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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Anchor Pit Abutment

 Anchor Pit was once the site of a railway junction near Brighouse, West Yorkshire. It is where the Pickle Bridge line split from the Calder Valley Main line in the direction of Bradford until closure in 1952. Some of the lines structures remain to the north of the River Calder in the direction of Wyke, but to the south of the river not much evidence remains that their was once a railway junction here, except the remains of what was once part of the crossing over the the valley. This abutment pictured being the only remains.

I took these pictures on the 27th May 2023 with aNikon d3300 camera.

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A Snicket In Brighouse

 Inspired by Bill Brandt's "A Snicket in Halifax", these 2 pictures show a similar stair climb in nearby Brighouse. Taken whilst walking the canal's from Huddersfield to Brighouse this set of steps is found near the former Anchor Pit Railway Junction at the end of Birds Royd Lane - Woodhouse Lane.

I took these 2 pictures on the 27th May 2023 with a Nikon d3300, they can also be seen full resolution and un-watermarked on Clickasnap.

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A few Water Shots From Brighouse. March 2019

 These pictures taken in March 2019 show various water based images taken around the Brighouse area. They were just randomly taken whilst out for a walk.

There are a total of 7 pictures which can be seen below and on Clickasnap full size, resolution and un-watermarked.

The Calder & Hebble Navigation towards Ganny Foot Lock

The Calder & Hebble Navigation at Brookfoot bend.

Brookfoot Lock on the Calder & Hebble Navigation.

The M62 Motorway over the Calder & Hebble Navigation at Brighouse.

Calder & Hebble at Cromwell Bottom.

The junction of the Calder & Hebble Navigation and River Calder at Brighouse.

The River Calder at Brighouse.

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Artworks of Calderdale

 The following are a collection of digital artworks I created based on photograph's I took in 2013 of various well known places of interest in Calderdale. They can also be seen on Clickasnap, where copies can also be purchased or just view if you require.

Todmorden Town Hall.

Hebden Bridge Railway Station

Stoodley Pike Monument

Halifax Railway Station

St Mary's Church Clocktower, Luddenden.

Todmorden Unitarian Church

Ruins of the Church of Thomas a' Becket, Heptonstall

Copley Toll House

Brighouse Library and Smith Art Gallery

Piece Hall before refurbishment

Old Bridge Over Hebden Water, Hebden Bridge

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Brighouse Library & The Smith Art Gallery.

Originally built as the Rydings in 1841 for miller John Brooke the buildings were bought by the town of Brighouse in 1897 and converted to the Brighouse Library. The grounds were converted in to a public park, indeed the first public park in Brighouse by Charles Kershaw in 1898.

The Smith Art Gallery was opened in May 1907, and named after William Smith a local mill owner who paid for the construction and much of the art featured in the gallery. It was opened by Princess Louise who was the first member of the royal family to visit Brighouse.

There are 2 galleries having originally had 4. The front gallery features an exhibition of oil paintings including works by John Atkinson Grimshaw, a Victorian era artist from Leeds, Marcus Stone an English painter from London and member of the Royal Academy, and Thomas Sydney Cooper, a landscape artist from Canterbury. 

The rear gallery host a constantly changing display, from local artists, touring exhibitions, photography and sculptures.

The pictures were taken on the 14 December 2013 using a Samsung Galaxy Tablet. Clicking any image should open a link in another window to the Clickasnap version of the image.

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Lost Lines and Echoes of Steam: A Journey Through Calderdale's Railway Heritage

Calderdale, with its dramatic valleys and industrial past, was once a thriving hub of railway activity. Today, I'm excited to share a project that sheds light on this rich history: a short YouTube video slideshow titled "Railway Stations of Calderdale."

This isn't just any slideshow; it's a comprehensive visual journey featuring public domain pictures of nearly every single railway station that has ever served an area of Calderdale. From grand Victorian structures to humble halts, this collection paints a vivid picture of a rail network that once crisscrossed our region.

What's even more remarkable is the sheer scope of this project. Out of all the stations that existed, there were only four that I couldn't track down a public domain image for: Brighouse Clifton Road, Halifax Shaw Syke, Rochdale Road Halt (Stainland Branch), and West Vale Station. For every other station, I managed to find at least one photograph, and crucially, the video also includes a current picture of every station that remains open today. To help you trace their stories, opening and closing dates are included with each image, alongside the estimated re-opening date for Elland, which is currently projected for 2022.

A Heritage Lost, and a Future Imagined

Watching this slideshow is a bittersweet experience. It starkly highlights the magnificent railway heritage that, sadly, we largely 'chucked away' in this area. Of all the closed stations, only Elland and potentially Hipperholme stand a chance of ever seeing trains again.

Imagine the possibilities if we had 'land banked' those closed lines and stations. We could have been looking at a revived Queensbury Lines, with Holmfield or Ovenden Stations providing an invaluable extra route to the north via Keighley. The Pickle Bridge line, with its Baliff Bridge or Clifton Road Stations, could have offered much-needed extra capacity on the route between Huddersfield and Bradford. Think of the impact on road congestion if we had added extra stations at Luddendenfoot, Cornholme, or Portsmouth (Lancs), or at Norwood Green or Lightcliffe.

This video isn't just a nostalgic trip; it's a poignant reminder of what was and a prompt to consider what could have been. It underscores the importance of preserving our infrastructure and planning for the future.

Take a moment to explore Calderdale's railway past – you might be surprised by what you discover!

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Unveiling Calderdale's Railway Legacy: A New Photo Slideshow

I'm excited to share my latest YouTube creation, "Train Stations of the Calder Valley" – a new slideshow that takes you on a photographic tour of every active railway station in Calderdale. This collection features images I've taken since 2013, offering a contemporary look at these historic transport links.

The Calder Valley's railway network has played a crucial role in shaping our region, and these stations are living testaments to that rich history. From their original opening dates to significant redevelopments, each station tells a unique story.

In the video, you'll find these iconic stations:

• Brighouse Railway Station: First opened in 1840, it experienced a temporary closure in 1970 before being reopened in 2000, highlighting its continued importance.
• Halifax Railway Station: Established in 1844, its current more convenient location was adopted in 1855.
• Hebden Bridge Railway Station: A true survivor, it has been serving passengers continuously since 1840.
• Mytholmroyd Railway Station: Opened in 1841 and has seen significant changes, with rebuilds in 1871 and the 1980s adapting it for modern use.
• Sowerby Bridge Railway Station: Operating since 1840, its present layout was established in 1876 to improve efficiency.
• Todmorden Railway Station: A constant presence on the line since 1841.
• Walsden Railway Station: Initially opened in 1845, it closed in 1961 but was thankfully reopened in 1990, reconnecting the community.

Ready to explore? Watch "Train Stations of the Calder Valley" now!

Looking ahead, the Calder Valley's rail network is on track for exciting expansion! I'm particularly keen to feature Elland Station when it reopens in 2022, and there's also the promising prospect of Hipperholme Station and Cornholme (Portsmouth) Station potentially coming back into service. These developments would truly enhance local connectivity.

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A Photographic Journey Through Brighouse Railway Station (August 2018)

August 2018. A simple date, a snapshot in time, captured by my trusty Nikon D3300. But within those digital frames lies a story, a whisper of history echoing through the platforms of Brighouse Railway Station. It's a story of change, resilience, and the enduring spirit of rail travel.

Brighouse Railway Station, seemingly just another stop on the line, holds a past far richer than its modern facade might suggest. Did you know it first opened its doors – or rather, its platforms – on the 5th of October 1840? Back then, it was known as "Brighouse and Bradford." A curious name, considering trains couldn't even reach Bradford directly until 1854 when the Halifax line was completed! It also bore the moniker "Brighouse for Rastrick," hinting at its role as a key transport hub for the surrounding areas.

Imagine the scenes: the billowing steam, the rhythmic chugging of locomotives, the bustle of Victorian passengers. It's a stark contrast to the sleek, modern trains that glide through today. However, progress, as it often does, brought change. The original station, a relic of a bygone era, was sadly closed on the 3rd of January 1970. A final, poignant farewell as the 6:53 PM London King's Cross to Bradford service passed through, marking its demise.

And then, silence. The station, a vital artery of the town, was gone, demolished, its history seemingly erased. But the story doesn't end there. Like a phoenix from the ashes, Brighouse Railway Station was reborn, reopening on the 29th of May 2000, at its original location. A testament to the community's desire to reconnect with its past and embrace the future.

However, the tale of Brighouse isn't complete without a mention of its neighbour, Elland. Originally slated to reopen its own station alongside Brighouse, Elland's revival has been a saga of delays. The projected 2022 opening, with a £22 million price tag, highlights the challenges of modern infrastructure projects. "Only 22 years late," you can't help but chuckle, a wry nod to the famed (or infamous) efficiency of old British Rail. "We may be late, but we get there eventually," a sentiment that resonates with the slow, steady rhythm of railway progress.

These photographs, captured on a warm August day, are more than just images. They're a portal to the past, a reminder of the enduring legacy of rail travel. They speak of the generations who passed through these platforms, of the stories etched into the very fabric of the station.

So, the next time you find yourself at Brighouse Railway Station, take a moment to appreciate its history. Listen for the echoes of steam, imagine the bustling crowds, and remember the resilience of a community that brought its station back to life. And perhaps, spare a thought for Elland, patiently waiting for its turn to join the story.

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Thanks for looking, please take a moment to share and follow me on social media, and check out my portfolio's on Photo4Me and Clickasnap via the links below.

All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.