Colin Green Photography: Engineering

Sunday, 30 October 2022

The Rochdale Canal from Lock 2 to Bridge 1A

On Sunday, April 10, 2022, I took a walk along a fascinating section of the Rochdale Canal in Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire. This stretch, running from Lock 2 to Bridge 1A, is a remarkable example of industrial heritage and engineering. It's an interesting walk, full of history and some unique features that really tell the story of this once-vital waterway.

The Start of the Journey: Lock 2 and Christ Church

I began my walk at Lock 2. From here, you can look back along the canal, with the old warehouse buildings casting a long shadow on the still water. . This spot gives you a real sense of the canal's scale and its importance to the local industry. Looking the other way, the canal gently curves towards Sowerby Bridge, and in the distance, you can see the distinctive clock tower of Christ Church, Sowerby Bridge. . The church stands as a prominent landmark, watching over the canal.

Tuel Lane Lock and the Tunnel

The most dramatic part of this walk is undoubtedly the approach to and passage through Tuel Lane Lock and Tuel Lane Tunnel. The lock itself is an impressive sight, a huge, deep chamber that is actually the deepest canal lock in the UK, at 20 feet (6.1 meters). . This immense depth was achieved by combining two old locks into a single one during restoration. The sheer scale of it is astonishing, and you can see the sturdy wooden gates and the intricate brickwork up close. .

The canal then disappears into the darkness of the Tuel Lane Tunnel. . Unlike most canal tunnels, which are long and go through hills, this one is quite short. It was built to bypass a road and a busy junction when the canal was reopened. It's a surreal experience to see the water simply vanish into the hillside, only to re-emerge a short distance away.

The Final Stretch

As you walk alongside the lock and beyond the tunnel, the path continues towards Bridge 1A. This area is quite tranquil, a peaceful waterside path with the old buildings and greenery of Sowerby Bridge visible on either side. You can still see the last remaining bits of old infrastructure from the canal's working days, and it’s a great way to appreciate the town’s rich past.

This short but sweet section of the Rochdale Canal is a must-see for anyone interested in industrial history or a pleasant canal side walk. The combination of historic buildings, clever engineering, and serene scenery makes for a perfect Sunday stroll.

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The original Wharf Street bridge can just be seen inside the tunnel.

The former Jolly Sailor Pub (closed 1939). The Building was once the caretakers residence
for Lock Hill Mills. The part of the mill that stood alongside was demolished
in the late 1990's, the red brick part of Lock Hill Mills still stands on the southern bank
of the River Calder. The Jolly Sailor is now a set of apartments.

The canal pictured from Wharf Street in the direction of Lock 2. The building to the left
is the Roxy a local nightspot thats started life as the Electric Cinema around the time
of World War 1. The cinema closed in 1963 and became a bingo and cafe, before eventually
becoming a nightclub - bar.

A view of Tuel Lane Lock and Christ Church Tower. I was just trying to get a different angle
of the lock and down in to the tunnel, taken from the LIDL supermarket car park.

Tuel Lane Tunnel entrance in to the lock.

Tuel Lane Lock, which is lock 3/4 on the Rochdale Canal replaced 2 locks on this
section of canal, lock 4 would have been just behind where I am stood, lock 3 was on the bend inside
the tunnel just in front of the church tower. These were infilled along with this section of canal after
closure in 1952. This was a car park with a disused theatre to my right when I was growing up

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Friday, 10 June 2022

Unearthing Birmingham's Industrial Past at Northwood Street

I recently came across a photograph I took in January 2014 that sparked my curiosity. It's a close-up of a plaque on a building at 125 Northwood Street, Birmingham, a site I was visiting to deal with an engineering company called AE Harris & Company. The plaques were fascinating, and they led me down a rabbit hole of local industrial history.

The Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company

The top plaque, a large cast-iron oval, boldly declares "THE BIRMINGHAM RY CARRIAGE & WAGON Co LIMITED OWNERS & BUILDERS." This company, established in 1854, was a titan of industry. While their name suggests a focus on rail stock, they were incredibly versatile, producing a vast range of vehicles from buses and trolleybuses to airplanes and gliders. During World War II, they were a crucial part of the war effort, building military vehicles like the A10 Cruiser Tank, the Churchill Tank, the Challenger Tank, and the Valentine Tank. The number "30855" on the plaque likely refers to a specific piece of equipment or a building on the site, a serial number of sorts from a bygone era of manufacturing.

A Tale of Transformation

The company's story took a turn in the 1960s. As the demand for new rail stock declined, the company restructured in 1963, transforming from a manufacturer into a real estate and finance company. This shift highlights the adaptability of businesses in the face of changing markets.

The bottom, smaller plaque provides more context, commemorating the opening of a factory for AE Harris & Company at the site in April 1978. As of June 2022, it seems AE Harris no longer occupies the site, and a quick look at Google Maps reveals that a large portion of the property has been cleared for redevelopment.

In an interesting twist of fate, the company's legacy was revived. In June 2014, The Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company reformed as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to rebuilding locomotives from the 1960s and earlier, breathing new life into a part of Britain's rail history. It's a testament to the enduring passion for industrial heritage.