The Story of a Disused Railway 

Wow the Manchester Ship Canal looks so small. I remember as a kid in the 60s I sometimes used to cycle from Altrincham to the canal near Warburton. Scrambling down the slippy bank always felt a bit scary with this dark wide, oily black water at the bottom of the cut. How small, green and pleasant it all looks now from the drone shots. Gone are oil covered rocks on the lower cutting from the ship wash. Now only hawthorn, ivy and nettles and fungi . Beautiful how nature always finds its way back. Thanks Martin for the post-industrial view of my childhood adventure grounds. More green less grimy black!

The Manchester Ship Canal & Salford Docks... a sea port 30 odd miles inland.. Magnificent feat of engineering and unique.

Although its nice when you find the old remnants of the past, tucked away in the undergrowth, i can't help but feel sad that all these things are dissused an derelict. All the effort that went into creating these things, and its all gone to waste and forgotten about.

it always amazes me how fast nature reclaim former structures, nobody would think that some 30yrs ago there was still railroad traffice in that place ..

When you see how quiet the canal and docks are now it's hard to imagine how busy it used to be

Another great film. I like the way you explain it on the map, makes it easier to follow.

Brilliant, video Martin its thirty years since I was last there at Partington station, I think the track had been singled by then, but thely did not run at weekends, the subway has be infilled a lot more since, I seem to remember it being half filled at that time. The main use of this line in its latter years was coal and limestone to British Steel and when the bridge was closed Shell chemicals used to receive chemicals in large tanker wagons. In 1966 some of the freight trains were pulled by quite famous named express engines based at Stockport.

I grew up in Partington so all the images you posted brought back memories as a kid. The bridge had the shipping containers placed into position because of the fights that used to take place between the lads in Partington and Cadishead. Trust me, when you were being chased or vice versa that bridge was not the easiest to cross at speed and often led to you being caught or just falling over and making a mess of yourself.

Another gem. I don’t know if people realise how much work goes into editing but I spend hours and I don’t have music and drones and all the graphics you do so I very much appreciate it. Its also kind of spooky how similar the subject matter is on the one I’ve just done but I’ve focused more on Irlam Viaduct and each end of the line you were on.. I love the attention to detail with the close up of stonework and even plant life! I’ve been past both ends of that line dozens of times driving trains but never seen down it. Brilliant, thanks.

Lovely vid, great finds. I worked at Cadishead and often walked the dog round Carrington at the other end of this line, where old sidings including stops remain. There were talks of reopening this as a Metro line. They should.

It's crazy to think all the engineering and hard work that went into that bridge just to let it decay. The arches are a thing of beauty

That was so what we all love,plus two additional like minded souls!

Wow, great video. Albeit a bit depressing to think of all the work that went into that station. Not to mention the thought of people once walking through the underpass, waiting for trains on the platform, workers busy unloading wagons. All of them long gone and only ruins remaining of the places they once walked. A very poignant video, many thanks for making and uploading it.

I spent a wonderful summer afternoon looking over both sides of this bridge, apparently kids from north and south used to meet up for gang fights on the bridge. But then someone got stabbed and the containers got put in place. To the west is Latchford bridge in Grappenhall; it was the Stockport to Warrington line but closed in 1985. It is accessible from the South side but stick to the rails and certainly worth a look for it's outstanding Victorian Engineering. Great work as always fella!

Fantastic footage and story yet again, the old underpass at the end just made it all superb, great work, keep it up Martin.

Your enthusiasm and interest in these subjects is infectious and the research impressive. Thank you for taking us along with you

The containers on the viaduct make it look so ominous. It’s like something from 28 days later or some other zombie film.

Wow great vid....the old low bridge was truely lost in time...a great find and without explorers like you not many people would see this....The inner shot of the underpass was cool too.

I wish you had said you were going to Glazebook! I'm a signaller there and could've told you lots more about the old line. It used to be from Wigan Central (closed in the 60's) to Stockport. The low level line went to British Tar Products with the last train being as late as February 2002. Most of the sidings at Glazebrook were used as exchange sidings for the ship canal company and the Lancashire union steelworks at Irlam. The reason for the lines closure was the cost of renovating cadishead viaduct costed at £4million in 1985 and that was too much for BR. There are plans to reopen the viaduct for foot traffic and eventually for a heritage steam railway funded by the Hamilton Davies foundation but personally I doubt it will happen, the last time I was on the viaduct in 1999 it had rotted through in places where you can see the canal below. I would advise anyone thinking of getting on to it to not do so , it's very unsafe. Have you looked at Irlam station? There is a cafe / bar / museum in the old station building with pictures of the surrounding lines. Cool video, live the drone footage.👍👍

I was part of the team that painted those containers on the bridge a good few years ago. It took ages, especially removing the razor wire and metal sheets that run alomg the edges. Oh and the containers are filled with concrete so you can't cut through them.

Another quality video Martin. Nice co-op with Paul & Rebecca. It still amazes me how much history is under our noses.

I lived in Stretford from '62 -' 66 and on Sundays my Dad used to take my brother and me to Irlam Locks to watch the ships go through. The viaduct is clearly visible from there. I can remember trains going across it. I went myself a couple of times in the '80s and I thought I could remember A DMU going across on one occasion, but maybe I'm wrong on that count.

Absolute magic as always Martin..... I'm strangely moved when I watch these particular videos of abandoned stations and lines... All my worries drift away , and I'm transported back in time....Thank you so much for all you do ...xx

Nice video martin from a 4th generation railwayman and salt steamers aged 63, people will eventually forget the past if it wasn't for the likes of you keep up the good work

I happen to be from partington myself and I've explored the station and the bridge many times and I never new the story behind them both. So thank you so much for giving me all the information!

It’s a amazing that all those unused beautiful viaducts still exist and have kind of part in modern traffic. Such a pleasure to see the exploring you are doing and also the wonderful drone parts! Always looking forward to your videos👍🏻👌🏻

Finally got time to watch this. Great intro, imposing music for an imposing structure 👍🏻 On with it now..... 🎥

Another "Classic" information/visual -packed presentation complimented with blue skies

Hi martin we use to play on this bridge as kids when living in irlam, then moved to partington as a young teenager and still messed about on the bridge...lol

God Martin, we have lost so much of the railways haven’t we And the roads are busier than ever! Off I go now to ‘everydisusedstation’! Thanks for sharing 🚂

Another goodun Martin, Paul & Rebecca have a job for life, but good documentary info for future generations 👍. Next time we drive in to Manchester We’ll have to go via Cadishead for a #martnzerotour photo, you really are getting us out and about.

Excellent video, thanx Martin , Paul & Rebecca

I used to go for a pint and sometimes a meal in the Cheshire Lines pub in Cheadle. Its a well preserved station put to a good use !

Superb video! What a treat to see you all working together, and as always a fascinating watch. Thanks!

That is absolutely amazing. That underpass?! Wow, preserved in time and you’re the first ever to document and report on it. Thanks for sharing it. Thanks for the videos, and thanks for the entertainment Martin!

Here is the Link to Paul and Rebecca's Channel ru-vid.com They are on Facebook @everydisusedstation and they have a website www.everydisusedstation.co.uk Martin, PO Box 265, Manchester, M24 0BX

Martin, what a top, top video. My wife is from Partington and my in-laws live just down the road from what was Partington Station. We take their dog for walks down there. All explained now. Top one. Nice one. Get sorted mate!!!!

Very interesting video history I liked it very much keep up the good work I can't wait for your next video

When I saw the first few seconds I thought, I know that, it's Cadishead Viaduct. I lived in Cadishead for the first 30 years of my life. Went to school there and worked at Lancashire Steel, now long gone. The iron footbridge I know well. Used it twice a day for five days a week to go to school. I lived in sight of that bridge and remember the trains. I used to watch shunting operations too in the sidings. The old map showed allotments which I walked through on my way to school. The site of the steelworks is on the Cadishead side of the canal and on the Manchester side of the viaduct.It was the main employer for the area. Mt father worked there too. I didn't know the reason for the two bridges over Liverpool Road, your explanation answered that question. Thanks for the memories and nostalgia Martin.

Timperley. The home of the much missed Frank Sidebottom (AKA Chris Sievey, R.I.P.). Another fine video. Your picture, editing, and presentation are top notch, as always. I showed a friend one of your videos (the superb 'Trapdoor' one), and he asked me what day and time it had been shown on TV. He was fascinated with it. That's how good your videos are. Nice one. You could get a lightweight folding shovel from a camping or Army surplus store. They're very light, and you could carry it in your pack.

Another amazing video Martin, the tiled underpass was a great find, they certainly built things to last in Victorian times, many thanks for taking us along on your exploration

Thanks again Martin,loving the railway nostalgia. Very informative as per, looking forward to your next vlog 👍🏻😉 Ian

You’ve done it again absolutely fantastic Martin your a brilliant presenter captivating keep it up Mate

Another top video Martin thanks for the tour and keep up the good work

These engineering monuments are fascinating! To think that once these areas were filled with smoking steam engines, carriages, trucks, passengers on their way to destination....a hustle and bustle....but now left for nature to take over. What a distruction of some amazing engineering feats gone for ever....and have we really progressed? The whole culture of the eara has gone. Why do we destroy our heritage and culture? Why do we leave these amazing buildings like to signal box to disappear. Why destroy these lovely old stations? We are a strange race. Great work folk to show us this stuff. So nostalgic!

Another great find. Damn why was I so impressed with that underpass Lol

Great video, Martin. The old arches you found under the older, (low-level) line on the Partington side of the viaduct are part of the bridge where the line crossed the River Mersey before the Ship Canal was built, (the river ran slightly to the South-East of the present canal course at this point. I travelled on the line in a diesel train from Manchester Piccadilly to Liverpool around 1974, when the train was diverted due to partial closure of the normal route. It went Eastwards from Manchester towards Guide Bridge and then via Woodley, Stockport Tiviot Dale, (remains of) and through to Glazebrook via the Cadishead Viaduct, rejoining the normal route at Glazebrook Junction.

Another interesting and educational video that Underpass is amazing. Keep up the good work Martin

Great video once again just love every second, well done 👍🏻

Thank you for looking at this old route! Historically it was more important than the other line into Manchester as this line carried the crack express trains to both St Pancreas and Kings Cross from Liverpool. I’ve always wanted to know more about this lost main line route!

Absolutely fantastic video Martin really enjoyed it I love your old railway videos keep up the brilliant work!

Amazing as usual Martin. Brought back memories again of my dad. He worked as relief signalman in the 50's so would have been in the Cadishead box and the Glazebrook box at various times - can't remember how far he went certainly- to Irlam but I think further than that. So much history out there hidden from sight.

Nice collaboration on the Cadishead - Partington line and what a treasure. Seeing the mix of the keystoned old line it was like Athens yet the platforms of Partington look like they were made yesterday and surreal to be overgrown. A lovely shot of Cadishead Station with a War Department "Austerity" locomotive. The line was dieselised quite early with d.m.u. enough for the traffic. I think the ex-CLC route had previously enjoyed the services of railmotors. A steam engine permanently coupled to a carriage which was fitted with a cab at the rear with brakes and regulator. The driver switched ends at the termination of the service whilst the fireman stayed on the locomotive. There was normally a giant gong over the cab in the coach. I know there was a service from Warrington Bank Quay (Low-level) to Stockport Tiviot Dale that traversed the CLC route using railmotors and am 60% sure the Partington line was equipped with them. There was considerable objection when public services were withdrawn and stations like West Timperley and Broadheath also lost their services. Occasionally locals campaign to get it reopened. I think there are development plans for Carrington and Trafford Waters that would make services more viable and more environmental than adding to the road. It is amazing how much nature takes over. With so many birch trees perhaps you should take a trowel for the truffles. In the credits you didn't acknowledge the Great Tit's voice-over when you where on the new bridge looking down at the plate-girder green bridge (old). That "teacher, teacher, teacher" sound means you weren't alone. Mighty quest of that couple getting to the site of each disused station. Here in the North West were Beeching struck, but not just him, he takes the can but there were shut before and after him must be a labour of love. There are that many. I remember as a kid seeing Blackpool Central and Fleetwood stations you'd never guess they would shut. Fleetwood was a lovely LYR yellow brick station with covered walkway to the ships. My understanding was they were never on Beeching's plan for closure but the local councils wanted the land for development and let Beeching take the can. Politics eh🤔. I think Blackpool Central and Talbot Road (Blackpool North) had 23 platforms combined. Thanks for the film.👍

Another fantastic installment of past history, professionally presented as always. and added interest via the hook up with Paul and Rebecca.

Great insight into the glory days of our rail networks thanks for this great film

Just brilliant. The underpass was a brilliant find.

Nice Video. Been there, seen it, done it, and for a long time I even tried to get the government to convert this line and bridge into a road to make it quicker to get to Partington / Trafford as I hated driving around over Warburton Bridge (Note that Toll is not for the big bridge, but a tiny creak close to the Toll house) :-)

Love the video. Amazing what history is just beneath the surface.

That Partington underpass is seriously impressive

The underpass in partington station never ust to be blocked off as many years ago (around 20) me, my brother and friends ust to use it as a hide out. Many of times we ust to walk from partington station straight down the old tracks and across the bridge of doom. The good old days lol. Great video bright back lots of memories

Very interesting martin, the subway was amazing. Looking forward to the next video x

Fantastic collaboration. My friends garden backs onto the embankment of that line in Partington. next time I visit will have to go and have a look.

Aww Martin wot a video mucka really enjoyed that top work, that underpass was amazing to see 👍👍

The underpass was the highlight for me, especially the peril of wondering whether you would drop your phone 😀

Really enjoyed this video some fantastic finds, especially the underpass at Partington Station. Thanks Martin.

You've done it again Martin! Great video with loads of interesting photographs and maps, some drone footage courtesy of Paul and Rebecca (what a challenge on their hands!), and some perfectly chosen music to complement the whole production. I particularly love the inclusion of the shots of Mother Nature showing her beauty in the midst of such wonderful and historic remains. Please keep the videos coming, I love them all (and yes, I have almost watched them from top to tail!). Proper Good Job (sic.)!!

Thanks to you the amazing architecture here would be missed by us and again your enthusiasm is infectious and so beautifully described for us all to see. If not documented by you all this would be lost. Thankyou for sharing. Great work!

I've been along part of this line. And last time I went there in the very early 2000's the lower line from Glazebrook to the ship canal was still there, but it had been closed and lifted by 2003. The higher line over the ship canal has been closed and lifted much longer. I think there is still some well overgrown track in place on the Partington side leading down to Skelton junction near Altrincham.

You always explain so well where the line went and where from with the maps Martin. I'm a map freak myself (Never use a sat nav) so appreciate seeing how things fitted together. There used to be branch line off the now Severn Valley Railway in Worcestershire (runs now between Bridgenorth and Kidderminster) just past Bewdley that went through Stourport on Severn. Some of that line is still walkable , I used to do it years ago when I lived that way.

Another insite into our list heritage on the railways . Love these hidden gems been a Railway fan as you well know . You make some great videos & find some surprising stuff

Brilliant Martin another super find, the engineering and the subway what a sight.

That was fun! Amazing finds! Great production value! Well done on all facets.

Very nice well worth the wait love a bit of history.

Great video, the ship canal has so many interesting sites Latchford has a similar viaduct on the LNWR Stockport to Warrington railway which is now a part of the Trans-Pennine long distance path. access to the viaduct is obstructed for safety. The Latchford area also has working locks and a working swing bridge There seems to be currently an increase in the container ship traffic on the ship canal. Keep up the good work!.

Lovely vid Mart, great finds, structures and the subway absolutely fantastic 👍

Wonderful Martin, as always. Good luck to Paul and Rebecca in their quest. That subway was just marvelous! Thanks so much for sharing, a fascinating video.

Wow Martin you outdid yourself. Just love everything train and railway. Loved the bridge and oh those arches were fanbloodytastic,I so love the brickwork . All in all I think the best so far. I am following the Whitewicks journey too. It’s thru them I found you. So enjoying. Trying to catch up with your older videos

If I'd known you were filming there, I'd have called to say hello! You were about five miles from me! When you were on the high level over Manchester Road, did you notice there are TWO low-level bridges? One was the through line, and the other fed the industrial estate of steelworks, and co-op oil, soap and wine factories. Then, a bit further along is the old CLC line to Stockport, starting from Warrington Bank Quay Lower station, running through Latchford sidings (still in use), and ramping up to cross the Ship Canal at Thelwall after passing Latchford station. It goes on to Lymm, and apart from the closed bit from the sidings to the unsafe high bridge, is now a cycle-way. That bridge is five minutes walk from me! Bits of the original low-level can be found when the undergrowth permits. Another spur went through Glazebrook junction and station, to join the Liverpool and Manchester line.

Paul and Rebecca have just got another subscriber, talk about setting themselves a task! 7000 disused stations! Thanks Martin just loving this so much.

Terrific again, very interesting, thank you, Martin.

What a great video Martin really enjoyed it the music the editing fantastic, its amazing the workmanship what went in to the railways.

Great video again Martin enjoyed the tunnel at end brilliant 👌👌👌

Great video Martin, sad to see everything now when you see how it was. Thank you 👍

What a nice suprise at the end! Superb interesting and thanks for sharing, Martin! (-:

Another very nice and interesting video. Thank you guys!👍

Fascinating video Martin. I have often looked at that viaduct and marvelled at its Victorian splendour.

Wow that's absolutely amazing. I live in Partington and always wanted to see what was up there. keep up the brilliant videos

Just a few days ago, maybe even while you were there, I was driving past this viaduct and musing what an interesting structure to climb and abseil from. Nice video!

WoW! Three of my favourites in one video! Keep it up chaps, and chapess...

Amazing piece yet again. Love the drone views! Wouldn't fancy walking over the bridge, looks like it's been deserted for far longer than it has! Great stuff, really enjoyed. 😃

Such a fascinating walk. Really great post. Many thx..

Brilliant video, that underpass is fascinating.

Brilliant as always Martin, Thanks!!

Another cracking video guys , loved it all . So glad I found your channel Martin 👌🏼🧱👍🏼

Thank you guys,I lived in partington from fifty nine as a five year old till eighty one,when I moved to Devon with my young family,I remember as a ten year old boy,buying my ticket from partington to altrinchham to go ice scating,I walked under that lovely white tiled underpass which you put the camera down,and the ship canal and the viaduct was my adventure playground,we used to risk a five pound fine,by walking over the bridge to cadishead to save the threepenny ferry crossing so as to be able to buy sweets at irlam swimming pool,so verry dangerous but it was a adventure for us young kids,thanks again.

Fantastic work Martin. The music, and the aesthetics of the intro are superb.

Finding that underpass was brilliant !!

Never in the history of exploring underpasses has a Mobile Phone been so tightly held!!! Superb and thanks. My Grandad worked for Cheshire Lines for 2 years but their Safety Record scared him!! My Dad worked in Partington for several years in the early 1960's. Their safety record was little better!! David and Lily who returned to the area a month ago for the Oldham Model Engineer Exhibition.

Another magnificent vid. When will the powers realise and understand the value and wonder of Victorian industrial architecture? Great to see at least Irlam station has survived.

Hi Martin, yet another class A video, I really look forward to your new ones as I've now binge watched all the others lol. Fantastic, thanks for sharing. x