Dave explores the short and once important former electric route between Morecambe Promenade and Lancaster Green Ayre, as well as the viaduct connection running down the side of the River Lune from the city's larger Castle Station.
The Morecambe terminus was also on the end of a triangular junction with nearby Heysham Port, part of which had since been lifted itself.
The three-mile line, electrified early in the 20th century, used very early electric train designs including a powered carriage, but following a short two-year closure in the early 1950s saw slightly more modern-built stock from London replace it.
These square-ish three carriage trains with a diamond shaped pantograph mounted over the driving cab of the motor carriage, sported the traditional dark green colour of the era, although towards the end of the day adopted the recognisable British Rail blue
The gentle route to Lancaster runs on a tarmac cycle path through through trees and estates and eventually joined closely alongside by the River Lune.
A rich array of bridges still survive along with the blasphemous brick underpass at where the A683 Road crosses the former line at track level.
Remnants of the one single immediate station Scale Hall still linger today as also do occasional remains of the electrification infrastructure while the line closes in on Lancaster crossing underneath the West Coast Mainline's beautiful viaduct.
Getting in across the Lune on the Greyhound bridge, admired relic despite now being used by road traffic, the line reaches Green Ayre pass the sides of it's goods yard, now a Sainsbury's with a little bit of wall left at the end.
Dave also takes a small detour at this point, travelling along the former connecting track and inclined viaduct along the riverside from the current mainline station, still known as Lancaster Castle to some.
A ten-metre section of platform edging, sitting amidst grass in the middle of a public park, represents what remains of Green Ayre station though nowadays decorated on top by a preserved yard crane from another stop further down the continuation of the line towards Wennington.
For those of you that have enjoyed this journey, you should be glad to know that a follow-up video covering the Lancaster to Caton section is currently in production - this should be available on the channel in October.
Thanking
Ralphy's Cafe on Morecambe Promenade
The Three Mariners in Lancaster
for the great food
(Plus the former for also allowing filming in their premises)
#oldrailway
#Lancaster
#morecambe
#railwayline
#lancashire
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1 окт 2024
