They call it Leeds City...

Post by **cnosni** » Wed 22 Feb, 2012 11:45 pm

Phill_dvsn wrote: The railway bridge over Water Lane is visible on the right to get your bearings. The shed like building on the left was part of Monksbridge. In use 1999-2001. I never knew about this,you learn something new every day

Phill_dvsn · Post by **Phill_dvsn** » Thu 23 Feb, 2012 12:45 am

Hi Barfly.It looks as if it was just one platform in use, the complications of adding a footbridge here obviously being the reason for that.This is the solitary platform on the Leeds avoiding line, the line besides the sidings and travelling crane. I've marked where the platform roughly stood in white on this image. If you look at the aerial image you can see the ends of the sidings have been levelled across with what looks like ballast. I've marked a line across in white. I would guess that is where they installed a temporary raised walkway/ramp across the tracks for passengers to catch the shuttle bus. Here's a shot for the likes of Jim and BigN to reminisce over!This 08 shunter has just passed the site where the temporary platform was. It's interesting to see the old disused tunnel under the main line and into Monksbridge works still survives on this 1989 photo.The shunter is on one of the Holbeck Tripping jobs (could be K61), Note the wrong line movement, the train will be most likely be heading for Hunslet

jim · Post by **jim** » Thu 23 Feb, 2012 10:13 am

If I recall correctly, the westernmost line of the west to south lines was lifted to allow the temporary platform to be built on the flat area remaining, leaving a single line for passenger trains and thus no need for a footbridge. The track was replaced after the platform was removed, but joining the second track at Engine Shed Junction to end in a single line connection to the main Leeds - Wakefield Kirkgate line.Both of the west to south tracks were until recently bi-directional, but looking at the google map link view that Phill posted the junctions at the west junction appear to have been relaid in recent times, so that bi-directionality may be more difficult at least for trains not from the Aire valley lines, which are themselves bi-directional. I also note that the connection to the remaining Whitehall Road sidings has been re-established.

BarFly · Post by **BarFly** » Thu 23 Feb, 2012 1:48 pm

Thanks Phil,Thought it was around there somewhere but, sadly, never ventured down to look.I think I shall have to be more nosy in future so that I don't miss things like is.

BIG N · Post by **BIG N** » Fri 24 Feb, 2012 12:23 am

Do you know, as an ex railway man and massive rail fan living in Leeds for over twenty years its to my utter shame I have to admit to never visiting Leeds Whitehall during its existance.I knew it was there, I knew it wasn't going to be there forever and I always intended popping up to get some piccys, just never got round to it.A lesson there maybe ??

BIG N · Post by **BIG N** » Fri 24 Feb, 2012 12:31 am

Jim's correct, the line the Class 08 is on in Phill's piccy was lifted during the history of leeds Whitehall to accomodate the platform and re-laid after the station was removed, if you look at the trackwork you'll notice the down line is much newer than the up at this point.Nice piccy by the way Phill, is it taken from the viaduct line ?

BarFly · Post by **BarFly** » Fri 24 Feb, 2012 12:36 am

BIG N wrote: Do you know, as an ex railway man and massive rail fan living in Leeds for over twenty years its to my utter shame I have to admit to never visiting Leeds Whitehall during its existance.I knew it was there, I knew it wasn't going to be there forever and I always intended popping up to get some piccys, just never got round to it.A lesson there maybe ?? I think it's a lesson for us all.We are all interested in Leeds and its history but we forget that history is happening all the time -- the odd extra station they had for a while is history I missed.

Phill_dvsn · Post by **Phill_dvsn** » Fri 24 Feb, 2012 1:07 am

I have a photo of the Whitehall Road crane herehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/phill_dvsn/259185302/I'd love to know how old it is, anyone any ideas?

jim · Post by **jim** » Fri 24 Feb, 2012 10:04 am

Fine picture of the crane Phill, and a couple of interesting comments appended. I seem to remember that the makers plate in the overhead cabin/crab bore the date 1935, and that the maker was William Arrol of Glasgow - but having outlived my guarantee (three score years and ten) my forgettory is now at its peak, and I might be thinking of a different crane entirely!

headingleylad · Post by **headingleylad** » Fri 24 Feb, 2012 12:28 pm

Hunslet Road Station has been a passenger station in the middle 1800s, it was opened by the Leeds and Derby Railway and then taken over by the Midland Railway, the passenger station closed when the link was put in from the midland line to Leeds Wellington Station. Leeds City was dropped was dropped in the early 1980s by British Rail to plain Leeds, Leeds City was adopted again by Railtrack in the late 1990s. Hull dropped paragon in the Beeching years and has never been reinstated. Sheffield Midland dropped Midland when Sheffield Victoria closed on the Great Central Line. Bradford Exchange changed its name to Bradford Interchange in the late 1980s.John