Thanks for showing the Nicky Line. Where Hemel Hempstead Water Gardens and Leighton Buzzard road is was a coal yard and coal merchant’s. I remember a diesel multiple unit took passengers from Harpenden to HH (Midland) on the last day. Hemelite Cupid Green to Harpenden closed in the 1980s
I have an article somewhere that suggests that Hemelite wanted to continue using the railway for the supply of raw materials and shipment of their products, but were quoted an astronomical price by BR for the refurbishment of the main line junction, causing them to switch to road transport instead. This led to the sale of their Clayton type 1 diesel to Castle Cement at Horrocksford.
I think you are correct. It happened when they electrified the Midland main line and updated the signalling. Hemelight was asked to pay for the work or the point work would be removed to simplify the signalling.
@@agdenyer Yes, that was it! Thank you for posting all of your videos and still images by the way. The pictures of the smaller Scottish Type 1s and 2s, classes in which I have a particular interest, are magnificent.
There was also a plan for waste trains to use the branch. However, this never came to fruition as either the northern part of Harpenden junction would have had to be reinstated, or the trains would have had to reverse on the main line to travel north to Bedford.
My recollection is much the same as Mr D's: BR's Electrification project was anxious to avoid having to resignal at Harpenden only the four running lines and the new Fast/ Slow Lines high-speed crossovers between them, let alone having to renew the branch's junction north thereof. The junction connected only with the Down Fast side, and the new crossovers are further to the south of the station than previously, so the crawl on/off the branch would block the Fasts for much longer.... Even if BR ever did quote a price on an "anything is possible" basis, I suspect the main reason was simply that it was an operational nuisance to them.
Great images here . There was certainly something special about the station and surrounding yard at Hemel Hempstead . I believe the main building was demolished and the site cleared in early 1970 . A real shame to say the least .
I remember this area very well. There is something so sad about derzeit old railway stations. They symbolise the passing of an era. I also remember the Mayflower Pub shown in a couple of these photos.
Where Hemel Hempstead WaterGardens are now was a coal merchants yard with access onto Cotterells Rd. The Nickey ran behind Hemel Hospital and approximately were Riverside is was a viaduct carrying the line to HH gas works were coal trains were bound. You could see Heath Park Halt from the long done pub by HH cricket club. Some vestiges of the embankment that carried the line can still be seen on Boxmoor Trust land near Two Waters. The last bit of the Nickey ran from Hemelite breeze block factory to the Midland mainline at Harpenden.
I know this line well, having watched goods trains using it (Hemelte). But where's the rest of it? Redbourne the Halts etc & it's joing with the maain line at Harpenden??
That station and sidings would make a lovely little subject for a first model railway. Plenty of scenic detail, bridges, simple track plan, nice period buildings and platforms for scratch-building. And some operating potential. Definitely a beautiful little layout for the LMS branch line modeller like me.
Strange the sadness this evokes. I watched from Roundwood School the 0-6-0 tender engine and the BR standard 2-6-0 nipping smartly along with trucks and short flat wagons to the breeze block plant at Redbourn. The old Roundwood Halt platform remained for many years and may still be there.
I was about 7 or 8 when steam ended. I remember looking into the window of Hemel Hempsted station and seeing a brown teapot on the table. These pics must have been taken long after that. It would have been nice if this had been saved and made into a steam museum and the infrastructure kept from it to the current Hemel station which in those days was called Boxmore.
this line was called the nicky line which ran from hemel hempstead to harpenden. this was not the main line. this was mainly used for trucks which carried coal. this line joined the main line at hemel station. which is in boxmmor. the main line runs to euston station.
Over the years many railway lines and stations have been closed for good or bad the biggest problem that occurs is when land and track bed are sold off or taken making it difficult or impossible to reopen these lines it should be illegal to sell off track bed.
I understand that in Germany a line may be closed, but the track may not be lifted, thus leaving to any change in commerce or politics the lines availability.
Interesting pictures. I would like to know where each one is taken and perhaps a map of how it was. Another line that would be useful if they brought it back but I think that's a no.
+tom beer I went down to Midlands Depot when I heard the sulzer. The crew of 4 told me they had come to the depot as a farewell as the track was about to be lifted. So as far as I know that was the last, if unofficial journey down to the depot. From then on the track only went as far as the Hemelite sidings
+agdenyer only have two roads at the back of my house now. two were removed in the 90s. very busy in the 70s and 80s. 100 ton oil tankers, bulk soap from levers shunted up and past the house, football specials, now just passenger traffic. not good stuff for the enthusiast.
Hello A G Denyer, I have a website for the Nickey Line Harpenden to Hemel Hempstead Branch Line) and I am currently planning to update it with many more pictures, images etc. I would like to add your pictures shown on You Tube of the branch line to the website if you are happy. Please look at the current website and contact me through the email address shown in the 'DVD' section of the website or through You Tube. Regards, G E Storrow.
