Disused trackbed Leeds.

[xotGD]

One option would be to reopen the viaduct with connection to the Wakefield line and then use it and P17 for the all-shacks Leeds - Doncaster and Leeds - Wakefield W - Sheffield services along with the new Leeds - Wakefield - Knottingley.

Next problem: What to do with the services currently using P17?

 

[matacaster]

If memory serves me right, the viaduct line joined the wakefield line at the cusp of an incline from both sides. It came up from below on the left and as a result had very bad camber. may have had a speed restriction anybody?

 

[D1009]

If memory serves me right, the viaduct line joined the wakefield line at the cusp of an incline from both sides. It came up from below on the left and as a result had very bad camber. may have had a speed restriction anybody?

As I recall Gelderd Road Junction, as it was called was canted to allow a higher speed, 30 mph or so towards Leeds than towards Bradford, as this was where the majority of the trains were heading. Again if memory is not playing tricks, all passenger trains from the Wakefield Westgate direction used the curve apart from the Bradford Executive which avoided Leeds completely. When the viaduct was closed the junction was changed back to the original alignment, or even plain lined.

 

[Cowley]

How very true!
...and a most interesting posting above regarding the demonstration run may I say.

Yes I enjoyed reading that post by The_Engineer too. Very interesting.
I think I know this viaduct vaguely. Great thread.

 

[DarloRich]

Perhaps all these new freight trains that the Colne line will provide could use this route

Was it Farnley Viaduct that this line ran over? If so I've read that it wasn't possible to fit the necessary catenary when electrifying the route into Leeds hence final closure during 1987.

However, as Ash Bridge has said upthread, it was not possible to construct the catenary for the electrification of the London line on this viaduct, so the route reverted to the original passing the old Copley Hill mpd.

Not possible or not feasible/financially viable to do so? I cant see anything inherently difficult in installing OHLE on that viaduct although admit I am not an expert.

 

[Welshman]

Not possible or not feasible/financially viable to do so? I cant see anything inherently difficult in installing OHLE on that viaduct although admit I am not an expert.

I think I was mistaken in implying upthread that it was not possible to install OHLE on this viaduct.
I've just been re-reading Stephen Batty's "Rail Centres Leeds/Bradford" [published by Ian Allan Ltd in 1989], in which he states:-
"During October 1987 the Leeds Viaduct line was taken out of use and the Gelderd Junction of 1967 was removed, so realising a threat which was originally voiced at the time of the City station rebuilding during the 1960s. The line was left out of the electrification plans right from the start, and many observers saw the writing on the wall from then"

 

[DarloRich]

I think I was mistaken in implying upthread that it was not possible to install OHLE on this viaduct.
I've just been re-reading Stephen Batty's "Rail Centres Leeds/Bradford" [published by Ian Allan Ltd in 1989], in which he states:-
"During October 1987 the Leeds Viaduct line was taken out of use and the Gelderd Junction of 1967 was removed, so realising a threat which was originally voiced at the time of the City station rebuilding during the 1960s. The line was left out of the electrification plans right from the start, and many observers saw the writing on the wall from then"

no worries - i couldn't see anything readily apparent but wondered, say, if some structural issue was found during electrification surveys

 

[rich-leeds]

Here's an interesting picture of an IC225 set in the long siding on Farnley Viaduct at the Holbeck end.
https://flic.kr/p/j1iHqy

Comments appear to suggest Yorkshire Pullman breakfasts were prepared whilst the set stood in the siding.

As others noted, the route was cut back during electrification in the 1980s (lots of 'rationalisation' was done on the back of that project), and then the long siding was taken out during the 'Leeds 1st' works around 2000.

 

[Ploughman]

I remember driving my railway van on official business on that viaduct a number of times.
Not able to go all the way though.