~Railway Repairs and Renewals~
The Todmorden Curve
Holme Tunnel
Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk....
The Missing Link
The rail authorities are reopening the Todmorden Curve, my red arrow shows where the track is missing - of course it's a bit more than 20 yards of permanent way. The line from Burnley comes in from the west and the new link will take passengers directly to Manchester by heading south through Todmorden Station.
Curve Territory
The new points are pre-fabricated and ready for installation - they sit in the top left of this photo. This is the scene at the Burnley end of The Curve.
Points
Closed Line
The line between Burnley and Hebden Bridge has been closed since early November 2013 as the work on Burnley Mancheseter Road Station, Holme Tunnel and The Curve is undertaken.
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Manchester Road Station (left) is gaining a new building and Holme Tunnel is being relined - see link, at the foot of the page. I walked under the railway, up through Buckley Wood and on to Dean Scout. A view of the restoration work at The Holme shows the new owner's early efforts. This ancient building was damaged by fire 10 years ago.
The Holme
Dean Scout
It's a very misty, murky morning (2nd March 2014) and there's no point going any higher. A path leads eastwards from here, under the dramatic crags of Thievely Scout.
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The railway workers' village comes into view - this is the modern version of the navvy settlements, like those at Ribblehead (Batty Moss). I wonder if they still have drunken brawls on pay day?
Cliviger Railway Village
Misty Trees
Holme Tunnel Eastern Portal
That's as close as the public can get. The workers have put some photos on a Facebook page.
No trespassing by the author, you will be pleased to know. I believe that there will be a public walk through before reopening.
Northern Rail site with a video of the repair plan.
All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2014 ©
Take me back to the start ....