated it is.
One thing that I've always wanted to find and explore is the Whelley loop line viaduct just outside of Wigan. Its quite hidden away and overgrown but maybe now the weather is getting warmer and after a huge amount of inspiration from your videos, I'll take a trip up there! :)
I would start around 20 Bridges behind highfield care home and try and work back, the railway that came through whelley ran up to standish I think most of it would of been built over years ago.
Suggestion, get hold of a hi-viz vest and wear it. Ironically, people would ignore you thinking you are maintenance worker
Hello Ollie. You mentioned previously the peat bogs of chat moss. I believe the railway was built on hay bails and wood pallets to make it basically float above the peat bogs. You can feel this first hand if you go and stand beside the track at the public road level crossing at Astley signal box when a train goes past. The whole ground moves beneath your feet!!! Everything moves, rails, sleepers and ballast. The whole lot moves together under the weight of the train, like an earthquake. I worked on the railway for 15 years and walked that line many times!
Sounds exciting. You could take a woman there so she could feel the earth move!
@@majorpygge-phartt2643 Nice one.😂
That’s the west timperely to Warrington partington and candid head
Well done
I now live in New Zealand, but 60 years ago, I used to cycle under that bridge between home in Thelwall and Boteler Grammar just past the swing bridge. I often wondered what it was like up there and now I know. Thanks
Modern day explorers are no less intrepid and fearless as their ancient counterparts. Those images were giving me vertigo.
That could be a brilliant cycle path.There are similar less scenic old railway tracks totally neglected by those with the say-so,financially.Any volunteers?
Great video. We really get the sense of the viaduct. I live near to it but obviously never been on it
walked over the Viaduct many many times they was a nice big hole on the left somewere in the middle of the viaduct
Dude that was an awesome video, you've got some bottle to go up on that! Gotta have total respect for the people who built that thing in the first place. I have a terrible fear of heights, and at points what you were doing looked sketchy! From a safety perspective it would be better for the viaduct to be dismantled as it looks well rotten. However it is a shame the railway is disused, given the effort that went into building it. Nice job getting up close and personal with our industrial heritage.
Outstanding video thanks 👍
Amazing video how did you get on the locks that’s amazing photo by the locks
I used to live in the new apartments built on the same land next to the swing bridge so used to driven under the viaduct to get there. Great video and really interesting
Awesome video dude. I quite often cycle the TPT down to Latchford and have always wanted to head up on to the viaduct but I’ve always got my bike with me. That said I would probably s*** myself so I’m pleased that you made this video to show us what’s up there. Keep up the good work😀👍
Those shots from high - glad it was you and not me. Legs have gone. Great video.
Mate those holes mad my stomach turn.
Thanks. Great informative vlog.
Looks dodgy footing. Great vid. Sad to see historical places like this being left to rot.
Really enjoyed this video Ollie. Often wondered what was up there. Thanks very much
very interesting
Ya lucky bugger that viaduct is awesome you surrounded by industrial heritage int' North!
Cheers thanks!
I'm really starting to enjoy you're videos
Brilliant thank you 🌍🌞🌈❤️
I know you were not in your element but just wanted to thank you for the video... great views from that bridge.. good content. :)
Nice one Another Interesting video Old Relics are bit freaky
Great video, thanks for sharing. Toes are uncurling a bit now, thanks for asking :)
Loved this one mate
Live near this bridge and always thought of having a look up close one day......errrr I have changed my mind, I am not scared of heights or anything its the falling that I'm not keen on. Metal work looks a bit to far gone for me. Great video though.
All that history
I look at them fences and am like how does he always get round them I always get stuck trying.
Great video, fascinating stuff.
Just recently found your channel and I'm enjoying watching your exploring videos, Ollie. I do love your humour too. When you said about not having a head for heights, I can relate to that. Then when you said you're also not good with balance, that just cracked me up. Keep up the good work!
Haha thanks very much!
I live near there and a few days ago I cycled under that section of road on the North side you mentioned. Glad you did not fall down, it's a really long way!! I looked up thinking of you! An impressive piece of engineering, so sad it is being left to rot. Scary to think only a small layer of rusted metal there! PS. No idea how you scaled those fences!
Cheers thanks very much 👍🏽
fascinating - but made feel ill when you panned down to see the water !
Good Video. Why not do the Woodhead Tunnels near Glossop
Great Channel, very interesting
Absolutely fascinating but bloody hell, my stomach went every time you pointed that camera down a hole or showed us how close you were to the edge. Came here after seeing your estate pubs video and thought I'd see what else you had done. Consider your subscriber count now being increased by 1. 👍
Aw thanks very much that's great!
You are braver than I am! Nope, wouldn’t see me on that bridge. You have to wonder what it will take before somebody has to take it down - it wouldn’t be cheap but at some point parts will start falling into the canal or onto the roads below.
How about Tivitdale railway Stockport there is a sandstone cutting that runs along side the M60, which is only a few feet from the motorway and possibly a tunnel under Lancashire hill, see if any thing is left of Tivertdale station on the other side. Stockport least known station,
The tunnel under Lancashire Hill is filled in don't think you can pass under it
@@chrisnicholls8636 Martin Zero did a video about it since
My aunt used to live on Knutsfird rd near there
Wow ! Thanks for that ( you mad bugger :) )
I know this one. This is the one at latchford locks, isn't it? That passed through dunham massey, nice park there. Most of it's been made into a cycle path now and there's still lots of old original station cottages at the various road crossings. Either station master's houses or crossing keeper's cottages. And he's gone there in blazing sun without a drop of sweat. If I tried going there I'd be drenched in it, like I was at clifton viaduct.
i'd be more sh%t scared dropping my phone between the gaps.....lol
Great vlog. If you are interested or planning to do anything on the Bridgewater canal. I have a narrowboat on the bridgewater and you are welcome to come aboard to sail and vlog any points of interest Ollie. I took Martin zero for his Worsley Delphi vlog. Enjoyed the day with him.
Hi thanks. That's sounds amazing thank you. I've just watched that video you did with him. What a lovely day! I'll definitely be in touch!
Hey Dave, how can I PM you please?
Should turn it into a nature trail or cycle path, if it's not viable for any metrolink plans
Nice one! Just how the heck do you get past those evil looking metal spiked fences???