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Tealeaf · 16-09-2004, 12:09

Oh Dear..........It must be that strong German beer on the the brain cells, Darby. The canal tow path runs alonside the coke ovens; it switches to the other side at Church Kirk bridge and stays threre until it reaches Clayton (see the previous attachment on the toffs at the Dunkenhalgh estate)

Until about 1970, the support for the winding engine above the Aspen Colliery shaft was still in place by the coking ovens. This was pulled down and the little canal "inlet or dock" all tidied up about then. Like the warehouse further along, this was a technologically advanced facility for it's time. The coal came up the shaft, into the ovens, then loaded onto barges in the dock an away. Once again, clever stuff.

Some of you may also recall the wooden signals box which stood close by. Again, this was pulled down about 1970, as the signals moved from manual to electronic. The interesting thing about the railway as it crosses from this point towards Rishton is that it appears to be built on a massive embankment across Aspen valley. But it's not an embankment; it's actually a huge wooden viaduct which was filled in with soil sometime around 1900. I've seen piccy's before....it would be nice to have posted on here. Anyone help....Atarah?

16-09-2004, 12:09	#52
Tealeaf God Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Paradise Lost Posts: 7,220 Liked: 11 times Rep Power: 4266	Re: church Oh Dear..........It must be that strong German beer on the the brain cells, Darby. The canal tow path runs alonside the coke ovens; it switches to the other side at Church Kirk bridge and stays threre until it reaches Clayton (see the previous attachment on the toffs at the Dunkenhalgh estate) Until about 1970, the support for the winding engine above the Aspen Colliery shaft was still in place by the coking ovens. This was pulled down and the little canal "inlet or dock" all tidied up about then. Like the warehouse further along, this was a technologically advanced facility for it's time. The coal came up the shaft, into the ovens, then loaded onto barges in the dock an away. Once again, clever stuff. Some of you may also recall the wooden signals box which stood close by. Again, this was pulled down about 1970, as the signals moved from manual to electronic. The interesting thing about the railway as it crosses from this point towards Rishton is that it appears to be built on a massive embankment across Aspen valley. But it's not an embankment; it's actually a huge wooden viaduct which was filled in with soil sometime around 1900. I've seen piccy's before....it would be nice to have posted on here. Anyone help....Atarah?