New Models from Hornby (and Water Troughs)

[LCDR]

You could of course model the water troughs that used to be situated beween Diggle and Marsden!

The only level bit of track between Leeds and Manchester on the old L&Y route was inside Standedge tunnel.

 

You have to have level track otherwise the water runs out of the troughs at one end! *

 

So where did they put the troughs?  Why in the tunnel of course!

 

The tunnel is three miles long, and is in fact three tunnels but only the latest double bore carries trains nowadays.  The other two single bores are still there, with one still in use for emergency access. However there is a fifth, and older bore which is the original canal tunnel. This is somewehat longer than the railway tunnels which pass above it. This has recently been restored and there are boat trips through it!

 

The water troughs are no longer there of course.

 

On the Yorkshire side there is a remarkable aqueduct over the railway just east of the tunnel which carries a river above the tracks. This featured in BBC sitcom  'Last of the Summer Wine' title shots now and again.

 

 

* A former Loco Inspector on the NYMR was occasionally heard to berate a so called 'railway enthusiast expert' who rather impractically  suggested that they ought to have water troughs on that line!  He would point out that the arrangement of lock gates would be an interesting (nay unique) feature!