The Rishworth Branch Line December 2013

 One of my favourite places to explore with my camera is the remains of the Rishworth Branch Line, a railway that connected the Ryburn Valley with the mainline at Sowerby Bridge. The line had stations and halts at Rishworth, Ripponden, Triangle and Watson's Crossing. Much of the line remains in tact with a number of Bridges still providing crossings over the former trackbed. The Scar Head Tunnel is still running underneath the Norland Hillside although inaccessible for people wanting to look inside, and the platform at Rishworth still remains although now covered by vegetation. The former pedestrian bridge, Ripponden Bank road bridge and wooden trellis bridge that connected Rishworth Station with the turnpike have all been removed since the line closed in addition to all the station buildings.

The Rishworth Branch line was opened as the first stage of a much bigger scheme to shorten the railway connection between Sowerby Bridge and Littleborough by approx 5 miles by tunnelling underneath the Pennines separating Lancashire and Yorkshire. This plan was abandoned when the company responsible ran in to a number of difficulties in completing the line to Rishworth.

The Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway line along the Ryburn Valley was authorised in 1865 and the line to Ripponden completed in 1878. This was extended to Rishworth in 1881 with stations opening there and in Triangle the same year. Upon completion the line was built to double track but for much of it's life only utilised one line with the 2nd track being used to store carriages.

At the turn of the 20th century motor railcars were introduced along the line and this led to a new halt opening at Watson's Crossing in 1907, this was probably the height of the lines usage as growing competition from trams and motor cars led to a decline in passenger numbers and this service was withdrawn on the 8th July 1929 with only goods traffic continuing. The line between Ripponden and Rishworth was closed in March 1952 due to engineering issues and completely on the 1st September 1958. Much of the former trackbed is now accessible for walkers, although some stretchers are in private ownership.

The pictures were taken on the 7th December 2013 with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet.

These first set of pictures were taken on the stretch of line from Scar Head Tunnel to the site of Triangle Station.

Scar Head Tunnel Portal

The former site of Triangle Station

The next selection of pictures were taken on the lines remains between Triangle Station and Ripponden Station.

The former Ripponden station used to sit at the top of the abutment.

The following pictures were taken on the line between the site of Ripponden Station and the Rishworth terminus. This section was the last to open in 1881 and also the first to fully close in 1953.

The former trackbed through this section was so wet on the day I was there it resembled a canal rather than the former trackbed of a railway.

The former Rishworth station platform still remained, although largely reclaimed by nature, when I visited it had been 60 years since it had seen a train and 84 since a passenger had waited on it stone concourse.

This was the entrance to Rishworth Station which was reached by a wooden trestle bridge, which constantly had issued regarding stability. The bridge was strengthened in the 1920's and was one of the reasons that led to the closure of Rishworth station in 1953 some 5 years before the rest of the line, when the bridge was demolished.

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Exploring the Rishworth Branch Line.

The Rishworth Branch Line was a double track railway that ran from Sowerby Bridge through the villages of Triangle and Ripponden before terminating at Rishworth near Slitheroe Bridge. The plan had been to continue on to the main line at Smithy Bridge, Greater Manchester by tunnelling under the moor but sadly despite the surveys being done this plan was abandoned due to cost overruns and land slip issues with the line already built. 

The line opened in 2 stages with the first section from Sowerby Bridge to Ripponden completed in 1878, and then the final stretch to Rishworth opening in 1881. Stations were added at Triangle in 1885 and Watson Crossing Halt in 1907. The line was already in decline by the end of the first world war and in 1929 was closed to passengers, with goods services continuing to Rishworth until 1953 and Triangle and Ripponden until the 1st September 1958. The track was removed between then and 1961 and the line was left to abandonment and nature. Despite this many of the bridges remain as well as Scar Head Tunnel (inaccessible), and even the station platform at Rishworth although overgrown still remain. It must have been a great regret to the railway company that the lines completion to Lancashire near happened, had it done so I have wonder if it would still be open with 1 station serving the villages of Triangle, Ripponden and Rishworth.

The video is taken from my YouTube channel and features images from when the line was in operation as well as pictures taken in 2013 and 2017 along the disused trackbed.

The images from 2013 and 2017 are my own personal pictures, the pictures taken from the days of the lines operation I searched for as public domain and believe them to be so, if I am incorrect I will be happy to add a credit to the video for the pictures owner.

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A drive from Scammonden to Sowerby Bridge Pt 3, Pt 4 and Pt 5.

A drive from Scammonden to Sowerby Bridge is a film broken in to 5 parts of a car journey I took recently from Scammonden Reservoir to Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire. During the course of the journey I passed through areas of the towns and villages of Scammonden, Barkisland, Rishworth, Ripponden, Kebroyd, Triangle and Sowerby Bridge. All the clips are 4 / 5mins long and set to music.

Part 3 features 2.1 miles from the western edge of Rishworth to the centre of Ripponden, West Yorkshire and last's for 4min 27secs.

Part 4 is the 1.5 miles stretch from Ripponden to the western edge of Triangle and is 3min 2 sec long.

The final part 5 covers the 1.9 miles from Triangle to Wakefield Road, Sowerby Bridge and last for 4min 18secs taking in the centres of Triangle and Sowerby Bridge.

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Tracing the Ghost Tracks: A Walk Along the Rishworth Branch Line

The Ryburn Valley, a picturesque slice of West Yorkshire, holds secrets whispered on the winter wind. On a crisp January day in 2016, armed with my Nikon D3300, I set out to explore a fragment of its forgotten past: the Rishworth Branch Line. This railway, a vital artery in its time, once snaked its way up the valley from Sowerby Bridge, connecting Watson's Mill Crossing, Triangle, and Ripponden before reaching its final destination in Rishworth.

Though the last train rattled along these tracks in the 1950s, the remnants of this once-bustling line remain, etched into the landscape. My journey, a roughly half-mile trek, took me from the echoes of Watson's Mill to the quiet village of Triangle. And what a journey it was!

The air was sharp and cold, the ground firm underfoot, as I followed the ghostly path of the former trackbed. The silence was profound, broken only by the occasional rustle of winter-bare trees and the distant murmur of the Ryburn River. It was easy to imagine the steam engines, their rhythmic chugging echoing through the valley, the shouts of passengers and the clatter of cargo.

What struck me most were the bridges. These sturdy stone structures, silent witnesses to a bygone era, still spanned the former trackbed, their arches framing snippets of the valley's beauty. They stood as testaments to the engineering prowess of the past, their weathered stones bearing the marks of time and the elements.

The photographs I captured on that day, the 30th of January 2016, tell a story of quiet resilience. The stark beauty of the winter landscape, the skeletal trees against the pale sky, the weathered stones of the bridges – all combined to create a sense of timelessness.

Walking along the Rishworth Branch Line was like stepping into a historical photograph. It was a journey through time, a glimpse into a world where steam engines ruled the rails and communities were connected by the iron horse.

It's a reminder that even when progress moves forward, the echoes of the past remain, woven into the fabric of the landscape. The Rishworth Branch Line, though silent, continues to tell its story, a story of connection, community, and the enduring beauty of the Ryburn Valley. If you ever find yourself in the area, take a walk along these ghost tracks. You might just hear the whispers of history on the winter wind.

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A Journey Through Time: Exploring the Lost Rishworth Branch Line

The Ryburn Valley, a picturesque stretch of West Yorkshire, whispers tales of a bygone era, a time when the rhythmic chug of steam trains echoed through its hills. This is the story of the Rishworth Branch Line, a railway that briefly connected the valley to the wider world, leaving behind a legacy of intriguing remnants for the modern explorer.

Conceived in the ambitious railway boom of the mid-19th century, the Rishworth Branch Line was initially proposed in 1865. However, it wasn't until 1873 that construction finally began. The first section, stretching from Sowerby Bridge to Ripponden, opened its doors to passengers in 1878, a testament to the Victorian engineering prowess of the time. The line was finally completed to Rishworth in 1881, promising to bring prosperity and connectivity to this rural community.

The initial vision for the line was far grander. Ambitious plans included tunnelling through the imposing moorland to connect with the main line at Rochdale. This would have created a significant through route. However, the challenging terrain and persistent problems with landslides and other geological issues meant this ambitious connection never materialized. The Rishworth Branch Line remained a quiet branch, nestled within the Ryburn Valley.

Despite its relatively short lifespan, the line played a vital role in the local economy, transporting goods and passengers and connecting communities. However, the same challenges that plagued its construction ultimately contributed to its demise. Problems with the surrounding land, likely including landslips and subsidence, led to the closure of the section between Ripponden and Rishworth in March 1952. The final nail in the coffin came in September 1958, when the entire line was closed, marking the end of an era for the Ryburn Valley.

Today, the Rishworth Branch Line exists largely in memory, a ghost of its former self. Yet, for those willing to seek them out, remnants of this railway adventure remain. Several of the sturdy bridge crossings still span the valley, silent witnesses to the trains that once thundered across them. The most impressive relic is perhaps the Scar Head Tunnel, a dark and mysterious portal into the past.

And at Rishworth, the station platform still stands, a poignant reminder of the bustling hub it once was. Though now largely hidden by encroaching undergrowth and inaccessible due to being on private land, the platform waits patiently, a silent sentinel dreaming of the trains that will never arrive. It's a powerful image, a testament to the fleeting nature of progress and the enduring charm of forgotten railways.

The Rishworth Branch Line may be gone, but its story continues to fascinate. It's a story of ambition, engineering challenges, and the changing landscape of transportation. It's a story etched into the very fabric of the Ryburn Valley, waiting to be rediscovered by those who dare to look. So, next time you find yourself in the area, take a moment to imagine the sights and sounds of the Rishworth Branch Line, a lost railway that still whispers its secrets to the wind.

The majority of these pictures featured in this slideshow were taken using my Nikon D3300 camera on April 29, 2016.

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