Pickle Bridge Railway 2014
The Pickle Bridge Railway was a line through the outskirts of Brighouse connecting Bradford with Huddersfield. The line opened in 1881 and remained in use until 1952, when it closed due to subsidence. The two stations along the route were closed many years before the line's full closure. There is quite a lot of evidence of the line between Clifton Road and Pickle Bridge, Wyke. Sadly, between Clifton Road and Anchor Pit, not much exists.
The line split from the Calder Valley Line at Pickle Bridge Junction, which was between the stations of Norwood Green (closed 1953) and Lightcliffe (closed 1965). It then crossed the 22 arch (now 8 arches; the northern 14 were demolished in 1987 due to subsidence) Wyke (Red Lion) viaduct before arriving at Baliff Bridge station (1881–1917). The line then carried on southwards over the still-standing 5-arch Thornhills Viaduct before crossing another now-demolished viaduct at Clifton. The three-arch Clifton viaduct immediately led to Clifton Road Station (1881–1931). Beyond Clifton Road, the line then crossed the A644 Wakefield Road and River Calder before joining the Caldervale Line at Anchor Pit Junction between Brighouse Station (1840–1970, closed and demolished 1970; reopened 2000) and Cooper Bridge Station (1840–1950).
I walked the route on two separate occasions, the first covering the former track layout from the site of Clifton Road Viaduct until I reached an abandoned railway bridge standing alone in the middle of a field between Thornhills Beck Viaduct and Birkhouse Road, Bailiff Bridge. This set was taken on March 30, 2014.
The remains of Clifton Road Viaduct, the station occupied a spot along the wall pictured with the dirt track to the left the main access road.
Former trackbed pictured between the remains of Clifton Road Viaduct and Thornhills Beck Viaduct.
The top of Thornhills Beck Viaduct, this was the southern side and was gated off as can be seen preventing access any further.
Thornhills Beck Viaduct, opened up I think it would make an interesting footpath - cycleway.
Another of Thornhills Beck Viaduct
These last 2 show an abandoned bridge in the middle of a low cutting in what seemed to have become a farmers field. Looking at the surrounding land and historic maps I can see no reason for it's existence as their were alternative crossings over the railway nearby in both directions.
The second set of pictures were taken on the 25th May 2014, starting at the bridge above they show the remains of the line up to the end of Red Lion (Wyke) Viaduct.
The Pickle Bridge line crossing over Birkhouse Lane, Bailiff Bridge
The line's remains at Bailiff Bridge, the town's former station used to occupy a spot to the right of the picture behind the trees.
All that remains of the bridge that crossed Lower Wyke Lane, Houses now occupy the former trackbed to the left of the picture.
The bridge that crossed over Bradford Road has been removed, leaving only the abutments as a reminder the railway passed here.
The Red Lion or Wyke Viaduct crossing over a small access lane off Bradford Road.
The top of Wyke - Red Lion Viaduct, I don't remeber climbing up to the top but I must have as the picture here proves I did. The end of the viaduct was probably just beyond the trees,
Wyke - Red Lion Viaduct. The crossing suffered badly from subsidence resulting in a much reduced speed limit during its years of operation. The situation was so bad that by the 1980's permission was sought to demolish part of the Grade II listed Viaduct.
This partially overgrown bridge stands to the northern end of the demolished part of Wyke - Red Lion Viaduct, I'm not sure if it was separate or part of that structure.
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