The Old Railway Line that will NEVER Reopen - Might Actually Reopen? 

Since I have retired I have found that I'm becoming so much more like Victor Meldrew (played by Richard Wilson in One Foot in The Grave). I am now the angry old man that I thought I would never become. But with age comes wisdom. How dare the Politian's who are supposed to serve us just throw away our heritage. The things that our grand fathers and great great grand fathers toiled to build in order to bring about a better England. For me it started with the Beeching report (can't call him a doctor because he wasn't). A patsy hired from ICI to bring about an outcome already decided to benefit one (if not more) politician, in this case Ernest Marples (Minister of Transport 1959 - 1964) later Baron Marples (shows how corruption has it's rewards). Marples was a corrupt politician due to his family interests in road construction. If the same review of Britain Railways would happen today, lines like this one would never have been closed. In a different world, one where the green agenda is becoming more urgent, we need the railways. All of them!!!!

Cut a few trees down, scrape the moss off the rails chuck a bit of ballast down, jobs a goodun😂😂😂😂 What an excellent vid, not a bramble in sight!!!! Thanks Ant👍👍👍👍

I live not too far from this route and was aware that most of the track was still down but I've never actually been so this is my first ever look at it. Quality stuff as always, Thanks.

Hi ant cracking video as always !! As a stokie i can shed some more info on your video. Its pronounced cauldon as is cauldron but with don on the end !! The reason the ballast is missing at endon station is the station was totally overgrown and when they changed the use to the tearooms they were going put tables outside on the platform so totally landscaped it !! A massive part you missed is the ticket office at milton is still there but its above the road as like stockton brook !! The foxley canal is mainly intact to its end and still recogniseable as a canal !! Also the line from stoke to cauldon was set with a clause when mothballed that it had to be kept maintained and ready for use within 72 hours !! Regards john 😊

I joined a branch lines rail tour which began at Helby [?] near Runcorn. This was in 1983. A DMU was the order of the day and we traversed many freight only and now closed branch lines in Cheshire and a little into North Staffs. This was one of the lines we travelled along as far as Oakamoor. I do recall photographing from the train the cantilever bridge over the canal at Endon [?]. It was a great day out. Sadly many of these lines are just byways for dog walkers today. I believe there are plans at some time in future to use this line as part of the reconnection project from the proposed new station at Leek back to Stoke mainline station. We'll wait and see!

Hello, absolutely fantastic video! I’m delighted that you included some of my old railway videos from 1976. I’ve been planning to post some new videos of freight trains on the Stoke - Leek line for some years and your video has finally made me decide to get on with it! I’ve got some of the old clips remastered with AI and that makes a real difference. I used to live in Baddeley Green - between Milton & Stockton Brook and spent many hours watching trains go by. I’ll start publishing the new clips in the next month or so. Thanks again for a great video!

Confirmed. This rail line is in the process of being recommissioned.

That looks similar to a line near me, the Bramley Line from March to Wisbech, closed to passengers in 1968, then used as a freight line serving Metal Box in Wisbech with Steel coils, finally fully closed in 2000, but all the track in place to the outskirts of Wisbech, the Bramley Railway trust regularly go out cutting back brambles etc that are encroaching on the line. The local MP is pushing to reopen it as a light Railway.

The steel used for these rails would be and still is much better than the crap used today. Often it can be re-used especially if for a heritage line used at 25 mph maximum line speed.

Nice to see lines re opening be great if this does . Traffic in and out of stoke is horrendous. Anything that can reduce it would be welcome.

Great walk. Such a thrill to see so much Infrastructure especially rails still in situe. Most unusual these days.. what really rubs me up is the way Joe Public treats bridges and cuttings as his personal rubbish dump. Thanks Ant.

Yet another cracking video and drone footage. Old photos and info fab. Thanks again Ant 👍

Epic video, Ant. Great to see so much of the tracks still around 🤩

I tend to put your episodes on regular through the telly on the youtube app - makes up for the lack of quality TV shows these days! Tip for another - checkout a time capsule that is Broomielaw station, near Barnard Castle.

Your knowledge and passion shines through in every video, and it's incredibly nostalgic to journey along with you. Keep up the fantastic work!

Thanx for this. Brilliant video as always. I lived in Endon and you've ignited all my childhood memories of playing and walking the line and canal in the 70's. Keep up the good work. I also have inherited the Bucknall Signal Box Sign from my late Father...

Another great video. Well filmed and narrated. Thank you for all the research. Old photos so good. Well done Ant. Another masterpiece.

That was amazing..thank you. To see all that track still in place. A couple of places along the route would require a heckof a lot of work to re-open even part of it. Very enjoyable...all the best.

Love this video Ant, excellent content & it's what im so interested in thank you! ❤😊

Thank you for a most informative (and enthusiastic) presentation. Let us hope and pray that the line will be reopened to passengers and freight in due course.

A really great video Ant, just a pity about that last bit towards Stoke station. I reckon that this would be a fantastic line to re-open, but the strengthening of that tunnel has left the headroom too low for conventional 12 to 13 feet height rolling stock to go through, unless, the track could be lowered, but then it could become flooded out. Many thanks, Ant for this production.

Another classic video Ant, Incredible the track is all still down. well researched and great photography as always.

Another brilliant video thanks so much Ant 👍

Thank you for sharing. This is amazing ❤

It's pretty rare to find a disused railway as intact as this one nowadays, Ant! Our corner of NE Derbyshire was proliferated with places like this around 15 years back, alas, Network Rail lifted the lot. ☹️ Terrific stuff, again. 👍

Fascinating video! Thank you so, SO much for uploading. This was especially interesting to me as I have walked the section from Endon to Leekbrook during a holiday in the area several years ago. So, there is still hope!

That's amazing, Ant! An abandoned railway with still intact track. I think it would be quite a job to clear that lot! Especially all those trees growing near and through the track! Fascinating! I didn't know such railways existed still!

Love the video!! I went staffs uni and stumbled upon this rail track when I was going to get my first ‘Rona vaccine in 2021 because the maps on my phone took me a really convoluted way under a bridge on the last section of track, which I had a little nosey at. Me and my friends walked this railway quite a bit that year, it was a lot of fun when we weren’t really allowed to get up to a whole lot from lockdowns. So this was a fantastic throwback and really good memories. Great to hear all the history behind it.

Yet again another outstanding documentary into our history in this case rail . Thank you for going out of your way to bring this to our screens it’s much appreciated indeed!. I do look forward to your comprehensive commentary / documentary with the use of drone footage that adds a different perspective. It would be fantastic if this line was reopened if for nothing More than a tourist attraction . Well done sir !

It was a good idea doing that walk in winter. You can see that during the year, there will be thick foilage everywhere making things much harder, even for photography.

Another superb walk. How interesting that for so much of the line, the trees did not grow between the rails and you were able to walk quite easily! Loved the little tunnel too, of course! I do hope that it does get re-opened - maybe the Churnet Valley should take it on?

This is an ace video! Brings back memories of how this interest all started for myself. Back in the early 90's as a kid my dad took me walking along the disused tracks from Dereham to Wymondham in Norfolk (think it closed to freight in the 80s also) Luckily in the years since it got restored and is now a great heritage railway fingers crossed this one gets the same result! Also hopefully there are some more gems like this left you can capture

another awesum video Ant so many disused railway lines to discover Thanks mate.

Hi Ant, thank you for the video, love it, that track bed looks amazing, keep up the fantastic work.👍

I really enjoyed your video, well presented and interesting. I am all for reopening these abandoned lines wherever possible. The problem with most is that at some point they have been completely closed off so they can only ever be a short branch. This one can go no further than the outskirts of Leek as its Station is now I believe a car park. It would be great to see it in use again but at what cost, and there are others that would probably be more financially viable like the Midland line between Matlock and Great Rocks.

The line that runs up the middle of Anglesey to Amlwch is another with trackbed still intact. Used to serve the Bromine plant which is also worth an explore

Great walk, along what could be a very scenic railway, if it's ever reopened. Let's hope it is. Thank's for sharing some beautiful images.

This one brought back some memories. I walked the section from Stockton Brook to Fenton in June 2016 and apart from a bit more seasonal greenery it’s exactly the same now as then. I posted my walk on the app/website Outdooractive (titled Stockton Brook to Fenton) and my text for the Fenton end was “the last access point is via Berry Hill Road.From here to the end (of the route) is good until between two factories it suddenly becomes impassable.” So the flooded area that you found was exactly the same 8 years ago! You also mentioned The Biddulph Way which I also have walked and posted on the same app/site. There is also the old potteries loop line which is now a walkway and several other old railway lines in north Staffordshire/south Cheshire which are quite interesting.

thanks for this film. have done the caldon canal back about 10 years ago and was all visible then. caroline

They should renovate it into something similar to like the Avon Valley Railway, With a Cycling/Walking Path separated by a Fence with a Running Line the opposite side.

It wouldn't be difficult to reopen. A contractor could easily clear the trees and brambles in a month. The trees are mostly birch, which grows straight. They can be sent to a sawmill for processing. Replace the rotton sleepers and trains can run again. The rails look in good condition.

The sand in the wagons would be Silica Sand quarried by British Industrial Sand (B.I.S.) at Oakamoor and was used to make glass. It contained very little iron so was white.

In a summer drought season, you could complete that walk to Frenton, but remember that there will be foliage. Things like that we need to make a note of, in our diary's, because come hot weather, it's so easy just to think of rushing off to the beach.

Thank you for this day’s video. Always a trek back in time. Reconstructing the remaining will not be simple. Invasion of trees in the lines path have to removed, ballast formation has to reconstructed, and maintenance has to be maintained. The idea of resurrection is fine in theory, but costly in expense. Reopening? In theory yes, in associated costs, I doubt it. Again, thank you for the video this day, Ant. Always a pleasure to watch. Cheers Ant! 🇬🇧🙂👍🇺🇸

Interesting !! But the line can't be reopened until they get Royal Ascent from Queen Victoria by a séance and that takes time??!!!😄😨

In Indonesia, they would just use a strong locomotive down these rails, a few man applying sand. And the line would be reopened....

Fantastic video as usual. It’s rather thrilling to have all that railway line. It’s a pity people have no respect and throw their rubbish everywhere. I did love the area you went thru. Lovely trees, railway lines, must make a great video. Thanks for taking me along. Please take care

Very interesting, thanks for posting.

A great vid. Possibly one of your best. Thks

Great video, great narrative. Thank you.

Thank you, really interesting to see the tracks going all the way (I assume), and the architecture of the bridges etc. Shocked at the amount of litter!

Well done Ant super video. It makes you wonder how the track was left as normally its the first thing they do on closure is rip up the track.

Another excellent video Ant, have you heard about the Anglesey Central Railway? unused since the 90s all the track is still down and there are plans to reopen it, might be worth a look

Hi. What a fantastic video. I grew up near stocton brook . There was a signal just before endon station. I use to climb up the ladder at weekend when no trains ran. The track that is now the cycle way closed in 1976. Norton and Whitfield collierys used the track to transport there coal

Amazing! Guessing this might have just been mothballed then initially, as presumably the tracks would’ve been lifted to reuse the steel otherwise?

Not aware of any other country that has closed so many lines. Especially when so many of them could find a valid use in the current times. An excessive and inflated operating cost of the current UK railway model does not help the cause...

Wellies perhaps

Makes you wonder if a train could fit through the reinforcement now. Pity. Great video, might go myself

Im guessing at the end this line would have worked under the 'One Engine In Steam' principle hence no signalling. Also some of the track seems to be concrete sleepers with bullhead (ie chaired) rail. The Churnet Valley Railway is the most likely candidate to reopen it. A lot of firewood would be available too

I'm from Leek. Only a few days ago I read that MP Karen Bradley is backing this and if I'm right on what I've read on this. Some of the money that was going to be used on HS2 is going to be used on this line aswell. But I have had that some of the residents in Endon aren't happy with this line reopening. As it is its a really good idea. Especially for people travelling from Leek to Stoke and from Stoke to Leek. Plus it will bring move tourism in the area

I have realllly enjoyed thiis. Thank you.

Good video, thank you 😊

Between Stoke and Leek. Walked along it myself two weeks ago. Very muddy at the moment, but will be great in the summer.

Unusual to find all that track still in place on an abandoned line. I bet you were really pleased to find that one Ant.

Mothballed is a far better decision than eviscerating every trace of what we regard as a railway. It needed doing however, on a much wider basis.

I just took this excellent video to the 1k mark. Loved it Ant.

Another great video Ant ,you certainly do your research , shame there is so much rubbish strewn about lets hope they do get the rail in use again it will start in leek just across the road from where i live

I would expect that section of track is used by walkers using the line as a footpath, keeping the tree growth down, great video ...

The Churnet Valley Heritage Railway. I Know the Town of LEEK is their Main Destination at the Moment for the Northern Terminus in the Future & they Run Trains to the East from Leek Junction.

I love the idea that these lines could be reopened. The filming of these chunks of our industrial heritage is so important… to be honest I’ve worried a few folks who have bought houses built on very viable but closed lines with a sly wink claiming that the Railways Act 1890 (complete bluff of course) could be used to rebuild the tracks but also remove any obstruction involved including homes and factories, ..I know I need to grow up.😂

Quite a video, sir. You'd think that with a bit of restoration now, they could put a 'Parly' style School Train or the like, up and down there a couple of times a day. Certainly, the Notion of supplying any industries along the route would be a possibility. With so many houses around it, you'd think it could support itself. Maybe the Heritage Group mentioned could extend and upgrade their own status to a TOC over Light Rail Rules at least. A spark of colour and life to a lovely stretch of Line. Nice one, chap. Cheers!

Lovely, thank you!

its a shame if they dont do anything with the disused railway looks like a nice walk, not far from a canal and also some nice history also thanks for sharing ant 😊

its crazy that they actually left the rails there and never removed them this genuinely is an abandoned railway

Love stuff like this. Completely fascinated by history as it is in cities etc

What a well produced program, way and above what we would expect on prim time TV, well done...👍👍

What a superb video, actually quite sad too, very poignant

George James Crosbie Dawson my 2nd cousin 4x removed was Chief Engineer of the North Staffordshire Railway from 1886-1914. They built it well under his supervisoin. Nice to see some of it being reused.

Great informative video thank you 🙏

For heritage use, I wouldn’t be surprised if most of that rail was still good. Ties (sleepers) would need to be replaced, and ballast, but the steel is likely to be useful still in the right type of service (not so much for commuter passenger or revenue freight, I would think).

Great video!

I have walked this track bed twice from Stockton Brook while taking a boat up the Caldon (on two occasions - 2019 and 2023). As soon as I saw the YT video still I knew which railway it was - and I was right :).

Fenced off bridge before about 20 minutes - it was fenced off thanks to some of the charming young locals dropping bricks from it onto passing cars IIRC.

the cvr had contractors clear the line towards caulden low using machines that ran on the rails i think they also did a bit towards endon too! which is why it looked very clear in places. also an excursion ran in 1994 over the line!

Good video! Have you been up to the East Lancs Railway - that was one line saved by enthusiasts, but now there have been odd murmurings that it should be taken over and returned to being a commuter line to Bury and Manchester. Isn't life great when you have 20/20 hindsight?

Being able to go to Leek from Stoke would be amazing. It’s not far but unless you drive it’s difficult to get to, busses are unreliable.

We travelled on this line in the late '70s in a DMU special from Stoke to Cheddleton.

Newton Abbott to Heathfield branch, Devon. Currently mothballed/disused. Walked parts of it last summer. I had my baby Daughter in a push chair, so could only look at parts from the parallel old canal towpath.

Great walk good to see rails down don't think I've ever been on any railway walks with rails still down great to see shud try forge valley line most of buildings there still

It wouldn't be to difficult to restore the line to working order. bit of clearing of the overgrowth, replacing of the rails, sleepers and ballast and installation of new/refurbed platforms plus signalling.

my son lived in belgium and once when i visited him for the weekend we had a family trip, he took me to a disused railway line and we hired a four seater pedal powered trolley! it was brilliant all low maintainence, just wish someone would do the same in the uk! the line your portraying here would be ideal.

There's a similar concrete side channel on the old tracks leading away from Littleton Colliery in Cannock, I'd wondered what it was for but it appears to be missing the sump at the end otherwise it would have been obvious

Odd that the track was not pulled up, usually the abandoned track is removed so people won't trip on the sleepers or rails while walking....

Thank you very much for posting. I do not know the area but very interesting to learn about this line.

There was talk of roadstone from Cauldon Low a few years back.but it never came to anything !

Another excellent video. I couldn't help but think of the English engineers who would have made the sleepers, the fishplates, the chairs, etc rather than what we have to refer to now as british. What a wonderful scenic railway the journey would have made long enough to properly enjoy a real railway. I wasn't going to vote in the GE but now I'm thinking it would be a derrogation of my duty. I hope, but I think in vain, that there will be a box to put my tick that says English.

Walked it from the Stoke end through to Leek with the Railway Ramblers. A very long walk but worth it. For some reason, north of where you pointed out the lack of ballast, the line appears to have been recently re-ballasted with very white and clean "stones". We were unable to find out why, especially as only about half a mile was dealt with and it was nowhere near the preserved railway.

Ant another cracking video thanks for taking the time to do it lm off to google earth just to see if l can see that connection to the main line can be seen from space 😂👍

What is it with silver birch trees and redundant railway infrastructure?great video as usual

The Blaenau Ffestiniog to Bala railway has track from Blaenau to the powerstation (disused) at Trawsfynydd. There is a section from just after the viaduct back over the viaduct and on towards Trawsfynydd is through such stunning scenery both sections are well worth a look