55. Salcey Forest walk-18.11.16

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2016 > 55. Salcey Forest walk-18.11.16

Another late autumn walk from home. This time I followed the SMJ railway route east from Roade to record some of the remaining infrastructure following its run-down and eventual closure in 1963.

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Images 1-8 of 8 displayed.

SMJ trackbed, M1 wind farm SP779522
The shallow cutting that used to contain the SMJ railway is seen adjacent to the M1 wind farm site in Northamptonshire. This view has just been opened up as the landowner has completed a considerable amount of tree clearance on the south side of the cutting.
Keywords: SMJ trackbed M1 windfarm SP779522

SMJ trackbed, M1 wind farm SP779522
Another lower angle view of the former SMJ railway cutting next to the M1 wind farm between the villages of Roade and Piddington in Northamptonshire. The railway was of strategic importance during the Second World war as it carried significant tonnages of iron ore from the Northamptonshire quarries to the South Wales steelworks. It lingered on after the war with this section being closed to being closed to traffic in June 1958.
Keywords: SMJ trackbed M1 wind farm SP779522

SMJ trackbed, M1 wind farm SP779522
This view is looking north east form the top of the in-filled shallow cutting that used to contain the SMJ railway. In the background is the M1 motorway that crosses the bridge that used to itself cross the railway. To the left is is a fairly recently constructed but already graffitied building associated with the M1 wind farm that is behind me.
Keywords: SMJ trackbed M1 wind farm SP779522

SMJ trackbed, M1 underbridge SP781524
With traffic crossing the bridge on the M1 motorway, the bridge that used to contain the SMJ railway is seen. I am standing on the former trackbed looking north east. The track has recently been reinforced and sees regular use as it provides access to the M1 wind farm that is behind me.
Keywords: SMJ trackbed M1 underbridge SP781524

SMJ trackbed, M1 underbridge SP781524
A picture that clearly illustrates the interesting design of the M1 bridge that crossed the SMJ railway between Roade and Piddington. If one is travelling on the motorway, this bridge is crossed 1.8 miles south of junction 15 for Northampton. This style of reinforced concrete bridge is typical of the type used when this section of the M1 was built in the late 1950s. It's interesting to note that this section of the M1 opened on 1st November 1959 but that the railway it was crossing at this point had closed seventeen months earlier in June 1958!
Keywords: SMJ trackbed M1 underbridge SP781524

SMJ trackbed, M1 underbridge SP783527
A reverse view of the M1 bridge that once crossed the SMJ railway. The wind turbines reveal the location as being next to the M1 wind farm in Northamptonshire. Despite the motorway opening over a year after the railway it crossed here had closed a substantial reinforced concrete bridge was provided! However, in the defence of the planners, the track was still intact and for a few years this section of the line was used to store hundreds pieces of withdrawn stock that must have made quite a sight.
Keywords: SMJ trackbed M1 underbridge SP783527

SMJ trackbed, M1 underbridge SP784528
With the M1 wind farm dominating the skyline, the motorway goes from left to right atop the embankment. The track in the foreground follows the route of the former SMJ railway the route of which then went through the bridge under the M1.
Keywords: SMJ trackbed M1 underbridge SP784528

SMJ trackbed, Quinton Green bridge SP784528
Following recent road improvements at this location, the brick bridge abutments have been removed and the ends of the embankments have been landscaped and fenced. The car is going down the hill and passing the point where the SMJ railway crossed the Northampton to Salcey Forest road just south of Quinton Green.
Keywords: SMJ trackbed Quinton Green bridge SP784528

Images 1-8 of 8 displayed.