Standing Tall Over Copley: A Fresh Perspective on Copley Viaduct

 The industrial heritage of West Yorkshire is etched into its landscape through gritstone and mortar. Among these monuments of the Victorian era, few are as imposing yet graceful as the Copley Viaduct. On a crisp Sunday afternoon on the 8th of October 2017, I set out with my camera to capture this engineering marvel, not just as a landmark, but as a living part of the Calder Valley’s natural environment.

Most people see the viaduct from a distance or while passing over it on a train toward Halifax or Sowerby Bridge. My goal for this shoot was different: I wanted to get underneath its skin, exploring the varied angles and hidden paths that reveal the true scale of this 19th-century giant.

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Exploring the Calder and Hebble Navigation

My journey began along the water. The viaduct doesn't just span a valley; it leaps across the Calder and Hebble Navigation and the River Calder itself.

Standing on the towpath of the canal, the perspective is humbling. In one of the shots, looking directly up at the underside of an arch, you can see the intricate stonework and the weathered staining that tells a story of over 170 years of British weather. The reflection in the still canal water creates a perfect, dark symmetry, only broken by a few fallen autumn leaves—a gentle reminder of the October date.

The way the sunlight hits the gritstone highlights the "rock-faced" texture of the blocks. It’s a testament to the masons of the mid-1840s that these structures remain so formidable and functional today.

A Hidden Path Through History

Moving away from the water’s edge, I followed a narrow, walled path that leads toward the base of the structure. I chose to process one of these shots in a moody, high-contrast monochrome to emphasize the leading lines.

The dry-stone walls, so characteristic of Yorkshire, create a funnel that draws your eye directly toward the massive arches in the background. This "tunnel vision" effect highlights the contrast between the human scale of the walking path and the gargantuan scale of the railway infrastructure. There is something incredibly peaceful about these narrow corridors where nature is slowly reclaiming the edges of the stone.

The Arches in the Autumn Sun

As I moved into the more open areas, the full length of the Copley Viaduct revealed itself. With 23 arches in total, it dominates the skyline. On this particular October day, the sky was a perfect mix of bright blue and scudding white clouds, providing a dynamic backdrop that made the yellow-grey stone "pop."

From the grassy banks, you get a sense of the rhythm of the architecture. The repeating curves create a visual melody across the valley. I made sure to capture a wide-angle view from behind a low stone wall, letting the foreground wildflowers and overgrown brush frame the viaduct. It places the bridge within its ecosystem—it’s not just a cold piece of transit; it’s a permanent fixture that the trees and rivers have grown around.

Key Features of Copley Viaduct:

• Completed: Circa 1847 for the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway.

• Structure: 23 semi-circular arches.

• Material: Local gritstone with brick-lined arches.

• Purpose: Carrying the Manchester to Leeds line across the Calder Valley.

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Technical Angles and Texture

Getting close to the piers allows you to appreciate the sheer volume of material used. I found a great angle looking up through the foliage. The green leaves of the sycamores and oaks provide a soft, organic frame for the hard, geometric lines of the bridge.

One of my favorite shots from the day focuses on a single pier rising out of the River Calder. The water here moves a bit faster than the canal, and the base of the stone is smoothed by decades of flow. It’s a reminder that while we build these structures to be permanent, they are in a constant dialogue with the elements.

Why Copley is a Photographer’s Dream

Whether you are a professional or a hobbyist with a smartphone, Copley Viaduct offers endless composition opportunities:

1. Reflections: Use the canal for mirror-like symmetry.

2. Leading Lines: Use the towpath or the walled footpaths to create depth.

3. Nature Contrast: The juxtaposition of the heavy stone against the delicate autumn leaves.

4. Scale: Using the fences or nearby buildings to show just how high those arches reach.

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Final Thoughts

Capturing Copley Viaduct on that October day was a reminder of why I love architectural photography. It’s about more than just a "record" of a bridge; it’s about capturing the feeling of a place. The way the light shifted between the arches and the way the shadows played across the river made for a rewarding afternoon behind the lens.

If you find yourself in the Sowerby Bridge or Halifax area, I highly recommend taking the walk down to the valley floor. Don't just look at the viaduct—look through it, look up at it, and appreciate the monumental effort it took to bridge this gap over a century ago.

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All the images remain the copyright of Colin Green.

Autumn Day at Hewenden Viaduct

 On the 10th of October 2015, the air over West Yorkshire held that unmistakable autumn dampness— that softens the edges of the rugged landscape. On this particular day, equipped with a Polaroid iS2132, I set out to capture the intersection of Victorian industrial ambition and the enduring natural beauty of the area around Hewenden Viaduct and Reservoir.

The resulting images serve as a time capsule, not just of a date a decade ago, but of a monumental structure that has stood for nearly 150 years.

The Colossus of Cullingworth

Standing at the edge of the valley, the first thing that strikes you about Hewenden Viaduct is its sheer scale. It is a towering achievement of the Great Northern Railway, once part of the "Queensbury Lines" that connected Keighley, Bradford, and Halifax.

In the dull light of that October morning, the viaduct’s 17 arches stretched across the valley like the skeleton of a prehistoric giant. Using the Polaroid iS2132’s zoom allowed for a perspective that emphasizes the dramatic curve of the structure as it disappears into the treeline. The stone, weathered by over a century of Yorkshire rain, took on deep, moody tones in the overcast light, highlighting the precision of the Victorian stonemasons.

A Walk Through Industrial History

The beauty of Hewenden isn't just in the viaduct itself, but in how the surrounding landscape has reclaimed the industrial footprint. Following the path toward the structure, you encounter the quiet relics of a busier era:

• The Disused Railway Bridge: Near the main viaduct, a smaller stone arch bridge sits tucked away in the dense woodland. In October, the ground is a carpet of fallen leaves, and the bridge feels like a gateway into a forgotten world.

• The Old Metal Gate: An ornate, rusted metal gate set into a dry stone wall marks an old boundary, leading your eye down a leaf-strewn track that once likely served the railway or the nearby reservoir works.

• The Viaduct Deck: Standing atop the viaduct, the view is dizzying. The long, straight stretch of the former trackbed is now part of the Great Northern Railway Trail. In black and white, the perspective of the stone parapets underscores the isolation and the height of the crossing.

The Still Waters of Hewenden Reservoir

Adjacent to the towering arches lies Hewenden Reservoir, its surface like a dark mirror under the grey October sky. The relationship between the two structures is a masterclass in Victorian engineering—the massive embankment of the reservoir sitting in the shadow of the even more massive viaduct.

The photography from that day captures the reservoir's spillway and the intricate stone channels designed to manage the flow of water. From the height of the viaduct, the reservoir looks like a silver shard embedded in the vibrant green of the Yorkshire hills. Even late in the season, the fields remained a vivid emerald, contrasted by the first turning leaves of the surrounding oaks and beeches.

Capturing the Atmosphere with the Polaroid iS2132

The Polaroid iS2132, a bridge camera known for its impressive 21x optical zoom, was the perfect companion for this excursion. While it might not have the sensor size of a modern DSLR, its ability to compress the landscape allowed for striking compositions.

Choosing to render some scenes in high-contrast black and white or sepia tones helped to lean into the historical gravity of the site. The monochrome images of the viaduct arches emphasize the geometry and the play of light and shadow, stripping away the distraction of the green fields to focus on the raw stone. Meanwhile, the sepia shots of the wooded paths evoke a sense of nostalgia, as if the photos themselves were discovered in an attic from the era when steam still rattled across these heights.

A Legacy in Stone

Today, Hewenden Viaduct is a Grade II listed structure, protected for future generations. It no longer echoes with the thunder of coal trains or passenger carriages heading for Keighley; instead, it belongs to the walkers, cyclists, and photographers who come to marvel at its grace.

Visiting in October provides a unique mood. The "Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness" suits the viaduct perfectly. It is a place of quiet reflection, where the birdsong from the valley floor reaches you even at the height of the tallest arch, and the water of the reservoir laps gently against the stone.

Whether you are a local history buff or a photographer looking for the perfect leading line, Hewenden remains one of the most photogenic spots in the north of England. These images from 2015 are a reminder that while the seasons change and technology moves on, the grandeur of our industrial heritage remains a constant, immovable part of the horizon.

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The Salvage Archive: A 35mm Slide Journey Through Lost Lincolnshire Railways

I recently embarked on a fascinating journey through my personal collection of 35mm slides—a physical archive of railway history amassed over years. These tangible memories, often faded but always evocative, capture the rail network as it was, before digital dominance and modern rolling stock reshaped the landscape.

The four images I'm sharing today are particularly special, yet frustratingly vague. All that I know for certain is that they were captured somewhere in Lincolnshire. No dates, no specific locations, just stunning views of trains passing through the county's varied countryside and urban fringes.

Join me as we delve into these photographic mysteries, examining the rolling stock and scenery to try and piece together a story of a bygone era.

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The Trains of the Mystery Slides

The real clues to the era and atmosphere of these photographs lie with the trains themselves. By identifying the types and liveries, we can narrow down the potential time frame of these 'lost' railway scenes.

1. The Provincial Trio: Class 158 Express Sprinters

Three of the four slides feature the same type of train: a British Rail Class 158 Express Sprinter Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU).

Lincolnshire 1

Lincolnshire 2

These show a long-distance version of the Class 158 in what is likely the East Midlands Trains (EMT) or possibly Central Trains livery. This striking blue, gold, and white scheme was common across the mid-2000s and into the 2010s. The long train formations suggest a busy, inter-urban route, perhaps linking a major city like Lincoln or Grimsby with the Midlands or even London.

Lincolnshire 3

This unit, visible from the front with the identifying number 158 A07, appears to be in an earlier livery, often associated with the early days of privatisation (mid-to-late 1990s) or the later regional liveries like Central Trains or even a Regional Railways hybrid.

The Class 158s are the workhorses of regional express services. Their presence suggests we are looking at a line designed for relatively high-speed travel, passing through sweeping fields and open countryside, which is quintessential Lincolnshire.

2. The Iconic 'Pacer': A True Piece of Railway Heritage

The final slide, "Train Hull Bound Pacer," captures a piece of railway history that is now almost entirely gone from the mainline: the British Rail Class 144 Pacer.

Pacer 1

The 'Pacer' units (Classes 141-144) were designed as low-cost, short-term rolling stock in the 1980s, famously built using bus bodies mounted on freight bogies. This particular unit, identified as 144 009, is in the distinctive Northern Spirit or Northern Rail red and cream livery—a colour scheme that firmly places this photo in the late 1990s or early-to-mid 2000s.

The destination board clearly reads 'HULL'. Given that the photo was taken in the Lincolnshire area, this Pacer could be on a number of local routes, such as the line north from Doncaster, or perhaps running an intermittent service on the Grimsby/Cleethorpes to Hull route, having crossed the Humber.

This Pacer photo is a brilliant capture of a train that has since been retired, marking a pivotal moment in the UK's railway evolution.

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The Scenery: Where in Lincolnshire?

Lincolnshire is a county of incredible contrasts, and these photos reflect that perfectly. While we lack specific geographical markers, we can make some educated guesses about the kind of lines they depict.

The Inter-Urban Stretch

In the Pacer and one of the 158 photos, we see lines with multiple tracks (at least two pairs or a double-track and loops).

• Clue: The background of the Pacer image shows a prominent, solid-looking stone building and a distinct junction, suggesting a location near a former industrial area or a reasonably large town/city. The hilly backdrop is less common in the flatter central and eastern parts of the county, perhaps hinting at a line further west or north, closer to the Yorkshire border.

• Hypothesis: Could this be near Gainsborough Lea Road or a major junction on the line leading toward Doncaster or the Pennines?

The Rural Idyll

The other two Class 158 photos are textbook representations of the English countryside: rolling green hills, meticulously farmed fields, and isolated lineside cottages and signal boxes.

• Clue: The line appears to be single or double track, cutting through deep green foliage and a high horizon, suggesting an area well away from major settlements. The vibrant blue sky and rich green fields point to a beautiful summer's day.

• Hypothesis: This feels like the scenic route between Grimsby and Lincoln (The Wolds Line) or perhaps part of the East Coast Main Line (ECML) which technically skirts the western edge of Lincolnshire. The quiet, idyllic setting strongly suggests a secondary or rural main line. The lone, charming signalman's hut in "Train Lincolnshire 2" is a beautiful, classic railway feature now rarely seen.

The Cuttings and Signals

"Train Lincolnshire 3" shows the train entering or leaving a cutting, with prominent railway infrastructure:

• Clue: A footbridge, an overhead road bridge, and a tall, traditional four-aspect colour light signal post. This concentration of features suggests proximity to a major station, a junction, or a key civil engineering point on the line. The bare trees and muted colours suggest a late winter or early spring setting.

• Hypothesis: This could be a commuter belt area, perhaps approaching Newark, or a busy junction closer to Lincoln. The overhead bridges are classic features of lines being modernised for higher speed or capacity.

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The Magic of Analogue Film

Beyond the facts, what these slides really capture is a feeling. The rich colour saturation, the deep contrast between the blue sky and the yellow/red of the trains, and the distinct grain are all hallmarks of 35mm slide film (likely a colour reversal film like Kodak Ektachrome or Fujichrome).

These images are more than just records; they are windows into a specific period of railway history, preserved with the unique aesthetic of analogue photography. They challenge us to become railway detectives, using our knowledge of rolling stock and geography to solve the mystery of their origin.

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Revisiting Rawcliffe Railway Station: A Portrait of the Parliamentary Halt

 It's a curious experience to return to a place that exists primarily to stave off official non-existence. Just over a year after my first visit in August 2024, I found myself back at Rawcliffe Railway Station, near Goole, on November 10th, 2025. The station, a quintessential "parliamentary halt" on the Pontefract Line, is a poignant monument to the golden age of rail and a stark reminder of service decline.

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Autumn's Embrace at a Forgotten Halt

The images capture the station in the quiet, damp embrace of late autumn. The Victorian station building—a lovely piece of architecture from the line's opening in 1848 by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway—now stands as a private residence, its original purpose reduced to a charming backdrop for the single-track line.

The atmosphere is one of profound stillness, broken only by the sound of rustling leaves. The track bed and the single remaining operational platform are covered in a carpet of fallen leaves, making the 50 mph speed limit sign look almost redundant.

The Single Platform & The Single Line

Rawcliffe's decline began in the mid-1980s when the once-busy line to the inland port of Goole was singled between Hensall and Goole. This is immediately visible in the photographs:

• Platform Surface: The remaining platform is clearly delineated with the bright yellow safety line, slick with recent rain and strewn with brown, wet leaves. The contrast between the maintained, if leaf-strewn, area and the overgrown embankment on the far side is striking.

• The Former Platform: On the north side, the overgrown, disused platform wall is visible, a haunting outline of the former double-track line. This view truly underscores the station's history and downsizing.

These visual cues speak volumes about the station's status. It is unstaffed, with minimal facilities—just a basic waiting shelter and a timetable board. Tickets can only be bought in advance or on the train.

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The Parliamentary Paradox

Rawcliffe is famous—or perhaps infamous—for its minimal train service. It’s a classic example of a "parliamentary train" station, where just enough services are run (currently 3 per day, Monday to Saturday) to avoid the costly and lengthy formal closure proceedings. This residual timetable keeps the station 'open' and the route operational.

For rail enthusiasts, visiting Rawcliffe is a pilgrimage to one of the UK's least-used stations. In recent years, annual passenger usage has hovered in the low hundreds, making its grand Victorian architecture feel disproportionate to its modern utility. The irony of this situation is fascinating: the station exists not for the passengers it serves, but for the legal technicality it satisfies.

My return visit confirms that Rawcliffe remains a beautiful, melancholic place—a small piece of living railway history clinging on to its official status by the thinnest of timetables.

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All the images remain the copyright of Colin Green.

A Line of Iron and Grit: Tracing Part of the Halifax to Queensbury Railway

Back in May 2015, I spent a day walking the ghost lines of the Halifax to Queensbury Railway, a spectacular and demanding route that was part of the Great Northern Railway’s challenging "Queensbury Lines" network. This railway was born of Victorian ambition, forging a path through the steep Pennine terrain—a task so difficult it earned the nickname 'the Alpine route' or 'the switchback'.

The short section I explored, captured in these photos, run from the former site of North Bridge Railway Station up toward where the Woodside Viaduct once stood. These remnants of a mighty line, which closed to passengers in 1955 and completely in 1974, speak volumes about the engineering and industrial power of West Yorkshire.

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The Haunted Halt: North Bridge Station

My journey started at the site of North Bridge Station. Opened in 1880, it was built by the Halifax and Ovenden Junction Railway, jointly operated by the Great Northern Railway (GNR) and the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway (L&YR).

The station itself was a marvel of Victorian compromise. The line had to run beneath the newly rebuilt North Bridge, which was raised an impressive 11 feet to clear the tracks. The passenger facilities were apparently "cramped & gloomy," but the site was a major hub for goods, including a large yard that served the nearby gasworks. Today, the station buildings are long gone, replaced by a leisure centre and its car park.

The only prominent survivors are the iron footbridge that once spanned the platforms and the dark, imposing mouth of the Old Lane Tunnel.

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Tunnels and Tragedies: The Route North

Heading north from North Bridge, the line immediately plunged into engineering challenges. The nearby Woodside Viaduct was a six-arched structure that carried the line toward the Old Lane (Woodside) Tunnel and Lee Bank Tunnel. Tragically, the viaduct was later demolished to make room for the A629 road, the main road between Halifax and Keighley.

All that remains now is the impressive southern abutment , a powerful stone statement of where a massive structure once began.

Further on, the line passed through the Lee Bank Tunnel(sometimes referred to as Woodside Tunnel). It’s an incredibly atmospheric stretch, the stonework damp and mossy, a true forgotten path. The entire Queensbury Lines project was notoriously difficult and dangerous, leading to the local press dubbing them "the slaughtering lines" due to the casualties sustained during construction. Lee Bank Tunnel will feature in a later post.

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The Photography: A Splash of History

To capture the mood of this forgotten industrial heritage, I chose a specific editing style for these photos: selective colour removal.

I stripped almost all colour, rendering the stone, moss, and foliage in moody, evocative black and white. The only colour I allowed to remain was red . This choice was deliberate, a visual metaphor for a past that was dramatic and often difficult:

• The Grit and Rust: Red represents the rust of forgotten ironwork and the danger of the great works.

• The Warning: It highlights the warning signs of demolition and decay that now mark these historical sites .

• A Trail of Memory: It forces the eye to focus on the small, contemporary markers that dot the landscape, sharply contrasting the scale of the forgotten Victorian infrastructure with its quiet modern life.

Walking these overgrown tracks is a humbling experience. They are a physical reminder of the sheer human effort and engineering ambition that powered the industrial North, now slowly being reclaimed by nature.

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All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.

Huncoat: A Lancashire Railway Station with a Powerful Past

 In August 2022, I took a trip to the quaint village of Huncoat in Lancashire, camera in hand (my trusty Nikon D3300!) to capture the essence of its modest but historically significant railway station.

This seemingly quiet stop on the East Lancashire Line holds a fascinating past, closely linked to the region's industrial boom. It's more than just a place to catch a train; it's a window into the coal, brick, and power-generating industries that once dominated this area.

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The Historical Significance

Huncoat Railway Station, currently managed by Northern Trains, first opened its doors on September 18, 1848, as part of the East Lancashire Railway. Interestingly, the station you see today isn't the original location—it was relocated to its current site in 1902 by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway to better serve the growing local industries.

• Industrial Hub: The area around the station exploded with industry between the two World Wars. It served three local collieries (coal mines), two coke ovens, and the famous Accrington Nori Brick Works. This meant a vast network of mineral lines converged here, making Huncoat a vital freight hub.

• The Power Station Link: Perhaps the most imposing piece of local history was the massive Huncoat Power Station, constructed between 1950 and 1956 right next to the station. It relied on the railway for the massive amounts of coal it consumed. While the power station was decommissioned in 1984 and the site is now a nature walk, the sheer scale of the operation it once supported is impressive.

• A Railway Award Winner: In a testament to its freight importance, the station actually won a railway award just before the start of the Second World War for the sheer tonnage of freight it handled!

Capturing the Modern Halt

Today, the bustling freight yards are gone, and the grand old 1912 station buildings—which once housed a booking office, waiting rooms, and a parcels office—have been replaced with simple, modern shelters, marking its evolution into a quiet, unstaffed commuter halt.

Despite the modernisation, the station's character shines through, especially thanks to the community effort from the local group, 'Hands on Huncoat', who often add beautiful floral displays, breathing new life into the platforms.

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Your Journey on the East Lancashire Line

The station sits on the East Lancashire Line, connecting destinations in a convenient one-hour frequency (hourly on weekdays and Saturdays, two-hourly on Sundays).

• Westbound: Trains head toward Accrington, Blackburn, and ultimately Preston.

• Eastbound: Services run to Burnley and Colne.

The contrasting elements of Huncoat make it a compelling subject for any rail enthusiast—the simple functionality of a modern Northern station set against a backdrop of deep industrial history. If you're ever travelling through Lancashire, it’s a spot well worth a pause to reflect on the industries that shaped the region.

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All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.