Stocksbridge line (Read 1,652 times)

[ateam]

Are the freights that run on this line scheduled in any way, and if so, when do they run? Ive lived in the Hillsborough area for quite a few years now and Ive heard them from time to time running on this line over Wadsley Bridge but Ive yet to actually see one in the flesh.

Also, while we're on the subject, when did Wadsley Bridge cease being used to service Hillsborough stadium on matchdays? I recall being told that it was used for this purpose at one time although I only ever remember it being derelict (when I was younger we occasionally ventured up onto the platforms and had a look round), and currently, fenced off. Also, where did these services run from as IIRC theres no direct link to Midland station?

[04jessops]

Sept 4, 2009 21:58:13 GMT ateam said:

Are the freights that run on this line scheduled in any way, and if so, when do they run? Ive lived in the Hillsborough area for quite a few years now and Ive heard them from time to time running on this line over Wadsley Bridge but Ive yet to actually see one in the flesh.

Not sure about the schedule. I think there's one in the morning and one in the evening but don't quote me on that. The last time I saw one was about 6.30pm going over Wadsley Bridge bridge.

Sept 4, 2009 21:58:13 GMT ateam said:

Also, where did these services run from as IIRC theres no direct link to Midland station?

Sheffield Victoria - now a hotel.

There'll be people on SYT forum who know a lot more about the line than me. I do happen to know a few places where you can get onto the track, though. ;D

[lysander]

Tonights Star is reporting that "Don Valley Railway" has revealed its plans for a half-hourly train service between Sheffield and Stocksbridge. This follows the announcement of the tram-train trials. The group are in discussions with SYPTE and Network Rail. The latter are reported as saying :" It has no objections to DVRs proposals, providing freight traffic can continue to operate".

[mainline]

Sept 19, 2009 15:12:25 GMT lysander said:

Tonights Star is reporting that "Don Valley Railway" has revealed its plans for a half-hourly train service between Sheffield and Stocksbridge. This follows the announcement of the tram-train trials. The group are in discussions with SYPTE and Network Rail. The latter are reported as saying :" It has no objections to DVRs proposals, providing freight traffic can continue to operate".

I'd thought they had just disappeared myself, having not heard anything from them over the last few years. Good luck to them though.

[wbc]

Aren't the freight workings to/from Stocksbridge timetabled to run during the very late at night/ very early in the morning i.e. 11pm - 3am. I've lived in north Sheffield for many years and I've never seen one either, so if the timings i've quoted are correct that might explain it!

[madannie77]

The most recent timings that I know of are from April 2009:

18:47 Aldwarke - 19:33 Stocksbridge (6J57)
21:13 Stocksbridge - 22:05 Aldwarke (6J58)

As it is dependent on local requirements it is possible that early running, late running or cancellation could happen.

The most interesting part (to me) is the trip from Deepcar Exchange Sidings, where a Corus locomotive takes over the train for the journey to Stocksbridge, especially as the loco is likely to be a Yorkshire Engine Co Janus, made in Sheffield. A useful article about the railwaty can be found here: www.topforge.co.uk/Other%20Industries/Stocksbridge%20Railway.htm

Regarding Wadsley Bridge Station, although I can't say when the last Football Special used the station, it would no doubt have been in the 1980s. The Disused Stations website gives 5th September 1988 as the closure date.

www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/stations/w/wadsley_bridge/index.shtml

Football special trains would have been run from the appropriate part of the country, and would access Wadsley Bridge via the old Great Central mainline through Sheffield Victoria. Accessing this line was easy from the south, off the ECML at Retford, or via the Old Road and Woodhouse. Running via Sheffield Midland would involve use of the Nunnery Curve and reversal. From the north access would be via what is called the Tinsley line from Rotherham (the one at the side of the tram line to Meadowhall)

[Deleted]

Much debate is taking place on a national railway forum as to the use of Wadsley Bridge station for 'footexs' (trains for football fans) after the Woodhead route closed to regular passenger services in January 1970.

The most pressing question is that of when was the station last used for that purpose? My delving so far has come up with 8th January 1994 for the Sheffield Wednesday v Nottingham Forest match. This used 'sprinter' DMUs 156422 + 156467. Does anyone know of any use after that?

The last locomotive hauled 'footex' to Wadsley Bridge would appear to have been on 17th March 1993 for the Sheffield Wednesday v Derby County match utilising 47824.

The FA Cup semi-finals held at Hillsborough are thought to have always seen Wadsley Bridge footexs in the 1970's and 1980's but still need to unearth more about these. The last was the Middlesbrough v Chesterfield replay on 22nd April 1997. I am not aware of any footexs running for this match although there were some Sheffield (Midland) - Chesterfield reliefs after the match. Of course this match should never have been as clearly Chesterfield had already beaten Middlesborough at Old Trafford but that's another story. Prior to that the previous match was Sunderland v Norwich City on 5th April 1992. Not yet unearthed any notes about this match but probably at least one 'footex' to Wadsley Bridge.

Working back the previous semi-final was the one on 15th April 1989 that you will be hearing a lot about in the next few days. I have unearthed the notebook of the late Peter Fox for this day and although it is not clear whether or not it ran to Wadsley Bridge or not he records a footex from Liverpool with 47434. He also records 47447 and 97545 passing through Dore on return footexs later in the day. Thus it is presumed these ran to Sheffield (Midland). Can anyone confirm or add more details.

Not so far discovered any more notes about 'footexs' to Wadsley Bridge from 1989 - 1994 but presumably there were others.

Any further information would be welcomed. I will post about earlier 'footexs' another time.

[cheesystig]

You need to use this website-

www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/advanced

Put into the first box woodburn jcn and selec freight trains and times in the boxes, and it will show the train for you. It will show the timetabled train, and show if it is cancelled, running, and being tied into trust (the railway reporting system) will also show if it is late or early as well.

At the moment it is running aprox 3 times a week.

[alexander]

I don't think any football specials operated after 1995 when the trams took the fans much nearer to the ground .

[Deleted]

A listing of all known footexs to Wadsley Bridge station is now being compiled on the Sheffield Branch of the RCTS webpage. This can be viewed at www.rcts.org.uk/branches/sheffield/page.htm?id=sheffield/wbfootex

[lysander]

Do they still run regular football specials? The tram runs somewhat closer to the ground...but I believe the permanent closure of the station at Wadsley Bridge was the real reason...a money saving exercise.