A Journey Through Time: Mytholmroyd Railway Station

 On the last day of 2018, with my Nikon D3300 in hand, I took a stroll around Mytholmroyd, a village nestled in the heart of the Calder Valley. My destination was the railway station, a place that, like many others in this industrial landscape, holds a wealth of history and a quiet dignity. The photos I captured on that day tell a story of a place in transition—a past of industrial grandeur giving way to a new future.

The Old Station Building: A Glimpse into the Past

The most striking feature of the station is the original building. This Grade II listed building, with its rugged sandstone and classical lines, stands as a testament to the Victorian era of railway expansion. Opened in 1871 by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, it was once the bustling hub of the community, complete with a booking hall, stationmaster's house, and waiting rooms. For many years, however, it sat derelict and boarded up, a sad sight for a building of such importance.

What the photos don't fully capture is the incredible story of its revival. After decades of neglect, a dedicated group of local volunteers, the Mytholmroyd Station Partnership, began a long-running project to bring it back to life. Their work, supported by grants from organizations like the Railway Heritage Trust and Northern, aims to transform the building into a creative community hub, breathing new purpose into this historic landmark.

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The Viaduct and the Modern Station

The station is uniquely situated atop a magnificent viaduct, a feat of 19th-century engineering. The viaduct itself was built by George Stephenson and dates back to 1840, making it even older than the station building it now supports. From the street below, the imposing stone arches give a sense of the scale and ambition of the railway age.

While the old building was awaiting its new lease on life, the modern station was already serving the community. With two platforms, it's a vital part of the Calder Valley Line, connecting the village to major cities like Leeds and Manchester. The station is known for having step-free access to its platforms, a rare and helpful feature for a station built on a viaduct. The contrast between the old, unused entrance and the bustling modern platforms tells the story of a place that, despite its challenges, remains a crucial link for the people of Mytholmroyd.

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A Winter Ascent to Stoodley Pike

Towering over the Calder Valley, Stoodley Pike is more than just a hill overlooking the town of Todmorden, West Yorkshire. It's a monument, a beacon, a challenge, and a gateway to breathtaking panoramas. I recently embarked on my own Stoodley Pike adventure, and let me tell you, it was an experience of stunning vistas.

There are several routes to the summit, each offering its own unique charm. I opted for the Shaw Wood Road trail, starting from the A646 Burnley Road. The trail leaves Burnley Road almost immediately, crossing over the Rochdale Canal alongside Lock No. 15 Shawplains. The road winds through woodlands before reaching a housing estate at Lee Bottom Road, which runs eastward, offering glimpses of the imposing Pike as you ascend. The road steadily gains elevation, so be prepared for a good workout.

After conquering the final incline, the reward arrives. The 39-step spiral staircase beckons, leading you up another 40 feet to the balcony of the monument. A torch is highly recommended, as the narrow passage is often plunged in darkness, despite a grill that is meant to offer a light source.

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Views for Days

The views from the top are nothing short of magnificent. The hill, at a height of 1,300 feet, shows rolling fields in every direction, dotted with villages, reservoirs, and the distant Pennine peaks. On a clear day, you can even see Manchester and the Irish Sea! Take a deep breath, soak it all in, and let the sense of accomplishment wash over you.

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A Monument to History

Stoodley Pike is steeped in history, dating back to the Iron Age. Explore the monument's intriguing inscriptions and weathered stones, which whisper tales of the past. The original monument was built to commemorate the Napoleonic Wars and then rebuilt to remember the Crimean War.

Above the north-facing door, a faded inscription tells the story of the monument's creation and dramatic rebuilding:

STOODLEY PIKE A BEACON MONUMENT ERECTED BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION COMMENCED IN 1814 TO COMMEMORATE THE SURRENDER OF PARIS TO THE ALLIES AND FINISHED AFTER THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO WHEN PEACE WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1815. BY A STRANGE COINCIDENCE THE PIKE FELL ON THE DAY THE RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR LEFT LONDON BEFORE THE DECLARATION OF WAR WITH RUSSIA IN 1854. WAS REBUILT WHEN PEACE WAS RESTORED IN 1856. RESTORED AND LIGHTNING CONDUCTOR FIXED IN 1889.

This adventure to Stoodley Pike was a chilly one, but the light dusting of snow made the landscape even more beautiful. These pictures were taken on November 19, 2016, and really capture the unique atmosphere of the hike. It's a journey I won't soon forget.

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The path up to Stoodley Pike, the monument visible at the summit.

I think the snow clinging to the side of the structure gives the monument a completely different feel to its usual look.

The Calder Valley and beyond towards Lancashire, taken from the base of the monument.

Looking west away from the monument, I have always liked this picture as it's gives the impression the clouds will shortly fall over the edge of the hill.

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Mytholmroyd Railway Station

Some places hold stories in their very foundations. Mytholmroyd Railway Station is one of those places. My trip here on a crisp day in October 2013 with my Samsung Galaxy Tablet wasn't just about taking pictures; it was about capturing a moment in the long and fascinating history of this station.

The Ghosts of Stations Past

The station you see today is a far cry from its original form. Opened in May 1847 by the Manchester & Leeds Railway, it began with temporary buildings and platforms. It was only in December 1871 that new, more permanent structures were built, with platforms that actually overhung the impressive Mytholmroyd Viaduct. This is how the station remained for over a century, a busy and vital hub for the village.

The photos show what remains of that grand history. The old station building, now boarded up and closed, is a Grade II listed structure that stands as a silent sentinel to a different time. Its brickwork and arched windows speak of an era when train travel was a new and transformative experience. You can almost hear the steam hissing and the whistles blowing from decades ago.

Modern Day Commute

In the 1980s, the station underwent significant changes. Some of the original buildings were removed, and the station became an unstaffed stop. New platforms were built further down the line, and the old ones over the viaduct were taken away.

Today, Mytholmroyd Station is a functional, no-frills stop for commuters. My pictures show the platforms with their simple bus shelters and electronic ticket machines. There are no refreshment or toilet facilities—just the essential services needed for a quick journey. It's a stark contrast to the grand station it once was.

In 2020/21, the station served over 45,000 passengers, a number that dropped significantly from pre-pandemic levels. However, it still serves as a vital link for the community, connecting them to the wider Calder Valley and beyond.

More Than Just a Stop

Walking the ramp and stairs that lead to the platform, you can feel the layers of history. This station isn't just a place to catch a train; it's a living piece of local heritage. It shows how places adapt and change while still holding onto their past. It’s a testament to the community it serves and the enduring power of the railway.

I hope these images inspire you to look at your local railway station not just as a place of transit, but as a window into the past.

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Stepping Back in Time at Hebden Bridge Station: A Journey Through History and Connectivity

While passing through the vibrant town of Hebden Bridge recently, my feet, familiar with its cobbled streets and independent spirit, instinctively led me towards the railway station. More than just a transport hub, Hebden Bridge Station stands as a proud testament to the region's rich industrial heritage, a living museum where the echoes of steam engines and bustling crowds still seem to linger. On this particular occasion, time was fleeting, allowing me only to capture the essence of the westbound platform – a snapshot that nevertheless speaks volumes about this remarkable place.

To declare Hebden Bridge Station the "best looking" in Calderdale is perhaps subjective, yet its undeniable charm lies in the remarkable preservation of its original character. Stepping onto the platform is akin to stepping back in time. The sturdy stone architecture, the intricate ironwork, and the thoughtful touches that whisper tales of a bygone era all contribute to an atmosphere rarely found in modern transport interchanges.

The station's story began in October 1840, a pivotal moment that initially marked the westernmost reach of the burgeoning railway line. Imagine the anticipation of that time, the sense of connection as Hebden Bridge became a crucial link in the unfolding railway network. Just a few short months later, on New Year's Eve of that same year, the line extended further, piercing through the formidable Summit Tunnel towards Walsden. This engineering marvel paved the way for through services from Leeds to the industrial heartlands of Manchester, commencing in March 1841, with Hebden Bridge playing a vital role as a key stop along this transformative route. The subsequent arrival of services to Halifax and Bradford in 1852 further cemented the station's importance in connecting the communities of the Calder Valley.

The current station buildings, completed in 1893, stand as enduring monuments to Victorian engineering and architectural style. One can almost picture the flurry of activity within their walls as passengers, goods, and news flowed through this vital artery. It's fascinating to consider that the very ground now occupied by the station car park once echoed with the sounds of a bustling goods yard, a hub of commerce until 1966. This transformation from industry to modern transport underscores the evolving role of the station within the community.

A thoughtful nod to the past arrived during the 1997 renovations with the installation of signage in the distinctive colours of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway. This subtle yet significant detail serves as a constant reminder of the station's historical roots, a visual thread connecting the present with its proud railway heritage.

Today, Hebden Bridge Station remains a vital and well-maintained gateway. Manned by helpful staff, it offers essential amenities such as toilets and ticket facilities. The presence of a small café provides a welcome space for commuters and visitors alike to grab a coffee and soak in the station's atmosphere. Its convenient location, with bus access immediately outside the main entrance, further enhances its role as a key transport link.

While progress has brought improvements, challenges remain. Currently, disabled access is available to the Leeds-bound platform, but reaching Platform 1, serving trains towards Lancashire and Manchester, still requires navigating steps. However, there is a promising glimmer of progress on the horizon with plans to reinstate the long-dormant lifts between the platforms, a much-needed improvement that will enhance accessibility for all. These lifts, sadly out of use since the 1980s, represent a tangible opportunity to fully modernize the station while respecting its historical fabric.

In terms of connectivity, Hebden Bridge Station offers a robust service. From Platform 1, three trains depart hourly towards Manchester, connecting the town to the wider northwest region, alongside an additional hourly service to Preston. Platform 2 buzzes with even greater frequency, offering four Leeds-bound services each hour, providing connections to the vibrant city and beyond. Notably, these services offer different routes, with three traversing the bustling interchange of Bradford and another heading through the historic town of Dewsbury, offering a variety of travel options for passengers.

Captured on a sunny August afternoon in 2017 with my trusty Nikon D3300, the photograph I took offers a small window into the enduring appeal of Hebden Bridge Station. It's more than just bricks and mortar; it's a living link to the past, a vital artery for the present, and a place brimming with the quiet dignity of a station that has faithfully served its community for nearly two centuries. As I moved on, the image of the westbound platform remained with me, a reminder of the beauty and history that can be found in the most unexpected of places, waiting to be appreciated by those who take a moment to look closer.

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Cross Stone (St Pauls) Church, Todmorden.

The Calder Valley, a ribbon of green winding through the heart of West Yorkshire, holds its secrets close. Amongst its picturesque towns and alongside the tranquil flow of the Rochdale Canal, I'd often glimpsed a solitary silhouette perched high above Todmorden. This was Cross Stone Church, also known as St Paul's, a place that had long piqued my curiosity. Little did I know, the story held within its weathered stones was far more captivating than its distant view suggested.

Finally, on a crisp April day in 2017, armed with my trusty Nikon D3300, I made the climb. What I found wasn't a bustling place of worship, but a silent sentinel, a defunct church with a history etched into its very fabric. Built in 1832, St Paul's wasn't the first sacred space to grace this commanding spot. For centuries before, since at least 1450, earlier churches had stood watch over the valley, their stories now layered beneath the current structure like geological strata.

The year 1978 marked a poignant turning point. Declared unsafe, the church was abandoned, the ominous whisper of it "sliding down the hill" sealing its fate as a place of active worship. This sense of precariousness only added to the air of mystery that clung to the site.

But the history of Cross Stone Church extends beyond its structural woes. Imagine a time when Todmorden was a town divided, straddling the ancient border between Yorkshire and Lancashire. Perched on its hilltop, St Paul's served the spiritual needs of the Yorkshire community, while St Mary's catered to their Lancashire neighbours. The boundary changes of 1888 unified the town under the White Rose of Yorkshire, yet the legacy of this division lingers in the stories of these two churches.

As I wandered the grounds, the silence was broken only by the rustling of leaves and the distant murmur of the valley below. It was then that I noticed the curious details that hinted at the church's long and varied past. And then there were the lower walls, where a certain "spooky setting" did indeed prevail, the weathered stone hinting at tales untold.

Perhaps the most intriguing discovery was tucked away on the east wall: a set of ancient stocks, now embraced by the untamed beauty of a wild garden. These silent restraints spoke of a time when public punishment was a visible part of community life, a stark reminder of the social structures of centuries past. To see them now, softened by moss and surrounded by wildflowers, was a powerful juxtaposition of harsh history and gentle nature.

My long-awaited visit to Cross Stone Church wasn't the vibrant exploration of a living parish I had perhaps naively envisioned. Instead, it was a journey into the quiet dignity of a forgotten place, a poignant encounter with history etched in stone and whispered on the wind. It served as a powerful reminder that even in abandonment, places hold their stories, waiting for a curious eye and an open heart to listen. The view from the hilltop, overlooking Todmorden and the valley beyond, was breath taking, but the true beauty lay in the silent testament of Cross Stone Church, a steadfast landmark bearing witness to centuries of change.

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