Micklehurst Railway Warehouse

 

Nestled amidst the dense woodland near Heyrod and Stalybridge lies a forgotten relic of a bygone era: an old warehouse built by the London and North Western Railway (LNWR) sometime in the 1800s. Its history is intertwined with the rise and fall of Hartshead Power Station, which dominated the valley across the canal for much of the 20th century.

The warehouse's story begins with the Micklehurst loop line, a railway line passing close by. With the construction of Hartshead Power Station in 1926, the demand for coal soared. To meet this demand, the LNWR expanded the warehouse facilities in 1932. This expansion included extensive coal sidings capable of holding 130 wagons, each carrying 12 tons of coal. A conveyor system was also installed, designed to transport this coal efficiently across the canal and up the valley to the power station. Additionally, six coal shoots serviced a smaller yard nearby, further streamlining the coaling process.

The Micklehurst line itself ceased regular operation in 1966. However, a short section remained in use to service the power station until its closure in 1979. Despite the demolition of the power station, the old warehouse and part of the conveyor system continue to stand. However, their large size belies their obscurity. Dense woodland conceals them from view, and during the summer months, they remain hidden from the old trackbed until you are practically upon them.

Tunnel close to the warehouse

Part of the conveyor is still in place.