Date/Time
Date(s) - Thursday 23/02/2023
11.00 - 15.00
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Turntable at Godley Junction (©John Philips: http://oldhyde.blogspot.com/)
Pkease note the change of departure time from Manchester Piccadilly.
A walk (distance 5 miles) led by Roger Brice, following the CLC line from Godley station to Woodley looking at the sites of Godley Junction, Brockfield turntable and Apethorne Junction, with a short diversion (necessitated by access issues) along the towpath of the Lower Peak Forest Canal from Apethorne Aqueduct to Woodley. The walk south along the canal to Woodley canal bridge adds points of interest not included in the last NW Group walk (Marple to Woodley) on 26th January. This walk also ends at the northern portal of Woodley canal tunnel where it is a short walk to Woodley station. There is an opportunity for early escapes at Apethorne Aqueduct (Gee Cros) and Apethorne Junction.
The walk will start from Godley Station at 10.55 a.m. following arrival at 10.49 of the 10.33 departure from Manchester Piccadilly Station. There are no facilities for lunch along the route of the walk and sandwiches are recommended. Return by train from Woodley station to Manchester Piccadilly for onward travel; ex Woodley train departures are at 14.50, 15.21, 16.20 and 16.51.
After 450yds partly uphill on a quiet road from Godley station the walk is largely flat and along well surfaced footpaths.
The CLC line from Godley Junction to Apethorne Junction opened in 1866, completing a line from a junction with the Great Central line (from Woodhead) at Godley to Stockport (Tiviot Dale) and Skelton Junction. This line avoiding Manchester was extended to Glazebrook to form a junction with the CLC line from Manchester to Warrington and Liverpool.
Godley became the point where freight traffic from as far away as Merseyside met with traffic going to and fro over the Pennines. Exchange sidings were laid on both the GC and the CLC sides of the junction; those on the CLC side were known as Brookfold Sidings. Electrification of the Woodhead line in 1954 gave Godley a strategic importance as it was the point where steam and (subsequently) diesel workings over the former CLC system met with electric services via Woodhead. At this time a turntable was installed at Brookfold for use by locomotives travelling over the CLC lines. The link between Godley and Apethorne became redundant when freight services over Woodhead ceased in 1981. The lines were lifted by 1986 the route is now a joint space for cyclists and walkers.
The approach to Apethorpe Junction is not accessible and the walk crosses the extant Sheffield & Midland Committee line before reaching the canal. Apethorne aqueduct is one of eight on the Peak Forest Canal. Apethorne Junction is a very short walk from Bridge 9 on the canal. Woodley station, for trains to Manchester or Sheffield (change at Romiley) is a short walk from the viewpoint for the junction but, time and weather permitting a walk along the canal to Woodley Bridge (#12) is recommended. This latter option completes the full walk of 5 miles.
Train times were correct on 19th January.
For additional information or queries contact Roger Brice – email: roger.brice@rchs.org.uk or telephone 01625 533959 or 07702 30342.