Middleton Railway.. the line north

Brunel · Post by **Brunel** » Tue 14 Apr, 2009 1:03 am

Whilst out and about in Hunslet today, met a chap and we got chatting about the Middleton Railway and I mentioned that I would like to trace the old line that ran north to the river.He mentioned that it still is possible to see where the line ran, and he said he would show me what he thought was the route.descriptions and details will be added: http://snipurl.com/ftx2qIf you go to the M.R. you will see traces of the line in the car park, and map of the route is in the cafe/ information centre.It is possible to trace the route on Google Maps or Earth.

Bramley4woods · Post by **Bramley4woods** » Tue 14 Apr, 2009 3:34 am

Brunel wrote: Whilst out and about in Hunslet today, met a chap and we got chatting about the Middleton Railway and I mentioned that I would like to trace the old line that ran north to the river.He mentioned that it still is possible to see where the line ran, and he said he would show me what he thought was the route.descriptions and details will be added: http://snipurl.com/ftx2qIf you go to the M.R. you will see traces of the line in the car park, and map of the route is in the cafe/ information centre.It is possible to trace the route on Google Maps or Earth. The first route went down Old Run Road to the River Aire at Thwaite Gate. Of course his was long before the railway went through and Balm Road sidings were built. Until recently this route was still open as far as Balm Road and the Middleton Railway earned a good income taking scrap metal from Robinson's and Birdsell's (next door) to Balm road for transfer to BR.The later route went down Kidacre Street and on to Cassons Close and never went any further. Eventually it terminated at Kidacre Street where there was a small engine house.More here :www.yorkshireindexers.co.uk/forums/arch ... t-676.html

The Parksider · Post by **The Parksider** » Tue 14 Apr, 2009 9:47 am

I remember going to a match at Parkside c.1971 that was postponed and we walked the miggy railway back to Leeds as best we could.From the saxby and farmer iron gates at Moor road the line was fenced up to hunslet moor where there was a coal staith. That's gone now.Over the road towards the Craven Gate the track bed ran through a corporation depot again gone because of the motorway.However to the right of the craven gate (still there) it ran to the main line where it ran across/over on a bridge coming out at crossing gates on Jack Lane.That bit especially is still there although the bridge is gone (but traces can be seen) the railings, wall, gate and cinder track bed are there. Would love to see that preserved as essentially it's the only bit of the original line.Stand at the gates and look north across Jack Lane - there's a large gate in a large brick wall and the road inside that gateway curves - this was the pottery yard and is the exact line of the track.The track line continues up to Kidacre street but very little trace is left if any and the old staithes (piccys on Leodis) were on the grassy area next to the deadend of present day kidacre street.The extension onto Casson Close was lost many many years ago, no trace at all. I'd keep that last little bit of the railway for sure.