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Monday 26 December 2011

Old Railway Line


Today's view of the world of Ashton under Lyne shows this bridge that carries Cranbourne Road across an old railway line.

The railway line was the Oldham, Ashton and Guide Bridge Railway which opened in 1861 with stations at Ashton, Oldham Road (where Monk's Garage is) and at Park Bridge, where a 12-arch viaduct carried the line high above the Medlock Valley.

Passenger trains ceased in 1959 but the railway carried freight until 1967, after which it was dismantled. In recent years the trackbed has been given a good surface and is now a cycle way and foot path from Ashton to Park Bridge. The path starts at Turner Lane, not far from the town centre, and is a good and easy route out into the countryside.

Few of the people who drive or walk across the bridge on Cranbourne Road realise that they are crossing such a smart 3-arch brick viaduct.

I showed you a view of this bridge from the other side in 2008.

See Bird's Eye View of this location.

(Click photo for larger version. Press Back button to return here.)

"Old Railway Line" is my contribution to this week's "My World" feature. Please check out the other blogs participating in this week's My World.

11 comments:

  1. It is a pretty scene with the arched viaduct. Thanks for sharing your world today. Happy Holidays and Happy New Years to you!

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  2. The arches make it so beautiful! We too have some railway bridges built at this time, in India. They are all still in use.

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  3. That is a lovely old bridge with an interesting history. Nice capture! I enjoyed looking at the Bird's Eye View of it.

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  4. I will never understand how people can desecrate such a great old structure with graffiti. It lends so much interest to the foot/cycle path.

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  5. A historical scene :0) Lovely shot :0) Have a nice day :0)

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  6. Marvelous, I well remember the railway line and the travelling of trains on the line. Of course, I would because I'm very old!

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  7. Lots of these old railway walks around the country,they make for a pleasent walk.

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  8. If you're old, then so am I, Ashtonian!!! I was allowed to catch the train at Oldham Rd station to Fairbottom (a halt) just before Park Bridge, where my great aunt Mary Ann Spear (nee Goodwin) lived at the cottage next to Fairbottom Methodist Chapel. I must have been about 9 or 10 years old. Once when trying to get off the train at Oldham Rd, I panicked because I couldn't lower the window- you needed to lean out to open the door from the outside. Fortunately a guy on the platform noticed me and helped me out !

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  9. been along this route many times like to go along the full length of it on my mobility scooter but the barriers stop me getting through i can understand why

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