8D ASSOCIATION
The 8D Association is dedicated to promoting the history of the railways of South Lancashire, Merseyside and North Cheshire.
St Helens and Runcorn Gap Railway
Closure and Beyond in images.
Taken sometime in 1981, The site of Ann Street Halt shortly before the line would be closed as a through route. The truncated remains of the GC & MR Joint loop line can be seen as can the LNWR deviation line overbridge.
Photo by Paul Wright.
From nearly the same point as the previous picture after the line had closed completely on 1st November 1981, the final train to run from Widnes to St Helens had run on 31st October 1981. February 1982.
Photo by Graham Earle.
A 1987 view, the width of the Bradley Passage footbridge shows how extensive the lines were around the southern end of the line a one point.
Photo by John Wilson.
With the footbridge now removed the construction of Watkinson Way is in full swing.6th August 1993
Photo by John Wilson.
A 1987 view, the site of Appleton station devoid of track and ballast but with the Widnes bound platform intact.
Photo by John Wilson.
From the same point as the previous photo during the construction of Watkinson Way which followed the course of the railway to a point north of Farnworth and Bold. Halton View road bridge is being demolished. 6th August 1993.
Photo by John Wilson.
The line was lifted shortly after the workings into the Everite factory ended and when the line had closed as a through route in on 1st November 1981. Taken in February 1982.
Photo by Graham Earle.
Another picture slightly further to the north during the lifting process. February 1982.
Photo by Graham Earle.
Farnworth and Bold station during track lifting, it was at a point slightly north of here that the track had been lifted some years earlier. February 1982.
Photo by Graham Earle.
As seem in 1983, the Five Arches bridge near Bold which carries the Warrington to Liverpool Road over the railway. The bridge was constructed when the line was built but subsequently had 4 of its 5 arches infilled. It was cleaned up and the trackbed has become a cycle way between Farnworth and Bold and Sutton Manor.
Photo by Paul Wright.
Near Sutton Manor when the line had been stripped of ballast to allow a methane gas pipeline to be laid from Sutton Manor colliery to an ICI plant in Widnes. Taken in 1987.
Photo by John Wilson.
The surviving connection into the exchange sidings at Sutton Manor colliery was still in place and being used, though not frequently in 1987. The mine would close within 4 years of this shot being taken and the line would be lifted to Sutton Oak junction. It was claimed at the time of the closure of Sutton Manor on 24th May 1991 that there was 40 years worth of coal still to be mined. If it had stayed open then so would the line.
Photo by John Wilson.
The line here crossed the L & M line on the intersection bridge and descended down towards Sutton Oak Junction, taken in 1987. The bridge has recently been removed by Network Rail to allow the electrification masts for the L & M line to be erected.
Photo by John Wilson.