Clegg Hall and Smithy Bridge Railways

Whilst the line to Littleborough opened in the late1830s and throughout in the early 1840's, nearly 30 years passed before the passenger station was opened. To some extent this was understandable as Smithy Bridge itself was quite small when the railway passed through but with the growth in Industry and housing plus the increasing draw of Hollingworth Lake as a visitor attraction led to much railway development in the Smithy Bridge Area.

​

Passenger Station

The first passenger station opened on 1st October 1868. It had staggered platforms each side of the level crossing (far right) which meant the level crossing was able to be opened even though the train was still in the station. The station was an important (convenience) stop on the Émigré trains from Hull to Liverpool. It also became the main stop for visitors to the Weavers Seaport (Hollingworth Lake). Even though many houses had been built the first station was closed in 1960 despite numerous objections. That station was closed in 1960 but  in 1985 GMPTE sponsored the building of the current station, a simple unstaffed Halt. Due recent housing both platforms had to be located west of the level crossing. The simple station has had improved facilities including Information screens, ticket machines, CCTV and different shelters but even so, the platforms remain rather bleak but functional

 

Water Troughs at Clegg Hall 

Water troughs were installed within the cutting between Belfield and Clegg Hall circa 1886 to enable steam locomotives to refill their tanks whilst on the move. Water was initially supplied from the nearby Rochdale Canal but whilst in may have later been supplied from a borehole, from 1930 they were fed from the Holmes Pit of Dearnley colliery located west of Smithy Bridge Road (previously Halliday Lane).The railway’s water requirements were later met by the public supply from sometime in the early-to-mid-forties. It is believed that the water troughs were taken out of use between 1963 and 1969 with the demise of steam..

 

Freight

Extensive freight facilities were provided at Smithy Bridge including sidings and passing loops between Clegg Hall Road Bridge and Smithy Bridge station. Two additional signal boxes were provided at Clegg Hall Road Bridge and near Fletchers Road Bridge, to manage the very many sidings, cross-overs and loops. The 1970s saw these facilities removed leaving just the original 2 line's.

​

See here for an Ordnance Survey map of 1910 - Other maps are available from the National Libraries of Scotland.

​

Smithy Bridge Crash