Calder Valley Line

Calder Valley Line
Overview
Type	Heavy Rail
Locale	West Yorkshire Greater Manchester Lancashire Leeds North West England Yorkshire and the Humber
Termini	York railway station Selby railway station Manchester Piccadilly station Blackpool North railway station
Operation
Owner	Network Rail
Operator(s)	Northern Rail First TransPennine Express Grand Central Railway
Character	Heavy Rail
Technical
No. of tracks	2
Track gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge

Calder Valley Line
York Selby Ulleskelf Church Fenton South Milford Micklefield East Garforth Garforth Cross Gates Leeds Bramley New Pudsey Bradford Interchange Low Moor (opening mid-2016) Halifax Sowerby Bridge Brighouse Mytholmroyd Huddersfield Line to Leeds via Dewsbury Hebden Bridge Huddersfield Burnley Manchester Road Todmorden Accrington Walsden Blackburn Littleborough Preston Walsden Poulton-le-Fylde Smithy Bridge Blackpool North Rochdale Castleton Mills Hill Moston Manchester Victoria

Calder Valley Line
York Selby Ulleskelf Church Fenton South Milford Micklefield East Garforth Garforth Cross Gates Leeds Bramley New Pudsey Bradford Interchange Low Moor (opening mid-2016) Halifax Sowerby Bridge Brighouse Mytholmroyd Huddersfield Line to Leeds via Dewsbury Hebden Bridge Huddersfield Burnley Manchester Road Todmorden Accrington Walsden Blackburn Littleborough Preston Walsden Poulton-le-Fylde Smithy Bridge Blackpool North Rochdale Castleton Mills Hill Moston Manchester Victoria

Railway lines in Leeds in 1913

File:Huddersfield, Bradley Wood, Heaton Lodge, Thornhill, Mirfield & Dewsbury RJD 36.jpg

Railway lines around Huddersfield in 1911

File:Manchester RJD 47.JPG

Railway lines around Manchester in 1910

File:Calder Valley Line 3 geograph-2202254.jpg

Eastbound local train between Mirfield and Thornhill in 1953

Calder Valley main line near Mirfield in 1964

File:Calder Valley Line 2 geograph-2173758-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg

Two eastbound empties trains west of Mirfield in 1950

The Calder Valley Line (also previously known as the Caldervale Line) is a railway route in Northern England between the cities of Leeds and Manchester as well as the seaside resort of Blackpool. It is the slower of the two main rail routes between Leeds and Manchester (the other being the Huddersfield Line), and the northernmost of the three main trans-Pennine routes.

Services

Passenger train services are operated by Northern Rail and run on the following pattern:

• (Selby) – Leeds – Bradford Interchange – Halifax – Huddersfield (Class 156 trains and occasionally Class 158 or Class 144)
• Leeds – Bradford Interchange/Brighouse – Rochdale – Manchester Victoria (Class 155/Class 156 trains)
• York – Leeds – Bradford Interchange – Halifax – Burnley – Blackpool North (Class 158 trains)

This line, along with the Huddersfield Line and York & Selby Lines, is normally merged in national timetables to show a coast-to-coast service. Services within West Yorkshire are sponsored by West Yorkshire Metro, whose tickets (including Metrocards) can be used up to Hebden Bridge between Leeds and Blackpool, and Walsden between Leeds and Manchester.

The route

Before the 1923 Grouping the first section of the line (Leeds – Bradford) was owned by the Great Northern Railway (GNR); and the entire remainder by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway (L&YR), apart from the final section of the branch leading into Huddersfield, which was owned by the London and North Western Railway (LNWR).

For the section between Halifax and Burnley the line uses the valley of the River Calder, which in fact comprises two separate valleys with rivers of the same name, that of West Yorkshire and the Lancashire River Calder thus giving the services their name; it also follows the Rochdale Canal from Todmorden into Manchester. Since the route crosses the Pennines, there are many tunnels to negotiate en route.

The British Railways Board's Corporate Plan for 1983 – 1988 marked the routes between Milner Royd Junction (east of Sowerby Bridge) and Bowling Junction (south of Bradford Interchange); and Milner Royd Junction and Heaton Lodge Junction (west of Mirfield) to be 'singled' on a list "The Proposed Elimination of Non-Essential Multiple Tracks". A combination of factors meant this was never implemented: the better gradients for freight than the Huddersfield trans-Pennine route; and the mid-1980s uncertainty over the Settle-Carlisle route meant that this became the preferred route for goods between Leeds and Preston/Carlisle.

The route description follows. For the initial section of the route, see Leeds and Bradford Lines.

Bradford – Halifax

Many stations on this route have been closed. Stations currently open are in bold. Original places served, and notes on the route:

• • Bowling was named Bowling Junction for its link with the GNR at this point
  • here is Bowling Tunnel 1648 yd (1483m)
  • Low Moor also a junction with GNR. Station is due to re-open in time for the May 2016 timetable.
  • here was a triangular junction for the L&YR line to Dewsbury
  • here are two tunnels: New Furnace Tunnel and Wyke Tunnel
  • Wyke and Norwood Green
  • here is Pickle Bridge junction for the Pickle Bridge Line to Huddersfield: now closed, there were two stations, Bailiff Bridge and Clifton Road
  • Lightcliffe
  • here is Lightcliffe Tunnel
  • Hipperholme
  • here is Beacon Hill Tunnel 1105 yd (995m)
  • Halifax
  • All services on the Calder Valley line serve Halifax.

On 24 October 1901 as the 6.10 pm down goods train from Low Moor to Leeds to was passing through Bowling Tunnel, the rear section broke loose. It came to a stop in the tunnel and was run into from behind by the 9.05 pm goods train from Low Moor to Laisterdyke. Wreckage partly blocking the up line was then hit by the 9 pm passenger train from Leeds to Manchester. No one was killed but there was extensive damage to rolling stock.

Halifax – Huddersfield

This route was re-opened to passengers in 2000 when Brighouse station was re-opened, and a short length of line relaid to enable trains to reach Huddersfield.

• • Dryclough Junction (where the Huddersfield route leaves the main line)
  • Here was Greetland Station
  • Here was Elland Station
  • Brighouse
  • Deighton (on the Huddersfield line; Calder Valley Line trains do not call there)
  • Huddersfield

Halifax – Manchester Victoria

Many stations on this route have been closed (or are not served by the Calder Valley Line trains): original stations served:

• • here was the triangular junction for the line via Mirfield to Dewsbury; Brighouse station is on this line.
  • here is Bank House Tunnel
  • here was Copley station
  • the line now turns west into the Calder valley, joining the original 1840 main line at Milner Royd Junction.
  • Sowerby Bridge
  • at Sowerby Bridge heading west the line used to branch off to Ripponden. It was originally intended to continue to Littleborough but ended at Rishworth. Closed to passengers 8 July 1929.
  • here was Luddendenfoot railway station now closed
  • Mytholmroyd
  • here is "Mytholmroyd Railway Viaduct"
  • Hebden Bridge
  • here is Weasel Hall Tunnel
  • here was Eastwood station
  • here are: Castle Hill Tunnel; Horsfall Tunnel; and Millwood Tunnel
  • Hall Royd Junction: here the trains on the Blackpool service turn northwestward, following the Calder Valley (see below)
  • Todmorden here the line takes a southward direction, in the same valley as the Rochdale Canal
  • Walsden: here the line crosses into the Rochdale District of Greater Manchester
  • after Winterbutlee Tunnel follows Summit Tunnel, at 2885 yd (2597 m) the longest on the L&YR lines
  • Littleborough
  • Smithy Bridge
  • Rochdale: junction for two lines: to Bacup (closed to passengers 16 June 1947) and to Oldham
  • Castleton: junction for a line to Bury
  • Middleton Junction junction for two lines: Middleton branch; and Oldham (both closed)
  • Mills Hill
  • Moston
  • Newton Heath
  • Miles Platting
  • Manchester Victoria

On 28 February 1902 a Wakefield to Rose Grove goods train broke into two due to a broken coupling, resulting in the rear half eventually crashing at high speed into the front half in Millwood Tunnel. No one was killed but wreckage filled the tunnel right up to the roof.

Summit Tunnel was the scene of a major fire in 1984, caused when a freight train hauling petrol tankers derailed.

Blackpool route

Trains continue up the Calder valley to Burnley and Blackburn; it also runs parallel with the Leeds and Liverpool Canal from Burnley. The section from Todmorden to Burnley (often called the Copy Pit line) was opened by the Manchester and Leeds Railway (later L&YR) on 12 November 1849. The East Lancashire Railway (later L&YR) built the Burnley to Preston line, Burnley to Accrington 18 September 1848, Accrington to Blackburn 19 June 1848, and the Blackburn to Preston section on 1 June 1846.

The Rose Grove – Todmorden (Hall Royd) local service over this route ended in 1965, the only passenger services being a daily Leeds – Blackpool train. In mid-1982 the last tanker train travelled over the line, with the expectation of closure shortly after. A turning point came when the National and Provincial Building Society moved staff from Burnley to Bradford. The Society arranged for a Preston – Bradford Interchange train to be run to move staff from their home base to Bradford offices. In October 1984 British Rail developed this into five trains each way between Leeds and Preston with one extended to Blackpool.

Todmorden Curve

The Todmorden Curve is a 440-yard (400 m) section of track at Hall Royd Junction near Todmorden which was lifted in 1972. Originally Hall Royd Junction was triangular, and the lifted curve allowed services from Burnley to reach Manchester via Todmorden (regular services over it had ceased in November 1965). Reinstating the curve was a priority for Lancashire County Council and was ranked as the most important project in its 2010 Rail Improvement Schemes draft report. The government stated in March 2010 that reinstating the link would cost around £7 million and any new rail services would require initial subsidy. Burnley MP Kitty Ussher wrote to the North West Development Agency to seek assurance that it could find the money. In October 2010 Network Rail agreed to pay for the final assessment of the plans. This assessment, completed in May 2011, concluded that it could be feasible to reinstate the curve, although the original route could not be used as the original curve was deemed to be too sharp. An alternative route was instead put forward, and it was stated that, if funds could be obtained by early 2012 to carry forward the project, the curve could be back in use by the end of 2013.

On 31 October 2011, the deputy Prime Minister announced that the scheme would be given the go-ahead.

Construction work began in summer 2013, and the curve was planned to be available for the May 2014 timetable change. The track was completed and tested in May 2014, and services began on 17 May 2015.

Many stations on this route have been closed (or are not served by the Calder Valley Line trains): original stations served and other notes on the route:

• • Hall Royd Junction: see above; there are now no stations on the route before Burnley; stations once served, and notes on the route:
  • here is the junction with the original line from Todmorden (to Burnley), forming a triangle (closed 1972, but reopened in 2015).
  • Stansfield Hall station opened 1869, closed July 1944
  • here is Kitsonwood Tunnel (290 yards)
  • Nott Wood viaduct
  • Cornholme station closed to all traffic 26 September 1938
  • Portsmouth closed 7 July 1958
  • Copy Pit summit (749 ft)
  • Holme Tunnel (265 yards)
  • Holme: closed 28 July 1930
  • Towneley Tunnel (398 yards)
  • Towneley: serving the nearby Towneley Hall, closed 4 August 1952
  • Burnley Manchester Road station: (there are also Burnley Barracks and Burnley Central see below)
  • Gannow Junction where the line joins from Colne, Nelson, Brierfield, Burnley Central and Burnley Barracks
  • Rose Grove has an island platform with 2 disused bay platforms.
  • here was the Rose Grove Junction for the North Lancashire Loop, an alternative route to Blackburn via Padiham, Simonstone and Great Harwood (closed to passengers 2 December 1957)
  • Hapton
  • Huncoat
  • Accrington
  • here was the triangular junction for the line to Bury (closed 5 December 1966)
  • Church and Oswaldtwistle
  • Rishton
  • Rishton Tunnel
  • here was the other end of the line from Burnley at Great Harwood Junction
  • Blackburn Tunnel

Blackburn to Preston

This line is described in more detail in East Lancashire Line.

• • Blackburn: junction of the line to Bolton
  • Mill Hill
  • Cherry Tree
  • here was the L&YR/LNWR joint line (the Lancashire Union Joint Railway) to Chorley and the West Coast Route (opened 1 November 1869 and closed to passengers 4 January 1960)
  • Pleasington
  • Hoghton
  • Bamber Bridge
  • here was a junction for a direct route to Preston, the surviving route continues to Preston via Lostock Hall where there are further junctions, including one for the former through route to Liverpool.

Preston to Blackpool

This route is described in more detail in Blackpool Branch Lines.

• • Preston: the joint LNWR/L&YR station on the West Coast Route
  • Lea Road
  • Salwick
  • Kirkham and Wesham
  • here were junctions: for the direct route to Blackpool; and the coast route via Lytham St Annes on Sea
  • Singleton
  • Poulton-le-Fylde
  • here was the junction for Fleetwood (line closed to passengers 1 June 1970)
  • Layton (opened as Bispham)
  • Blackpool North was named Talbot Road

Holme Tunnel engineering work

Holme Tunnel, which lies between Hebden Bridge and Burnley Manchester Road, was closed for 20 weeks from November 2013 until March 2014. This was to allow for major engineering work to fix the distorted shape of the tunnel, caused by movement of the ground. The project was budgeted to cost £16.3million. During the works, buses replaced train services. The tunnel re-opened on 24 March 2014, following the completion of the works. Trains can now pass through at 45 mph.

Future

Improvements to the line are proposed as part of Network Rail's Northern Hub plans, which would allow for more frequent services on the line. Some services via Bradford would also be extended to Chester, Crewe, Liverpool and Manchester Airport. The Chester & Liverpool services have since been incorporated into the new Northern Rail franchise agreement - awarded to Arriva Rail North in December 2015 and due to start in April 2016, these will be marketed under the "Northern Connect" brand and operated by new 100mph DMUs once delivered. The Manchester Airport trains will follow one the Ordsall Curve is completed in 2018.

Low Moor station, between Bradford Interchange and Halifax, is due to be re-opened in 2016. A business case is being developed to re-open Elland station between Halifax and Brighouse.

See also

• First TransPennine Express – A service that connects the West to the East

External links

• West Yorkshire Metro