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028 This relic is constructed of old sleepers. What was its purpose? Situated between Hunters and Sparrowhall Bridges.
Hatfield-Dunstable-Leighton Buzzard |
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| just for information believe this was a sand box |
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| This is a ballast boxand there would have been quite a lot of them at one point.Track maintenance crews had to replace ballast as they were reparing the railway and was more convenient for them to have it at regular intervals.
The disused railway between St-Ives & Cambridge had lots of these odd boxes too!
Great photos by the way! |
| [#8782685] |
2008-11-02 22:38:57 |
Left by Richard Pike (#1130902) |
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| This relic is a bin to hold small ballast chippings for packing under sleepers. They were spaced at regular intervals along the line. |
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048 Marshalls Heath Lane crossed the branchline in the Lea Valley at Leasey Bridge. One of the crossing gates survived here in 1990.
Hatfield-Dunstable-Leighton Buzzard |
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| What memories invoked of waiting for trains, whilst playing in the river and nearby gravel pit. The crossing keeper was a lady and the gates were closed against the road, we were a little scarred of her she seemed very gruff. Because the sighting for trains coming from Wheathampstead was poor the gates operated a distant signal, there was no such signal for the other direction. I travelled on the line a number of times in the 40/50s. |
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Helmdon
Great Central Railway London Extension |
| [#8703174] |
2007-12-15 16:01:58 |
Left by Andy Thompson (#1173898) |
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| Just come back from a fab winter walk across he old GC viaduct at Heldon, past the station site. It looks very much like this photo even now (Dec 2007)
My interest is the SMJ/N+B. Visit www.towcestersrailwayhistory.co.uk
Andy |
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01 The former station building at Wescott (thats the black shed on the right!), looking west towards Brill. By 1999 the adjacent cottage had been extended over the trackbed. Who would nowadays even suspect that London Transports predecessor would have operated trains here????
Brill Tramway |
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| Station hse westscott. My grandfather was stationmaster (Joseph Varney). My mother was born in the house in 1912. I spent all my school holidays there as we lived nearby at Brill where my father owned a garage. I have photographs taken in the late 30s and during the war years. The sole surviving daughter of Joseph and Sarah Varney still lives in the village - Mrs Molly Washington, former landlady of the White Swan pub. She is now 86 years old. Great to see your pic. Would appreciate a copy if possible. Max H. |
| [#8512904] |
2006-04-26 10:33:51 |
Left by David Warby (#1112806) |
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| If you would like a copy of the picture, please drop me an email and I will contact you directly, Dave |
| [#8512905] |
2006-04-26 10:36:01 |
Left by David Warby (#1112806) |
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| I can be contacted via the 'Leave a Message' box on the lost lines Index page. :-) Dave |
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02 Wootton Underwood is in the middle of nowhere... yet both the Brill Tramway and Great Central Railway both passed near this spot. This is the tramway looking east towards Westcott, curving around Navigation Spinney.
Brill Tramway |
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| My grandfather and great grandfather were station master and staion manager at Westcott and lived in this house from 1871 when it was built until the line closed and grandfather Joseph Varney bought house and station outbuildings for £330.
Sole surving daughter of Mr Varney still lives in Westcott village (aged 86). |
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32 In this 2005 view one track can just be identified curving around from the depot towards Watford Stadium, which is only about 250 yards away and would be visible if it wasnt for the undergrowth.
Croxley Green Branch (L&NWR) |
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21. Looking towards Colne Jct just beyond bridges 3 and 3A, the signal is out of use and the tracks resemble a jungle, compare this spot with photo 19.
Croxley Green Branch (L&NWR) |
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| A great site, itbrought back many happy memories as I came down from Glasgow to work in the sheds as an electrician in 1970, I worked with a guy called Fred Aldridge, but I lost touch when I moved back up to Glasgow in 1971 |
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07. The Rickmansworth branch served several industrial sidings. One branched off here on the right to serve the Colne Valley Water Co. Light Railway which ran narrow gauge trains to their pumping station on Eastbury Road.
Rickmansworth Branch (L&NWR) |
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| enjoyed seeing the pics of croxley line.have lived in croxley for the last 18 yrs and love the history of old railways.have cycled the ebury line many times and when not cycling around sarratt and flaunden,visit the pheonix tral near thame,the watlington branch and will soon check the lines around verney jct and grenden.also plan to do the tarka trail in north devon as that is my home county.
keep up the good work
regards
martyn evans |
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59. A year has passed since the last photo and the station building has been demolished, only the steps to the platform remain. The phonebox has also been removed.
Croxley Green Branch (L&NWR) |
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| Heavy sigh, heavy heart... |
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05 The stored units occupied roads 12 and 11 seen in this view. I was escorted along these roads to see my 'last' 501s.
Croxley Green Branch (L&NWR) |
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| The imagination falters at what it must have been like - cacophony at its best! |
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42. In this view of Watford Stadium it would appear that someone has indeed 'liberated' the BR corporate style name boards!
Croxley Green Branch (L&NWR) |
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57. Network South East branded the Midland Region DC routes as the 'North London Lines'. All day trains were introduced on weekdays and Saturdays on the Croxley Branch. This noble gesture was thwarted by half-hearted marketing and regular cancellations which unsurprisngly resulted in poor patronage. By 1989 Watford West was open all day (and night), tatty and uninviting... except to the vandals.
Croxley Green Branch (L&NWR) |
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| As history continues to prove: without WHOLE-Hearted support at the top and willingness to plow ahead, noble gestures can be doomed. |
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63. Thawing snow drops collect on the stairway valancing as we descend to platform level. In the background Scammell Works buildings can be espied.
Croxley Green Branch (L&NWR) |
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| And they are going to replace art with concrete. Hmpf... |
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53. Watford West in happier times. During the day when no trains were running, the station was locked shut to prevent vandalism. Note the traditional red telephone box and apparent support for Vietcong!
Croxley Green Branch (L&NWR) |
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| This brought back a lot of memories. We used this station on a regular basis, getting off at the High Street to go shopping. What a shame the line is no longer open. It would solve a huge amount of traffic problems were it to be brought back into service. |
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| That graffiti creates a true "blast from the past" - my head is swimming... |
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62. Looking perhaps more Great Western than BR Midland Region, the stairway to the platform looks in good repair from the outside but would shortly be replaced with concrete steps.
Croxley Green Branch (L&NWR) |
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| This stairway had hinged boards that could be let down to create a slide. I remember this from days travelling to Watford Boys Grammar School. Twenty years later I worked at Euston Station with several colleagues who had been the Station Master Croxley green and Asst Station Master Watford west. They told me that right up until the late sixties the slides had seen regular action for parcels from the adjacent Scammell lorry factory - despatching spare parts to all parts of the empire! Apparently it is not unknown for a spare wheel to end up in the four foot making its way towards Watford High Street. |
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72. The sturdy LNWR stairway will soon be replaced by the flimsy contemporary counterpart which can be seen taking shape on the left in this October 1989 view.
Croxley Green Branch (L&NWR) |
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| Oh sure..."new" must be better than "Old"...so sad... |
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04 Walking into the depot at a weekend when it was still in use, you would be greeted by a line of 501 units awaiting attention against the blocks.......
Croxley Green Branch (L&NWR) |
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| Hi These pictures bring back many happy memories, I used to be the depot clerk from 1968 to 1970 it was a happy depot to work in with many "characters" underneath the pits used to be a rifle range and there were many a rat to be seen down there.
Brian Haselum |
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16. In the waste ground to the left I found one half of a very large maroon enamel sign that once adorned Watford Junction advertising 'fast electric trains'.
Croxley Green Branch (L&NWR) |
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| Initially puzzled by the centre rail in the tracks on this photo. Then, if I remember correctly, I recalled London Transport used to out-stable a couple of 38 t/s trains when it ran services through to Watford Junction. |
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03 Wiggenhall Road entrance to Croxley Green depot. The overbridge directly linking Bushey from Croxley was still in situ if the road sign is to be believed.
Croxley Green Branch (L&NWR) |
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| Excellent photoes I used to work at the depot in 1970 and they brought back a lot of happy memories without people like yourself there would have been no recorded history of CG depot congratulations. |
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24. We shall now start our trip at Watford Junction. 501156 and 168 stand with a football special bound for the Stadium. This was the last weekend the 501s saw passenger use.
Croxley Green Branch (L&NWR) |
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| Suitably misty as history absorbs yet another icon... |
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00 We shall begin with a visit to Croxley Green Depot, which was in fact located in Watford! In happier days a number of 501 units gather at their home shed one Saturday in 1985. This photo: Copyright Stephen Holland.
Croxley Green Branch (L&NWR) |
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| I worked there as an electrician in 1970, I came down from Glasgow along with a mate called Colin Sproul was friendly with a local guy who also worked in the sheds, his name was Fred Aldridge can anybody out there know anything of his wherabouts? |
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74. The end. 313022 waits to depart Croxley Green on the last day of regular services - 18 January 1991. The service would be reduced to a handful of inconvenietly timed trains - a classic example of the so called British Rail 'closure by stealth' technique.
Croxley Green Branch (L&NWR) |
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| 30 years earlier it was the "Beeching Axe"... |
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Leicester Central. Platform remains, looking up.
Great Central Railway London Extension |
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| the picture of the remaining piece of leicester central platform
does it exist today
if it does i wonder why the demolition gangs left it in 1971
john |
| [#8860430] |
2009-09-19 13:08:54 |
Left by Christopher Grouse (#1158025) |
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| Yes this does still exist, it's the part of the main Down platform that was over the original location of the Roman pavement found during construction, which is why it wasn't demolished, as the Roman pavement was still in situ in the 1970's |
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010. Nature reclaims the trackbed in a shallow cutting south of Showsley Grounds. This view is looking towards Towcester.
Stratford-upon-Avon & Midland Junction Railway |
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| Excellent work! If you want to now more about the SMJ go to www.smj.me
Andy |
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015. A large Tesco store occupies the former Towcester station site. In the foreground out of site the A5 bisects the trackbed.
Stratford-upon-Avon & Midland Junction Railway |
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| My brother (local) and I (Devon)are very interested in learning more about the Towcester station site and wondered if anyone had mor info/photos |
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07. All roads were provided with an inspection pit which ran the length of the shed.
Croxley Green Branch (L&NWR) |
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| This must have been like visiting a Ghost Town". Could you feel the spirits of all who were there? (Animate and mechanical?) |
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02. The River Colne had to be bridged several times. This view is near Holywell looking towards Rickmansworth.
Rickmansworth Branch (L&NWR) |
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| I work on an industrial estate off tolpits and walk my dog allong the old trackbed. I recently noticed what looked like a sawn off telegraph pole. On further in vestigation I have now discoverd 30+ of these final remains of the railway between the canal crossing to after the road bridge by Camalot.
I will try and find the 2 gradient posts and see if they still exist, but not sure of there location, I only have 30mins at lunch time so a bit limited on distance but if you could indicate approx position. Excellent peice of preserved history. Are there any pictures of when the track was still in use?
I look forwar dto hearing from you
Mark
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79. Two excess style tickets.
Croxley Green Branch (L&NWR) |
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| What a wonderful reminisence or hark back over the years. What a fascinating journy. Where has all the time gone? |
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053 A roadside view of bridge number 11. Hidden under the foliage is a 50's style bridge height restriction warning.
Hatfield-Dunstable-Leighton Buzzard |
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| 053 is a lovely shot, great subject ! Pete J. |
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Boughton Level Crossing viewed from the then A50 trunk road. The rails had still been in situ across the road, on an earlier occasion when I had passed this way. However when I returned with my camera, road resurfacing work had been carried out, and the track removed.
Odds and Sods Disused Lines |
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| I remember this line in the late 70's, double tracked but even then, hardly used.
The whole line has now been made into a cyclepath with some very interesting spooky tunnels once used on this line at Kelmarsh and Great Oxendon which are fully accessible. |
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Wolfs Castle Halt on the former Great Western line to Fishguard Harbour. No buildings remain here, but the platform remains appear in sound condition despite the encroaching foliage. This section of line is single track, this photo was taken from the summer dated loco-hauled train that ran during the summer of 2006 between Cardiff and Fishguard Harbour.
Closed Stations on Open Lines |
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| It's early here in San Diego and I erroneously rated this photo a 1 instead of a 10 .
I assumed I was clicking forward to the next picture !
Have fond memories of the HWest to Fishguard rail line having lived nearby in Treffgarne for most of my chilhood.
Used to play in the disused signal box near Treffgarne Quarry - all the levers and equipment were intact along with records.
My mother as a pupil would stop the train with hand signals on her route to Taskers Girls School in Haverfordwest.
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Verney Junction, the line is now 'mothballed', not closed . This view looking east is from the former Bletchley bound platform - now trackless. The former junction site where the Metropolitan Railways lines swept in from the right is unrecognisable.
Closed Stations on Open Lines |
| [#8814886] |
2009-03-16 23:01:27 |
Left by Alun Evans (#1207297) |
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| Are there plans to reopen this railway to passengers? I'm sure I've heard this recently.
Regards,
Alun |
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Battersby looking towards the disused section which branched off out of view, to serve Rosedale and stations to Picton.
Odds and Sods Disused Lines |
| [#8761144] |
2008-08-01 12:59:02 |
Left by chris green (#1172379) |
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| was here few weeks ago.track all relaid ,upgrade as far as buffers further around corner in distance .in connection with trains from north york moors railway on gala days |
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080 The former station at Stanbridgeford. The platform can be seen in the distance on the left. The former station was a private residence at the time of my visit.
Hatfield-Dunstable-Leighton Buzzard |
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| Liked your photos, you know your subject. It would be good if you could show us a map, indicating where we are, in camera terms. Also you're a bit short of pics of t'Leighton Buzzard end. And where IS Stanbridgeford . |
| [#8843233] |
2009-07-10 22:47:43 |
Left by Karl Brack (#1230832) |
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| Great work, have walked most of this lovely line from a rail enthusiasts point of veiw and you have captured it beatifully. Just wish I had a time machine. Do you know if there is any footplate cini film available of this line. I have some video of Bute street station and Dunstable north, but nothing of the other end. Thanks for the site, Karl. |
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23c Another view looking towards Croxley Green Junction from nearer Colne Junction. The vegetation was cleared in the summer for no apparent reason. Mind you, it does help to provide a clearer view of the old formation!
Croxley Green Branch (L&NWR) |
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| The vegetation was cleared to take soill samples in preparation for the earthworks to be removed. The alignment will form part of a new rioad that will link with the A4008 Gyratory near bushes Arches (B&Q) with Watford Footbakll Club and a rebuilt Watford General Hospital. As a result the former shed site and Power station site will be redeveloped as a health industries based industrial park that will compliment the new hospital. |
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| That clears that up then! Thanks for that information Andrew. Just out of interest, will the Croxley Green branch formation that has recently fallen into disuse be threatened by the proposed road works? |
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03a Nearly 20 years on from the last picture. Only the BR access drop kerb can be seen on the left of the photo, all the buildings have been swept away.
Croxley Green Branch (L&NWR) |
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| Heart-breaking, but I guess "progress" moves on... |
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36 Beyond Smallford, the landscape is rural in appearance, although never to far from the Hatfield Road. Looking towards Nast Hyde Halt................. more photos to follow soon as we approach the outskirts of Hatfield
St Albans Abbey - Hatfield (GNR) |
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| Hi
These are fascinating, pictures. I did not realise that there had ever been anything further on from St Albans on the Abbey line.
I was interested to find this site because I am about to start building a model Railway layout and as I work on the new Hatfield Business park and live in Apsley I had thought that I might base it on the “what if” scenario of the abbey line extending east towards the Hatfield business Park. Where 56’s and 66s could bring containers right up to the doors of a “well known importer of things from Finland”! And the 321s bring people to work each day.
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27 No traces remain of the old siding that served the hospital. Perhaps a clue to where it once ran is a gap in the thirties style housing on the left. This area may have once held sidings to sort wagons - does anyone have more information? If so please leave a comment.
St Albans Abbey - Hatfield (GNR) |
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| St Albans to Hatfield line.
I live within a few yards and somewhere in my "library" I might have some more info about Hill End sidings
Please let me have your email address so that I don't forget.
John |
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| To contact me, use the 'leave a message' facility on the bottom left corner of the main 'lostlines' web page.
Thanks
Dave |
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| I was very interested in the series of photos You posted of This old Line as boy I lived in Dellfields and our House now demolished had a garden which backed on to the opposite bank to what you call "Savation Army Halt"and I lived there from the time I was 2 Yrs old until joining the forces at 17 and have many memories of what this line was like and also with some mates used to ride the train into hatfield Stn for 4p return payable to the guard from the halt Someday I will write them out There are a few errors written about this line as to what it carried and its carrying potential and track ways
were The biggest engine ever allowed down this line
was the N type tank because the curve round to enter hatfield st was so sharp and I canrecall seeing during the war yrs a troop train that consisted of a fair numberof coaches and flat wagons needing four of these tank engines to get the train up the climb from the Abbey St "London Rd " to the bridge at Camp Rd and over and many,many times the loads from this Stn to Hatfield have almost beaten the Loco
That a portion has been detached and put into the Siding that supplied Sanders Royal Orchid Growers
then the rest pulled up as far as possible then re coupled and then drawn over the Bridge
My Youger Brother was Gatekeeper, station master,
Ticket Collector and Shunter at Hill End Station for a while before it closed and an uncle was Boiler master at Hill End Hosp During the war Years and
overesaw the marshalling of the coal supplies for Hill End Hospital one day I may sit and write about this Line and the years that I and many other then Young Lads spent around that area |
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30 Heath Park Halt opened in 1905 and closed to passengers in 1947. During the new town development of Hemel Hempstead in the sixties, Kodak built their adminstrative offices on the site. Today the offices are disused and hopefully this eyesore will shortly be demolished!
Harpenden-Hemel Hempstead (Midland Railway) |
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| Not quite correct; the Kodak building was built on
the actual embankment, or very close to it; not on the site of Heath Park Halt.
This station was directly opposite, what was then Heath Park Hotel. Can remember climbing the wooden steps when I was a boy. |
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| Unfortunately the former Kodak will not be demolished as the building is shortly due to be converted into flats and there will be more albeit shorter buildings with flats added to the former Kodak site. |
| [#8803391] |
2009-01-29 17:13:09 |
Left by Paula Butterwick (#0) |
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| Sadly the Kodak building is staying and being made into plush flats with its own sustainble shops and services |
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Low Gill. The former LNWR branch is carried over Beck Foot just south of Low Gill on an impressive viaduct which survives today.
Odds and Sods Disused Lines |
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| I must have missed you here by a few days! After years of looking at low gill viaduct from the m6 i came off the motorway, found the viaduct and walked accross it. I was there in early March. Good view from it too! |
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Castlethorpe. Closed in September 1964, the down fast platform seen here with a Birmingham bound express hurrying past. Thanks to Richard Ashby for pointing out that the 'white line' is almost certainly cable troughing, and not a painted line as I originally thought!
Closed Stations on Open Lines |
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| Surely this isn't a white line but a new section of cable trough? |
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Tebay station site in 2007 viewed from a train in the down loop on the WCML. The branch to Kirkby Stephen (closed in 1952) veered away to the right in the distance, Tebay station itself closed in 1968.
Closed Stations on Open Lines |
| [#8772957] |
2008-09-23 11:31:17 |
Left by Dave Harries (#1019923) |
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| I had seen this photo of the Tebay station site on the 'Disused Stations' site and was wondering how it had been obtained. The fact that you got it from a train is interesting.
The only thing, however, is why does the track that the train was presumably on look off-centre? Did you point the camera out of the window of something? I ain't accusing you of doing anything illegal to geet the shot but I am just curious.
Dave |
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| It was an ECS move of loco-hauled stock, the train was put into the loop for operational reasons. As you know the gangway door windows are generally filthy so the photo was taken by pointing the camera out the drop-light. There was plenty of clearance between the loop and the down line as evidenced by the OLE masts. |
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45 Hatfield. Trains sweep past on the ECML every few minutes and to the passengers the former junction site for St Albans Abbey is but a blur. I wonder how many travellers realise just how much our local railways were decimated in the 1960s?
St Albans Abbey - Hatfield (GNR) |
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| love the site. couldn't stop looking at my local lost branch lines and thinking how transport could have been if it weren't for Dr Beeching. |
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| A brilliant set of photos of a lost line. |
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