Leeds Railway Station's 'Lost World'

[Cardiarms]

The Leodis bit on the canal basis has a description and a link to the 1847 map. It looks like there were gardens attached as well.http://www.leodis.net/discovery/discove ... _543316067

[jim]

You dirty little devil.............I'll get my coat.

[Chrism]

The Canal Basin.The Ordnance survey map of 1847 shows us the waterfront area in great detail. The Canal Basin was now connected to the river at its northwestern end. A lock known as the Monk Pit lock, along with a small section of canal (the Monk Pit branch) was built, to provide access between the Canal Basin and wharves above the Bondman Dam. Later, this became very important in providing coal to the power station at Whitehall Road. The Leeds and Liverpool Canal Office, and the stone bridge over the canal were built in 1841. The bridge provided access from the canal wharves to the mills and factories south of the canal.The map shows the Waterloo Swimming Baths, built in 1833-34. The building was designed by Chantrell, and according to Parson's was a fine building. 'The interior contains two complete suits of apartments, those in the west wing being appropriated to the ladies, and those in the east to the gentlemen. The water is derived from an excellent spring at a distance of ninety yards from the surface, and the baths consist of cold and shower, and Matlock and Buxton baths, at their respective temperatures'.

[jim]

Off we go again.The tubular message system was the same as those used by large department stores for central change giving.The change (or message) was popped into a cylindrical container,about the size of a large soup can,and there would be a second tube for return messages.The station system certainly served the upper floor of the booking office and"Control" on the top floor of Aire Street office block.I assume there would be a route to the Inspectors' office and probably others I don't know about.The floor levels within the central arches all had a three or four foot drop somewhere along them,as Neville Street descends noticeably,so Dark Neville Street is at a lower level.This drop occurred at different distances along different arches,and not always coincident with a partition wall,meaning that some floor plans were "interesting" to say the least.On one occasion during the period when most arches were unlit I came across a distressed and shaken lady who had got lost and fallen over one of these traps for the unwary.Back to Sandford,Street,and the cross arch,to the left is barred and gated,likewise the arch in front.Ahead can be seen a brick infill and in it a small doorway also bricked up.I think there was another doorway here but my view was blocked by parked vans.In the 5os and 60s direct access to a ledge above the roaring torrent rushing through the river arches was here,leading to an unbelievably rickety footbridge across the river,with missing planks.This led to the angled platform seen from across the river in the westernmost arch,and via cross-arches,to the lock. to be continued......

[chameleon]

Jim mate, you've provided more information here than we could have trawled in a month of Sundays. You are truly a marvelous (albeit until now a secret) find, please don't desert us will you??Don't suppose you know anything about carved skulls do you?     

[jim]

Sorry Chameleon,never got my NVQs in trepanning.......seriously,I appreciate the kind words which let me know I'm not terminally boring 100% of threadwatchers.To continue (oh no,he's off again!),the Bridge of Terror was roughly at the same height and on the same alignment as the modern steel replacement which can be seen from the riverside walk which runs parallel with Aire Street.It was closer to the arch piers and,of course,went right across instead of heading up to what is now but then would be the parcels area.Whilst looking over the site I noticed that the grubby white wall which carries the steps on the riverside walk is actually built on the foundations of the workshops where I first worked as an apprentice in Leeds following a brief sojourn at the Plant in Doncaster.This led me to wonder if ther would be interest in a future thread on stations,goods yards,loco sheds,and their associated machinery in the Leeds area.Vote here folks!Back to the riverside.I had a closer look at the canal tunnel exit.The ramp referred to is certainly there,but it is concrete and therefore modern,as I surmised.The beam,however,is cast iron and has huge square pattern foundation bolt nuts and is certainly 19th century.There is no sign or trace of any attachment,but presumably it had a specific purpose when it was installed.For what it's worth,my guess is that it could have some connection with the difficulty of getting a boat across and upstream on a fairly fast flowing river with a dangerous weir downstream,no towpath unpowered barges,and only men or horses to help.Its the old imagination,folks!More next time

[chameleon]

' wonder if ther would be interest in a future thread on stations,goods yards,loco sheds,and their associated machinery in the Leeds'I can think of a few who would jump at that but no way until we've (you've) exhausted every nook and cranny of this one

[jim]

Aaargh!Sack the proof-reader.Line 9,please read:-.......what is now THE CAR PARK but then.......I used to think I had Zeimhalzers,but it must be cured because I can,t remember what it is.

[buffaloskinner]

Went to look at the canal tunnel from the River Aire end today, I was hanging over that much trying to see behind the barrier that people were walking past in the car park looking at me strangely.Anyway if I had have been 10 years younger I would have climbed down the embankment and had a good nosey (I probably could have got down but the climb back up would have been a bit dodgy.Anyway it still looks as though the canal exists (from the short section I could see), there was water and seemed to be a narrow path of sorts.I dont have an inkling as to what that metal beam across the entrance was for, but below it are some "holes" in the entrance wall which could have been for some manovoure.We need someone younger to get down there and have a good look.PHILL where are you?Oh and thanks Jim, I do look forward to your short stories and facts everyday

[dogduke]

Re JIM @1620 post.I remember the tubular message system in Control on the 6th floorof the Aire street offices.There was no doubting its arrival !Friday afternoon around 4.30was a sight to behold,staffin the trains office had sat on traffic alterations all week,done nothingand then 'wired out'the problem - CONTROL TO ARRANGE.Where we got the train crews from,additional signal box openings for diversions and connectional margins for diverted and therefore delayed services God only knows.This attitude from a small section of staff probably was the cause ofthe old BR loss of credibility.