Did a chord ever exist between the ECML and the L&Y just south of Temple Hirst ?

[Justin Smith]

Did a chord ever exist between the ECML and the L&Y just south of Temple Hirst / just east of Hensall ?

I was looking at an old OS map of the York area and noticed, what looked like, the remains of a north to east chord from the ECML to the ex L&Y line from Knottingley to Goole. But I have looked through all my historical rail atlases, including my valued Cobbs (the best book I ever bought ! ), and cannot find it on any of them.
I have had this once before and it turned out to be a short lived wartime chord, so is the apparent remains of the chord one of those ?

I'll ask for the Ian Allan 1939-45 Rail Atlas (ISBN 9780711036307) for Christmas so hopefully won't be stumped again ! Has anyone else got that and is it any good ?

 

[yorksrob]

Yes, according to railmap online:

Rail Map online - historic railways, railroads and canals

UK, Ireland and US historic railways, railroads and canals. Includes waggonways, tramways, stations, metro and narrow gauge lines displayed on an interactive Google Map.

www.railmaponline.com

 

[tbwbear]

If you check the Library of Scotland website, they have a variety of searchable OS maps on line for various time periods. Their site is an excellent source for old maps.

Looking at the "1900s" OS map you can see the chord in question. On the "1920s" OS map it has gone, although the earthworks remaining are shown.

 

[Justin Smith]

Thanks for that T and Y.
It's interesting that it isn't on my 1890 map or my 1904 map, neither is it in Cobbs.
I don't suppose anyone has dates of its opening and closing so I can put it on my copy of Cobbs ? ! ?

 

[tbwbear]

Just a bit of extra info - The Library of Scotland shows OS Map 79 (Goole) with a publication date of 1895. The chord is on that.

Of course, that doesn't neccessarily mean it was still in existence then, I suppose.

It would depend on how they updated the information. So your 1890 map may also be correct of course.

You have me wondering now why it was removed too.

Could it have anything to do with the opening (in the early 20th century) of the NER line from Selby to Goole direct (via Drax) ?

 

[yorksrob]

I don't really know the reasons behind this particular chord, however the area is criss-crossed with lots of routes which have had a lot of heavy freight. I wonder if it was superceded by the Selby - Goole line which went in the 1960's.

 

[30907]

Presumably it gave access to Goole Docks LYR?

 

[Pinza-C55]

I know that in the 80s there were still the abutments of a road bridge just after the curve diverged from the ECML. They may have been removed now. I think it gave access to Goole from the north before the Selby - Goole branch was opened.

 

[Justin Smith]

I think I've possibly worked out one reason why the chord isn't on Cobbs. I have a 1970 1" to the mile map of the York area and there is no evidence of any chord there, my next oldest map is a 1979 50,000 series, and it has (re)appeared on that !

 

[Dr_Paul]

I've been looking at the OS maps on the NLS site, and what is surprising to me, who isn't familiar with this part of the country, is the amazing profusion of railway lines in what seems to be a fairly sparsely populated area.

 

[YorksLad12]

I've been looking at the OS maps on the NLS site, and what is surprising to me, who isn't familiar with this part of the country, is the amazing profusion of railway lines in what seems to be a fairly sparsely populated area.

It's mining country. Kellingley Colliery, for example, was next door to Knottingley until it closed (the colliery, not the town). The line to the colliery is nice and straight but curves south slightly to reach the passenger station. And the Selby Diversion, owing to the Prince of Wales (I think) Colliery.

 

[etr221]

Looking at the NLS website, the chord is shown on the 1" maps of 1894/5; but not on any of the larger scale maps of similar vintage (which only show a track bed).

The David and Charles Regional History (Vol 4, The North East, by Ken Hoole, series editor David St John Thomas), states that an authorised spur off the NER line south from Selby (opened Jan 1871, part of the ECML) from Common Lane, Heck, to the L&Y at Hensall (Junction, not Station) was built (no date given) but little used, NER records showing it as abandoned 'by 1905' (indication from OS, much earlier). It may well have been to some extent a 'political' link, part of the inter company machinations of the time

 

[YorksLad12]

I'm confused. Is this a different curve to the one that can be seen with Google Maps?

 

[etr221]

No. Bear in mind that when the D&C book was written Temple Hirst Junction, and the Selby diversion, were many years in the future...

 

[YorksLad12]

So the answer to the OP's question then is yes, and here it is?

 

[pdeaves]

So the answer to the OP's question then is yes, and here it is?

View attachment 84415

Well, that's the earthworks. The discussion above was more about whether it ever had track (yes), when the track was in place (various map evidence given) and was it used (occasionally).

 

[Justin Smith]

Looking at the NLS website, the chord is shown on the 1" maps of 1894/5; but not on any of the larger scale maps of similar vintage (which only show a track bed).

The David and Charles Regional History (Vol 4, The North East, by Ken Hoole, series editor David St John Thomas), states that an authorised spur off the NER line south from Selby (opened Jan 1871, part of the ECML) from Common Lane, Heck, to the L&Y at Hensall (Junction, not Station) was built (no date given) but little used, NER records showing it as abandoned 'by 1905' (indication from OS, much earlier). It may well have been to some extent a 'political' link, part of the inter company machinations of the time

Thanks for this, I have added it to my Cobbs.