SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

The viaduct that runs through Holbeck and out towards Wortley is imposing, looking on Google the line seems to now run out on Geldard Road and a track drops to a "Farmers Gate" just below the junction with Lowfields Road.Has anyone on here ever walked into town on it?? or out to Elland Road??? I suspect that the "authorities" would have a fit but it looks to me a tempting "industrial history" walk, like walking the canals somewhat!! Thoughts trespassers and railway buffs??

I think Phill walked it a couple of years ago. He posted pics of it on here, Parksider.

Hi Parksider, yes you just can't go for a stroll along there really, the viaduct does have 'defences' that need to be conquered lol We did a very 'tongue in cheek' video from up there.It can be seen herehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb-GjRZ6AN0I also have a set of pics up there herehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/phill_dvsn/sets/7 ... 84/detail/

Phill_dvsn wrote: Hi Parksider, yes you just can't go for a stroll along there really, the viaduct does have 'defences' that need to be conquered lol We did a very 'tongue in cheek' video from up there.It can be seen herehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb-GjRZ6AN0I also have a set of pics up there herehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/phill_dvsn/sets/7 ... 84/detail/ Hi Phill, seen the stills before but not the video - cracker

chameleon wrote: Phill_dvsn wrote: Hi Parksider, yes you just can't go for a stroll along there really, the viaduct does have 'defences' that need to be conquered lol We did a very 'tongue in cheek' video from up there.It can be seen herehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb-GjRZ6AN0I also have a set of pics up there herehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/phill_dvsn/sets/7 ... 84/detail/ Hi Phill, seen the stills before but not the video - cracker We were just having a bit of a laugh there Still it gives you a good idea of the hidden world up there!Cheers

Phill_dvsn wrote: The hidden world up there! I couldn't think of a better phrase if I lived to be 100.Same walking the canal - it seems you are miles away from the busy arterial roads that run only yards away.....

Phill_dvsn wrote: Hi Parksider, yes you just can't go for a stroll along there really, the viaduct does have 'defences' that need to be conquered I had a look again trying to piece together how the lines all run around Holbeck.The striking thing about the Leeds/Wortey viaduct is it seems to be made out of "engineering bricks". I was at an old mill in which these bricks (a dark blue/grey colour) were in the walls around windows and the builder said they were good for water resistancy. Unlike the messy looking red brick viaducts, the Holbeck one looks in good order.Several of the arches have been used to house industrial units so it seems to have been put to good purpose with many of these still inhabited by businesses.Cross checking with the 1906 map I note that in the triangle where Murray built steam hall a siding came down from the main line, then backed up under the other main line embankment to feed Monk Bridge Iron works. Many people will have seen the rails in the car park post demolition. Having a look for this on the Doncasters side at the back of the car park you can see the arch for this that is bricked up. I feel however it must have been a very steep drop down into the triangle though - any buffs any thoughts?Further down whitehall road from the old central station arches and between two industrial buildings you can see a large stone arch through the main line embankment I assume went through to Holbeck station. Another major route to nowhere nowadays! Making the mistake this was still "Sutton Street" I drove down it only to find that I was driving through a factory yard!!!

Hi Parksider.The LNWR seemed to favour those black engineering bricks, they used them extensively, the Crigglestone viaduct is the same brick.If you look at this abandoned LNWR line you can see just how much they used that engineering brick, the Crigglestone tunnel is the samehttp://www.lostrailwayswestyorkshire.co.uk/Roy ... own.htmYes your right about the line into Monksbridge looking a bit tricky to navigate, it was fitted into a small area. I remember the tunnel into the works was still there in the early 80's (it was blocked off at the other side though, no trace of lines could be seen. It came off the line on the left of this picture here http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobthelomo ... 6752765/It ran through a tunnel out of shot to the right. It was quite steep yes.If you go to the library and find a book called 'Leeds memories no3' it shows you a good picture how it worked, Just to show that it was a tricky line, the picture is of a derailed train there A good map of the area is herehttp://www.lostrailwayswestyorkshire.co.uk/ima ... 205.jpgP.s the Holbeck viaduct line used to run to Huddersfield, not London as it did when it closed in 1988. The line was altered along with the new Leeds station in 1967. It used to run where symphony kitchens now stands, it met the other Manchester line near Dragon bridge.    

I knew i'd seen it somewhere. You can make out where the top of the tunnel was on this shot by the girder, you can see it had been infilled by then. http://snipurl.com/ufgjcI seem to remember there was a hole big enough to go down there, I was too scared in those days though haha     There's even less chance of seeing it these days. That section of track was a notorious bottleneck, they dumped more soil there to make an embankement wide enough for 6 tracks when they modernised the station.    

This cracking aerial shot should answer all your question Parksider http://snipurl.com/ufgpr