Leeds Central Viaduct Climb
Afternoon all, here's another one from my archive of places visited and never reported on... Visited Solo, and had a nice stroll along the top after climbing up the side of the viaduct (Yes, there are easier ways up, but the climb was part of the fun!). The Viaduct provides some nice views and still has a semaphore signal post still in situ which is a nice feature...
History
I'm guessing central viaduct was completed around the same time as Central Station was in September 1854 by the London and North Western Railway Company. Central Station itself was an elevated station, the same as the current Leeds Station hence the need for a viaduct to carry trains over the River Aire and the Aire and Calder Navigation Canal, into the Station. Central Station was closed by British Rail in 1967 when the decision was made to move all services to Leeds City Station (Now Leeds Station) rather than sharing services between the two sites, which kinda made sense! The last train leaving from Leeds Central was an early evening service to Harrogate filled by the usual Birmingham RC&W DMU. Detonators were placed on the track by Railway staff which exploded as the train rolled away from the platform and past the signal box on its final departure.
The Station was completely demolished and all that remains to suggest a station did ever exist here is the approach viaduct in this report and the goods lifts, which stand as a monument to the old Central Station.
Pictures
I put this little map together so you know where I mean if I start throwing names about...
Central Viaduct...
The easy way up!
On Top...
The Old Semaphore Signal.
Looking down on what was Leeds Round House and Holbeck 55A Engine Sheds.
And an image from inside the Roundhouse, dated 1st August 1965 (Copyright Bill Wright)
Some nice views from up there...
And before heading back down a view of the fork, and ball camera, don't think anyone was watching though (Slow as f*ck if they where...)
Arches...
Cheers for looking guys, hope you enjoyed the pics!
Afternoon all, here's another one from my archive of places visited and never reported on... Visited Solo, and had a nice stroll along the top after climbing up the side of the viaduct (Yes, there are easier ways up, but the climb was part of the fun!). The Viaduct provides some nice views and still has a semaphore signal post still in situ which is a nice feature...
History
I'm guessing central viaduct was completed around the same time as Central Station was in September 1854 by the London and North Western Railway Company. Central Station itself was an elevated station, the same as the current Leeds Station hence the need for a viaduct to carry trains over the River Aire and the Aire and Calder Navigation Canal, into the Station. Central Station was closed by British Rail in 1967 when the decision was made to move all services to Leeds City Station (Now Leeds Station) rather than sharing services between the two sites, which kinda made sense! The last train leaving from Leeds Central was an early evening service to Harrogate filled by the usual Birmingham RC&W DMU. Detonators were placed on the track by Railway staff which exploded as the train rolled away from the platform and past the signal box on its final departure.
The Station was completely demolished and all that remains to suggest a station did ever exist here is the approach viaduct in this report and the goods lifts, which stand as a monument to the old Central Station.
Pictures
I put this little map together so you know where I mean if I start throwing names about...
Central Viaduct...
The easy way up!
On Top...
The Old Semaphore Signal.
Looking down on what was Leeds Round House and Holbeck 55A Engine Sheds.
And an image from inside the Roundhouse, dated 1st August 1965 (Copyright Bill Wright)
Some nice views from up there...
And before heading back down a view of the fork, and ball camera, don't think anyone was watching though (Slow as f*ck if they where...)
Arches...
Cheers for looking guys, hope you enjoyed the pics!
