Bridge Buttresses on Old Pool Bank Road/Leeds Road

Si · Post by Si » Mon 11 Apr, 2011 8:30 am

Si wrote: Keg wrote: Was there a Pool station, or are you thinking of the Station At Arthington which is still there AFAIK, yes, there was a station at Pool. ...and here it is, circa 1960.The arrows show where the incline and associated stone-dressing shed were.The picture was taken from the Pool Bank bridge. The bridge carrying Old Pool Bank can be seen in the distance. (Click on the red cross to view.)

Si · Post by Si » Mon 11 Apr, 2011 8:37 am

Here's a 1902 map showing the station and the quarry branch incline.

Si · Post by Si » Mon 11 Apr, 2011 8:50 am

This is Lea, the 0-4-0 steam engine used at the quarry on top of the Chevin (picture taken c.1910), as mentioned in the text above.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Mon 11 Apr, 2011 3:10 pm

They are fascinating images and map Si. There were certainly lots of tracks at Pool Station in the circa 1960 image.

jim · Post by **jim** » Mon 11 Apr, 2011 5:16 pm

Hi Si, I've been following this thread with interest for some time, as I was sure that the bridge over Leeds Road was still extant, although in very derelict condition, in the 1940s. From 1942-49 I lived in Ben Rhydding, and when we didn't travel to Leeds via Guiseley we passed the site on the Otley/Bramhope route. On a hunch I checked the Old-Maps resource - and the bridge, or at least major parts of its road crossing, is clearly shown in situ on the 1956 map and all previous versions. By the 1964 map, the bridge has gone, but it would seem that there was at any rate sufficient structure remaining for it to appear on the O.S. sheets well into the 1950s, and possibly into the early 1960s. Interestingly the earlier maps show a Bench Mark at 542.75 on the western abutment, whilst the later maps show one on the east, with a measurement of 542.99. I keep finding that ancient half memories have a tendency to turn out to be accurate. Now if I could only remember what happened over the last few weeks..............

Si · Post by Si » Sat 23 Apr, 2011 4:37 pm

Hi Jim.I found this photo in a book.The caption reads,"Bar House, Pool Bank. Chevin stone had a market in nineteenth-century docks, harbours and the foundations of public works. From 1880 stone was carried down a railway incline to be crane-loaded at Pool station. The line was not used after the First World War and the bridge was removed for scrap in 1941."

jim · Post by **jim** » Sat 23 Apr, 2011 7:19 pm

So perhaps we should regard that published 1941 date with suspicion Si? I am convinced that there was some remaining structure across the road well into the 1950s, and possibly beyond, and the OS maps seem to support that.

Si · Post by Si » Sun 24 Apr, 2011 2:11 pm

Err...any chance of posting said map(s), Jim?

jim · Post by **jim** » Sun 24 Apr, 2011 3:04 pm

Hi Si, you of all people should be aware of my inadequacies in posting images! To examine the maps Google "old-maps", enter co-ordinates 423700, 444300, and check 1934 1-2500, 1956 1-10560, and 1964 1-1-2500, using the enhanced zoom facility.Happy poring!

Si · Post by Si » Wed 18 May, 2011 2:36 pm

Here's another (unfortunately undated) image of the bridge. The caption once again states that the line was not used after the First World War, and that it was demolished for scrap in 1941.