The Halifax High Level Railway

I previously did a post on the Halifax High Level Railway  on the 2nd January 2017 featuring a set of pictures I had taken whilst walking the remains of the route in February 2014. I had planned to re walk the route in the early part of this year but recent events with regards to the Covid 19 outbreak have ended those thoughts for now. The reason I had planned to walk the route is that in recent years I have acquired a number of pictures of the route from the days of operation or just after closure and I thought a combination of before and after pictures would be of interest. I recently put together a short video for YouTube of what is like a virtual walk along the line from the terminus at St Pauls Station, King Cross to Shay Lane, Holmfield where the line met the Queensbury line. It is put together featuring old pictures of the line and the set I took in 2014 in a order from the 2 places named above.

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The Halifax High Level Railway was first planned in 1884 where it was envisaged the line would run from the Queensbury Line at Holmfield and provide a new through route to Huddersfield and beyond. This never got beyond the planning stage so only a short 3mile long branch was constructed as far as the St Paul's area of King Cross which opened to Pellon Station on the 1st August 1890 and through to St Paul's on the 5th September 1890.

The line although busy for goods was never overly popular with passengers, the short 1.3 mile journey to Halifax Old Station taking over 30 minutes including a change at Holmfield, and by the time trams had reached the Pellon and King Cross areas of Halifax by the turn of the century passengers numbers had dwindled.

The line had originally planned for a passenger station at Wheatley between the tunnel and viaduct but this was never realised only a small goods yard for Webster's brewery at the opposite end of the viaduct. Passenger services were withdrawn on the 1st of January 1917 and whilst reintroduced after the war they were only to last in limited numbers until until 1927 with only occasional excursion trains after this date, the last passenger train to use the line departed St Pauls on Friday 6th February 1963.

The line was still popular with freight traffic and this continued until the 25th June 1960 when all services were withdrawn and the line closed. The station buildings were demolished and the tracks lifted in the early 1960's and their ended the short life of the Halifax High Level Railway.

The fantastic 10 arch and 100ft high Wheatley Viaduct still remains and the tunnel entrance on the west side still stands although the eastern portal was infilled and covered by a housing estate in the early part of this century, I feel this was an opportunity missed as the tunnel and viaduct would have made an excellent bridleway connecting King Cross, Pellon, Wheatley, Holmfield and beyond. It could have also provided a link with the plans for a cycleway through the Queensbury Tunnel if these are successful. The site of St Pauls Station, Pellon Station and Holmfield Junction have now been developed in to industrial units or in the case of St Paul's a now closed and dilapidated car showroom and garage. A large number of the bridges at Hopwood Lane, Gibbet Street, Hanson Lane, Battinson Road and Keighley Road still remain but are now filled in. The Pellon Lane, Brackenbed Road, Wood Lane bridges are still complete across there roads as well as bridges across footpaths at Field Side and Church Lane. Once beyond Wheatley Tunnel and Viaduct, the tunnel airshaft can still be seen on cousin lane and the bridge abutment or at least half of it can be seen on Shay Lane.

The pictures below are a small selection of the ones I took walking the remains, the full set can be seen on Clickasnap or my original High Level Railway post by clicking here. 

Field Side Tunnel Path

Brackenbed Lane Bridge

Wheatley Viaduct

Wheatley Tunnel Entrance

Inside Wheatley Tunnel. I never entered the tunnel this was taken from the doorway.

Wheatley Tunnel Air Shaft.

Remains of Shay Lane Bridge.

Over 20 pictures from the Halifax High Level Railway taken in February 2014 using a Polaroid is2132 bridge camera can be seen on my Clickasnap account.

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All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.

Wainhouse Terrace: A Victorian Gem in Halifax

Nestled between the bustling A646 and A58, in the heart of King Cross, near Halifax, lies a silent witness to a bygone era: Wainhouse Terrace. This Grade II listed structure, a remnant of a once-thriving Victorian housing development, stands as a poignant reminder of the area's dramatic transformation in the 1970s.

Imagine, if you will, the bustling streets, the close-knit community that once filled the back-to-back terraces that lined this hillside. Today, only the terrace itself remains, a lone sentinel amidst the modern roads and redeveloped landscape. The vision of John Wainhouse, the same man who gifted us the iconic Wainhouse Tower, this terrace boasts a unique square tower, a spiral staircase winding its way upwards, culminating in a panoramic balcony overlooking the breathtaking Ryburn Valley.

My journey to Wainhouse Terrace in November 2013, captured on my trusty Samsung Galaxy Tablet, revealed a site steeped in history and a touch of melancholy. The echoes of the past seemed to linger in the air, a stark contrast to the roar of traffic on the adjacent roads.

The story of Wainhouse Terrace is one of both preservation and neglect. After the demolition of the surrounding housing in the early 70s, the council wisely transformed the terrace into a viewing area in 1973, offering a glimpse of the stunning valley scenery. For a time, it was cherished and maintained. However, the narrative took a sad turn in March 2008 when the council sold it for a mere £76,000.

Since then, time and the elements have taken their toll. The terrace has fallen into disrepair, a shadow of its former glory. It's a heartbreaking sight, a piece of history slowly crumbling. A glimmer of hope shone in 2016, when a dedicated local volunteer group valiantly attempted to reclaim the site, clearing overgrown vegetation and attempting to stem the tide of decay.

This brings me to my personal vision for Wainhouse Terrace. It possesses an undeniable charm, a unique character that begs to be resurrected. I envision a vibrant market area, a bustling hub of local crafts and produce, or perhaps a tranquil garden, a haven of peace amidst the urban landscape. Imagine the spiral staircase, its ancient stones echoing with the footsteps of visitors, leading to a balcony alive with the chatter of marketgoers or the quiet contemplation of garden enthusiasts.

The terrace, recently re-listed for sale, presents a unique opportunity. It's a chance to breathe new life into a piece of Halifax history, to transform it into a community asset. It's a chance to honour John Wainhouse's legacy and create a space that enriches the lives of locals and visitors alike.

Wainhouse Terrace is more than just bricks and mortar; it's a story waiting to be retold, a canvas awaiting a new masterpiece. Will someone step forward and answer its silent plea? Let's hope so. Because this forgotten gem deserves a second chance to shine.

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All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.