Marsden Railway Station is a village stop on the Huddersfield - Manchester line to the east of the Standedge Tunnels. It is the last stop in West Yorkshire and is served by 3 platforms, platforms 1 and 2 are only reached by steps down from a nearby road bridge, and platform 3 to the south of the station which is accessed by crossing the Huddersfield Narrow Canal which runs alongside the platform. The line originally had 4 platforms with platform 2 being an island platform, this was reduced in the 1960's when the line was reduced to 2 lines instead of 4. The station was opened by the London & North Western Railway on the 1 August 1849 and was for a time facing closure along with others along this stretch of track during the late 1960's.
The current station is served by trains in the direction of Manchester and Leeds, and is a popular spot for people exploring the nearby Standedge Tunnels and Huddersfield Narrow Canal. It features limited facilities with no visible disabled access, no toilets, limited shelter on the platforms and minimal seating. In the last full year before the pandemic the station served 175,000 passengers at an average of approx 3365 per week, making it the 50th busiest in West Yorkshire.
This was the 2nd time I had visited the station, my plan on this occasion was to walk the Huddersfield Narrow Canal to Slaithwaite. I previously posted the pictures I took on my last visit to the station. These images featured below were taken on the 25 July 2020 with my Nikon d3300 SLR, there are a total of 12 which can also be seen on Clickasnap where they are full size, resolution and un-watermarked.
After what felt like an eternity of lockdown, the opportunity finally arose for a proper outing with my camera in hand. My destination? The picturesque village of Marsden in Huddersfield. The plan was simple enough: a short train ride from Slaithwaite to Marsden, followed by a leisurely stroll back along the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. But as often happens when exploring, a new, more intriguing path presented itself.
Just a stone's throw from Marsden Station lies the magnificent Standedge Tunnel, a true marvel of engineering. My initial goal was to capture a pristine shot of the tunnel entrances. Despite my best efforts, getting a clear, unobstructed view proved challenging. However, while scouting for a higher vantage point, I found myself captivated by the rhythmic rumble of approaching trains. It was then that I decided to shift my focus and capture these powerful machines as they prepared to plunge into the darkness of the tunnels.
Catching the Newcastle to Liverpool Service
One particular highlight was the 10:46 Newcastle to Liverpool Lime Street service. I managed to capture it at 12:47 as it gracefully crossed Bridge 61 over the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, just moments before disappearing into the tunnel. The train's unique identification number was N03709, and its headcode was 5341.
Equipment and The Experience
These shots were taken on July 25, 2020, with my trusty Nikon D3300 SLR. This outing wasn't just about getting great photos; it was also my very first proper trip out with my camera since the easing of COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions in the UK. The simple act of being out, exploring, and pursuing my passion felt incredibly liberating after months of confinement.
Clicking any image should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.
The following video was taken later in the day and features a number of trains exiting and entering the tunnel.
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