Exploring the Abandoned Lydgate Tunnel and Delph Donkey Railway

Рет қаралды 22,655

Күн бұрын

As a thank you to everyone for watching my videos, I wanted to show you the abandoned railway tunnel that was on my doorstep as a kid - the long and glorious Lydgate Tunnel in Saddleworth.
Deep beneath a hill separating town from country, Lydgate Tunnel is part of the railway once known as the Delph Donkey line, joining Oldham town centre to the tiny villages on the edge of the Pennines. Quite a feat of engineering in its day, the now neglected tunnel is slowly crumbling on its edges and slowly flooding in the middle as the years go by (despite efforts to introduce drainage).
Its the first time I've been through this tunnel in 25 years so I was especially excited to explore it again, but also to venture along the entire line into Delph, where the remains of Bailey Woolen Mill sit in ruins.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
06:44 Lydgate Tunnel
20:55 The other side of the hill
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Пікірлер: 155

@likeher9 2 жыл бұрын

This, and you should be a weekly feature on TV. Your films are very slick, and you are an absolute natural presenter. Thanks for all your hard work in bringing this brilliance to us. Cheers Ollie Daron

@BeeHereNowuk 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Daron

@scottc1589 2 жыл бұрын

Brilliantly said! It's what I attempted to say in my comment, but better.

@somebody9825 2 жыл бұрын

10:42

@johnthomas5966 2 жыл бұрын

The reason we subscribe is because your vlogs are really interesting with your own special style

@MotoCoe Жыл бұрын

We must have crossed paths a few times if you were around the bricky and tunnel in the 90s. Moved out of Grotton at the end of the 90s at 15 but have some of the best memories growing up there and working in Neil's shop on the main road when the pub was a pub and not a coop. And when the kids from Holts would come and nick your bike with impunity 😆

@kevinjackson7340 Жыл бұрын

You come across as a genuinely enthusiastic, down to earth bloke, can`t ask for more than that.

@stuartbuckley5810 2 жыл бұрын

Very nostalgic. Now living as far from Lydgate as you can get - New Zealand. My wife (nee Woodhead) lived at the White Hart , Lydgate for 15 years until we were married in 1966. Next to the pub was one of the ventilation shafts. I lived at Nicker Brow, Dobcross, and hundreds of times watched the Delph Donkey as it left the mainline to go to and from Delph. My wife, as a child , was on the last journey of the train and coincidentally so was my father who as a councillor on Saddleworth Council was part of the official party! The Queen Mother's Royal Train once spent the night stopped on the line at Dobcross. Many thanks.

@Karen-tm1ip 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for the video. I used to live in Lydgate around 1968 at 2 poplar avenue. Played in the fields all the time.

@stephenjackson4516 2 жыл бұрын

I used to go through this tunnel as a kid in the 80’s. You used to be able to get in from the Grasscroft end but had to climb down the steep embankment. We used to go through with flaming oil soaked rags on sticks - which probably wasn’t a great idea. I remember well the orange mud. Great to watch as not much has changed.

@deepcuts2 2 жыл бұрын

Fascinating, and a link to my own childhood that was dominated by the presence of rail and the dying age of steam.

@seanoneill5969 2 жыл бұрын

Just keep on making more of these videos. They're a great record and of interest to those of us who respect heritage and would like to see it preserved. Very nicely presented.

@simonfunwithtrains1572 2 жыл бұрын

just watched this today, at the time of making, you were at 10k subscribers, I see you are now at 15.8k! So very well deserved, your films are amazing, they combine fellowship, fun, education and a reminder of all the folks that have gone before us and contributed their 'blood, sweat and tears', well done Ollie, and thank you. J & S

@lindsaypeterholden2701 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent Video and History. My Grand Father worked at Glodwick Rd and Clegg St Stations.The Family moved to the NEW Abbeyhills Estate in about 1937.My Father and his Twin Brother born 1922, They came out of the Army and Navy in 1945.My Father worked at Measurements(actually began work there in 1937 up till in closed in 1987 ) and took the Train to Measurements every Day.My Uncle, became a Fireman on the Old Donkey based at Lees Sheds.He used to "Toot the Whistle" each time He passed Measurements.I attended Saddleworth School(Uppermill) untill 1968 and I think there was a Boy and his Sister called Lofthouse who lived in the Station House at Grotton!!!!!

@TheAfroGuitar Жыл бұрын

Brilliant video Ollie. I also grew up in Grotton and use to explore around this tunnel as a kid... and we spent our summers in the brickworks quarry biking! Great to see this gem of a forgotten railway line and tunnel give the tribute it deserves.

@philmuskett265 2 жыл бұрын

Very interesting, mate. You walked under where my wife used to live more than 60 years ago on Stockport Road, Lydgate. Well done.

@socklesslad 2 жыл бұрын

I'm feeling left out - there wasn't any disused railway infrastructure like that where I was growing up. There was a building site at the end of the road for a couple of years but I digress! All that orange mud reminds me a bit of Harecastle South.

@AlRaw94 2 жыл бұрын

Having always been a saddleworth lad i always find its a good day going along the old railways and tunnels with a camera for a day and finding some great photos!

@lightplane 2 жыл бұрын

I'm also from Oldham. Born in Glodwick and lived on Turner Street. I used to play on Manner Flats and the old railway embankment near John Street. The old Lees station platforms we're still there back then, and the cinder track bed. In Canada now but have found memories of Oldham. Love your channel and these videos.

@paulmills6957 Ай бұрын

Great video being local from Moorside always great to learn more about local history 👍

@kipsome45 2 жыл бұрын

Despite being very wet, Lydgate Tunnel is in much better condition than I’d expected. Great video, thanks.

@19bob53 2 жыл бұрын

My wife had relatives in Delph when she was younger and used to talk about going on the Delph donkey. Note the mention of Sam Bamford, the site of his weavers cottage/house is across the road from us in Middleton, remember it before it was demolished.

@seany84uk 2 жыл бұрын

Ive said a few times this route would have been very useful today to add extra capacity to the Huddersfield line if the Oldham loop was kept open also. I also think a station at Lees / reopening it today would have been a good aid for the surrounding areas.

@markfaz8689 2 жыл бұрын

Ask some TV companies if they can use your videos as I think you have great presenting skills and the research you put into these videos are fantastic. 👍

@grahamholden3537 Жыл бұрын

Great video , my late uncle was a stoker on the donkey,and my dad worked at measurements, and got off at measurements halt from Glodwick

@SuperEmpirical 2 жыл бұрын

That was like reliving my childhood.

@lightplane 2 жыл бұрын

Also. My grandma used to live on breeze hill and you could see the church and row of houses at Lydgate. The vent for the tunnel was behind the church. She said you could see smoke from trains coming up and it looked like it was coming out of the church spire, making the church and row of houses look like a train. As a kid we always called the church and houses the Lydgate Train.

@johnprice5784 2 жыл бұрын

Try looking for the old Micklehurst loop line that ran from Stalybridge to Diggle via Staley & Millbrook - Micklehurst - Friezland - Uppermill. That could make a nice video as there were lots of old bits of infrastructure still around thirty years ago, including the station house/ platform in Uppermill itself. Love the work, keep them coming as you go places I can no longer reach due to disabilities. I go past the mill at Delph three or four times a week at least, the little sod who burned it down "for fun" should have been flogged.

@philhumphreys5096 2 жыл бұрын

Brilliant video, well researched and presented. You are a natural presenter. Keep up the good work.

@platty-wv8uk 6 ай бұрын

My grandparents live around the corner, and my grandad always took me to the opening and we always wondered if there was anything left inside the tunnel.... i would love to walk the tunnel

@JulianBeckton 2 жыл бұрын

Really interesting - thanks for doing this. I grew up in Grotton myself - I'm just old enough to remember the last few weeks of trains on the line. Actually I suspect the trains I saw were mainly engineering trains taking up the tracks. Shame really. Still the old line with all its derelict structures became a great playground for us kids! We all told each other the station house was a haunted house - it did have a very gothic look before it got renovated. It does seem a pity that the tunnel can't be reused as a cycle track or something, but I think it's probably too wet and too far gone to be renovated now. For the person who asked below, I'm fairly sure that the B&W picture at 05:27 is Brookside Avenue under construction. Thanks again for posting. Now to check out the rest of your vids.

@jonathanpileckis3877 2 жыл бұрын

Great vid. Grew in Grasscroft so we used to explore the other end of the Groton tunnel.

@calvers01 2 жыл бұрын

Lived in Grotton - good memories. Good video.

@FredWilbury 2 жыл бұрын

So glad I found your channel another enjoyable video great history thanks ps great footage for railway modelling 👌😎

@thehowveryinterestingradio6227 2 жыл бұрын

Love the Ghostbusters 2 reference plus the shirt! Another brilliant tunnel video Ollie!

@BeeHereNowuk 2 жыл бұрын

Haha thanks mate!

@grahamrobinson3715 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video. Love the channel. Always a great mix of well-researched factual information and your personal reactions, reflections and memories. Thanks for sharing.

@jbconno 2 жыл бұрын

Very interesting indeed, currently sat in my lounge in Grotton looking across at The White Hart at Lydgate and always wondered where the tunnel ends are. Keep up the great videos.

@barrysteven5964 2 жыл бұрын

Am I your first Russian subscriber? I love your videos.

@BeeHereNowuk 2 жыл бұрын

I'm not sure but you're very welcome!!

@kikass666 2 жыл бұрын

My son lives just above this next to white heart. Great tunnel, I was told be a local that Lydgate tunnel was in West Yorkshire when it was built and closed. This old timer told me about when he went to bed in one county and woke up in another. He was still upset about it !

@tikkathreebarrels 2 жыл бұрын

I haven't before heard you allude to getting past fences to get into disused tunnels but well done on another fascinating video.

@martinmcsherry1303 2 жыл бұрын

Brilliant video. Keep up the good work. And keep them coming :)

@2e0btx 2 жыл бұрын

Just to let you know I've binge-watched all your videos, like others have said your a natural presenter, and with a brill sense of Humour I grew up in Eccles and messed about on the ship canal, and the Bridgwater , love the content, on a side note I've been off work for 9 weeks with a bit of a breakdown going on and you really have helped to get me back on my feet, besides if I didn't watch your content it would have been Homes under the hammer .... Thanks again and keep up the good work

@BeeHereNowuk 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks very much. That means a lot. I'm glad your enjoy the vids 👍

@JoJo-yt1ys 2 жыл бұрын

Love your videos sir. So wholesome to me. Keep up the cracking work x

@thoughtsonfitness3249 2 жыл бұрын

I don’t miss walking in sludge …. It’s an active tunnel, but if you get a TVP… Corby Tunnel …. I call it ‘Wet and Dry’…. 😉

@marklawson8346 9 ай бұрын

Great and interesting video Ollie 👍🏻

@petersimms4982 2 жыл бұрын

All the resources and specialist people the bbc have and they can’t even create anything half as tremendous as you have. Give yourself a good pat on the back . Brilliant:)

@BeeHereNowuk 2 жыл бұрын

Wow thanks very much

@vickyking3408 7 ай бұрын

Very interesting stuff you do

@barrydevonshire9749 2 жыл бұрын

I love the music you use

@scottc1589 2 жыл бұрын

You're closing in on 12,000 subscribers bee-cause you do great work! Your vlog is interesting, educational and fun to watch.

@InfernoTuna 2 жыл бұрын

Fantastic videos. I love the bits of history you add in

@BeeHereNowuk 2 жыл бұрын

Cheers thanks

@stevenstopford9847 2 жыл бұрын

Fantastic interesting video thanks for sharing 👍

@basfinnis 2 жыл бұрын

I thought it said you grew up in then read it properly, doh 😀 Looks amazing. The amount of skilled Labour that went into building them! Thanks

@vitopr76 2 жыл бұрын

Great vid as allways keep up the good work love the history you give old maps etc 👌

@simonrichardson5077 2 жыл бұрын

nice work,thanks lad

@20PhantoM07 2 жыл бұрын

Enjoyed this one mate I loved the Ghostbusters bit lol I went into a similar tunnel recently here in Wales it was awesome you’d have loved it. The Mill you shown us at the end was fascinating too.

@BeeHereNowuk 2 жыл бұрын

Cheers thank you!

@Duranie9 2 жыл бұрын

Got to have my late night disused railways fix. Thanks this was very enjoyable. 🚂 🙂

@andrewmarsden9486 2 жыл бұрын

I live in the USA now, spent my childhood always playing out on that railway between clarksfield and Lees back in the 70s.

@Joemakesthings 2 жыл бұрын

Really interesting video, keep up the great work.

@TroyTempest0 2 жыл бұрын

another great video lad - really loved it...

@Cowley46 2 жыл бұрын

Enjoyed that, very interesting.

@easytiger652 2 жыл бұрын

Keep exploring.👍

@limeykl 2 жыл бұрын

Wythenshawe born but living in Florida now…love your videos thanks!

@mikeclarke3882 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for that Ollie, as always very interesting, a bit cheeky, and tonnes of info. Love the Brass Band soundtrack! Stay happy and healthy!

@rubbishsignup 2 жыл бұрын

Another great upload.

@simonbradshaw3708 2 жыл бұрын

Some more railway heritage videos would be really interesting. Thank you for sharing your adventures.

@francismewton3276 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for a wonderful place and video

@peterbrameld696 2 жыл бұрын

A great video, magic how do you suddenly appeared in the tunnel despite the fence! Well done a victory for common sense.

@BeeHereNowuk 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@kippen64 2 жыл бұрын

Discovered your channel today and have already happily watched a few of your videos.

@rubbershorts999 2 жыл бұрын

Another fascinating video. Thank you Ollie. Your videos are fantastic

@suesmith4366 2 жыл бұрын

Loved this very interesting, don’t know much about the other side of the Pennines but learning fast. Not missing going through the tunnel though 😮 and to go all that way to a ten foot drop 😱 amazing to see the nature taking over in the tunnel😎

@philcarter2577 2 жыл бұрын

thanks for video.when i was a kid i had a tunnel a mile from where i lived (Baynards,surrey)and visited it last year.It brought back happy memories for me.funny how most have ghosts attached.

@chargeriderepeat7024 2 жыл бұрын

Great stuff. Those overhead vents stir some discomfort in my mind as you pass under them.

@Royal_Mistress27 2 жыл бұрын

I absolutely love these videos do much taking a trip down memory lane thank you buddy

@damedavidfrith55 2 жыл бұрын

Ye what you produce is good quality and very interesting and can see your enjoyment shines through

@mikesquire6641 2 жыл бұрын

I'm from Lydgate, born '53, and we used to walk through as a bit of a dare whilst at St Anne's school (still trains in then!). Don't remember meeting your mum though! I always thought the Delph Donkey was the name of an engine.

@bryan3550 2 жыл бұрын

Fascinating stuff, Ollie! Just love the way you manage to re-materialise beyond locked gates and fences... 🪄

@mrquimshaw 2 жыл бұрын

Nice work

@garethparr9482 2 жыл бұрын

Great video pal. Love Victorian railway architecture

@mal_752 2 жыл бұрын

Very interesting video. Great editing 👏👏👏👏

@BeeHereNowuk 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much 👍👍

@wonkdonk3844 2 жыл бұрын

Ahh home sweet home.. Bee Here Now, Grotton/springhead where my stomping grounds growing up (now live NE Scotland). yes we was in the same year at school.. i last walked through the tunnel about 3 days before they installed the fence so yh 25+ years ago... the right side of the portal (grotton side) not looking to good! Gg on the subs! your vids are very educational and fun to watch!

@cierancoupe244 2 жыл бұрын

I'm from around Saddleworth and had no clue that tunnel existed. Cool video!

@iancropper8356 Жыл бұрын

I think you should look at the Royton link. I used to walk to work down the disused trackline.

@simonballard6413 2 жыл бұрын

I really like your videos - particularly the tunnel ones! You never let them get boring, either. More, please!

@tremensdelirious Жыл бұрын

Tunnels should be boring *gets coat and leaves*

@mikehallows354 2 жыл бұрын

Very interesting mate

@jonnygaynon8861 2 жыл бұрын

Great video. Just moved back to the area, will have a mooch round this route mysen!

@BeeHereNowuk 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. Good luck mate 👍👍

@ianslater5550 2 жыл бұрын

Delph station used to house a small private collection of locos and rolling stock. I remember seeing it there probably late 60s/early 70s.

@turnerthemanc 2 жыл бұрын

23:49 walked here loads of times and didnt know it was the delph donkey line. This bridge and buttresses are at the very back of Newbank Garden centre car park. There is a nice walk up on the railway, or below to Uppermill centre along the canal and cross the river on the stepping stones.

@Davejezz 2 жыл бұрын

Another great video Ollie, thanks for that. Any news of a trip to see Lockwood viaduct in Huddersfield?

@laurenceskinnerton73 11 ай бұрын

Interesting.

@hyperballadbradx6486 Жыл бұрын

Do you have a skeleton key or something?? Haha - great videos. Just watched the Oldham one too

@CharpyTheHedgehog 2 жыл бұрын

Ollie a video idea could be to do the meaning and history of Manchester slang words like ginnel or yonner. A bit like you did in the Manchester place name video! :)

@rontanser9369 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much that was very interesting you get to see places that’s off the beaten track, Many congratulations on getting did you say 10,000 subscribers , and as regards your age You still only look as though you’re in your early 30s so you’re doing well there as well

@BeeHereNowuk 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks very much!

@yungpep 2 жыл бұрын

Hitchhikers reference 👍🏻

@markcharles3969 2 жыл бұрын

I do hope you let people know where you are going...if you come a cropper in one of these ...?.anyway, another great vid and loved the dedication at the end

@MrCyberry 2 жыл бұрын

Hi I love your videos and find them really interesting.. Do you worry about meeting gangs/tramps etc when you are exploring some of the places you go are pretty remote.

@BeeHereNowuk 2 жыл бұрын

Cheers thanks. Erm yes I do sometimes but I think I'm pretty careful about looking around

@BuzbyWuzby 2 жыл бұрын

Fantastically curved bridge = a cyclic arch

@jetsons101 2 жыл бұрын

Olli if you enjoy the work you do it's not work. Love the "Rag-Time music at 1:50 Maybe include some pic's of yourself as a kid running around the county side. Great use of B&W photos to help tell the story, thanks. Is that big pool at 5:30 still there? ""It's all fenced up, lets see if we can get in"" Priceless...... Just think of all the work to quarry, cut/shape, transport, dig and then set the stone/bricks, amazing......and how many tunnels were built like that? This was a GEM, thanks for the hours of work you put into you videos for us to view.

@BeeHereNowuk 2 жыл бұрын

Cheers Mike. You're always full of nice compliments.

@jetsons101 2 жыл бұрын

@@BeeHereNowuk They are well earned.....

@2H80vids 2 жыл бұрын

Another excellent episode, very interesting.😁👍 If I might make a suggestion: would it be possible to put captions on the old b+w photos? Nothing complicated, just the location would help. It seems a shame, going to the trouble of researching/finding these gems, then leaving us to guess the locations.😁 Just a thought. Cheers for now, Dougie.

@BeeHereNowuk 2 жыл бұрын

Yes I will start doing that I think