I asked this a few months ago but got no replies!!!.
There was a tunnel that linked the WCML to the Stoke line from the south at Basford Hall does anybody have pictures of this and any information?
I asked this a few months ago but got no replies!!!.
There was a tunnel that linked the WCML to the Stoke line from the south at Basford Hall does anybody have pictures of this and any information?
The big Cobb atlas shows the curve under the main lines of the WCML south of Crewe station, running from the west side of Basford Hall sidings, to join the line towards Alsager at "NS Sidings Junction". It gives an opening date of about 1900 and closing date of 1984.
Suppose it would give access between. the industry of the Stoke area to the marshalling yards S of Crewe and to the slow lines of the WCML.
The big Cobb atlas shows the curve under the main lines of the WCML south of Crewe station, running from the west side of Basford Hall sidings, to join the line towards Alsager at "NS Sidings Junction".
There was a tunnel that linked the WCML to the Stoke line from the south at Basford Hall does anybody have pictures of this and any information?
thats great, can you put any pictures up or send me a private message and will give you my email address?.To summarise, and add a few personal comments:
1. Technically it appears to have been a bridge rather than a tunnel.
2. Opened c.1900 in connection with the development of Basford Hall and the Independent lines.
3. Closed 1984 in anticipation of the 1985 Crewe remodelling. I believe it was to allow the speed restriction on the main line to be raised.
4. Its main use was to allow traffic from Stoke area to be remarshalled at Basford Hall - in the late 1970s/ early 1980s there were two regular Stoke - B Hall afternoon trains (mostly composed of vanfits and hauled by 24s) which I remember well.
5. I have a photograph of 2 08s passing along the line in the late 70s - probably en route from working in the Stoke area to maintenance at Crewe TMD. This was published as a 'mystery photo' on the Crewe Blog website.
6. My late father (a Crewe Driver) almost certainly drove along it!
Yes, my mistake, west side of the main lines, and east side of the yard and the independent lines that bypass Crewe station.Should that west side not be east side?
Yes, my mistake, west side of the main lines, and east side of the yard and the independent lines that bypass Crewe station.
1. Technically it appears to have been a bridge rather than a tunnel.
Without any pictures, nobody really knows if its technically a tunnel or a bridge , i'm surprised nobody has any it only closed in 1984 which is quite recent in railway terms.
My Signalling Record Society Track Plan from the 1950s shows the line from Stoke (NS) emerging west of the Up Fast Independent line but east of everything else. There are 18 through lines in this area (excluding the WCML) comprising Up & Down Fast & Slow Independent plus reception lines and shunting necks so it does get hard to sort it all out.
According to this book Basford Hall is the junction with the WCML further south and the complex of sidings is Crewe Sorting Sidings. This may well have changed since the 1950s of course.
Can you scan the diagram?
Can you put the picture up of the 08's?
Was this connecting line known as 'North Staffordshire Curve'? I have a book somewhere at home stating this short line was electrified in the 1960's, only to be singled and de-electrified before final closure in Oct 1984.