Manchester-Huddersfield-Leeds route

[Leylandlad]

Had a run over to Leeds today...first time I've done it on a 185

Very impressed with how the 185's climb; the gradients seemed almost none existent.

Question is, what are the gradients? I couldn't see any gradient posts other than outside Leeds station

Main climbs seemed to be Stalybridge to Standedge Tunnel or Huddersfield-Tunnel.

The 158's used to thud like mad on the banks compared to the 185's!

 

[Crossover]

I never did it on the 158s but can vouch for the 185s. Same engines as 125 capable Voyagers but geared for 100 so they go like the proverbial off a shovel!

 

[edwin_m]

From Stalybridge it's mostly 1 in 125 up to Standedge tunnel, then mostly 1 in 105 down to Huddersfield (the tunnel itself is level). Huddersfield to Bradley is mainly 1 in 147 down, then from Dewsbury it is 1 in 138 up to Morley Tunnel and dropping at an average of about 1 in 150 down into Leeds. Trains via Victoria trains also have to face gradients as steep as 1 in 47 up to Miles Platting.

The worst part is probably the start westwards from Huddersfield, where there is 1 in 95 from the platform ends continuing for a mile or so through the tunnels.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Had a run over to Leeds today...first time I've done it on a 185
Very impressed with how the 185's climb; the gradients seemed almost none existent.
Question is, what are the gradients? I couldn't see any gradient posts other than outside Leeds station
Main climbs seemed to be Stalybridge to Standedge Tunnel or Huddersfield-Tunnel.
The 158's used to thud like mad on the banks compared to the 185's!

It's not as steep as you might think, between Stalybridge and Leeds anyway.
Steepest climb up to Standedge is 1/125 around Greenfield, and then it's 1/105 for a long stretch down to Huddersfield. It is then 1/96-107 through Huddersfield.
The climb to Batley is 1/119 and there's a 1/104 at Farnley, with a final 1/84 drop into Leeds.
These gradients are dwarfed by the 1/59-47 from Victoria to Miles Platting, and even Whiston bank near Rainhill is 1/89-99. The climb out of Lime St is 1/83-93.

The Calder Valley route is significantly flatter, averaging about 1/200.
The Hope Valley is harder, with long stretches of 1/100 up to Cowburn Tunnel on both sides.
Woodhead was relatively flat, more like the Calder Valley. There was just a short stretch of 1/100 around Hadfield, and a very short 1/97 east of Guide Bridge.
All this from BR Main Line Gradient Profiles (Ian Allan). You need a magnifying glass...

 

[Leylandlad]

Thanks chaps...

Must admit it did feel steeper, especially climbing from Stalybridge, presumably because it's a long climb rather than a quick 1/2 mile...

Loadings wise it was pretty quiet, both ways less than 1/2 full between Pic and Leeds eastbound. Westbound about 1/2 full to Huddersfield, 1/4 full into Pic.

Different story from Piccadilly...got the 1446 to BPL/BIF..2 185's about 80% to Bolton, 40% by Buckshaw where I detrained....

 

[kevconnor]

On a side point what gradients were on the old Oldham loop, always remember being on pacers coming out of Failsworth towards Oldham thinking we would have to jettison luggage in order to make it up the climb to Hollinworth.