Lydgate Tunnel

Lydgate Tunnel

Lydgate tunnel lies between Grotton and Grasscroft.

When it was constructed it was the longest railway tunnel in the Oldham at 1335 yards. According to historical documents :
The average cost of the Lydgate Tunnel, per lineal yard through rock £26 - a lot of money for 1335 yards of it!

In 2007 residents in the area began voicing fears that the tunnel could collapse and lead to subsidence in their homes.

Remedial work was undertaken in 2008 to repair sections of the tunnel lining, though the British Railways Board gave assurances that the work was part of an ongoing maintenance program and the tunnel was never in any danger of collapse.

The 'Delph Donkey' railway

The 'Delph Donkey' was the nickname given to a 'push-pull' LNWR (London North Western Railway) branch line which
opened in 1849 to connect Oldham, Greenfield and Delph to the main Huddersfield to Manchester line.
However, the line to Greenfield Junction from Mumps and the stations at Lees,
Grotton and Grasscroft opened on 5th July 1856. The line was the brainwave of James Lees of Delph,
a mill owner, who pressured LNWR for it's construction.

The route started at Oldham Clegg Street.
The next stop was Oldham Glodwick Road before it's route to Lees.

It's at the intersection of Station Street that the train would have passed under Oldham Road.

If you follow the bridlepath today, you are able to walk the route the train would have taken before it's next stop,
Grotton & Springhead Station.

Just past here the trian would have entered the West portal of Lydgate tunnel.

At the East portal point of Lydgate tunnel, little can be seen due to overgrown vegetation.
The next stop would be Grasscroft Halt before joining the main line to Greenfield.

It continued on the line until Moorgate Halt set above Uppermill.

It then left the main line and veered sharply to the left to follow the perimeter of the now disused
Ladcastle Quarry before reaching Dobcross station. It then continued to Delph with one additional stop
that served the 'Measurements' factory on Delph New Road where they made meters.
Trains only called here at the start and end of each working day. (Oldham Advertiser)

Eventually, the line terminated at Delph where a private siding served Messrs Mallalieu's Bailey Mill( se other report for this building)
There was also a goods shed and coal staithes serving local businesses. The terminus at Delph still stands today as a private residence.

As a result of dwindling passengers, the last passenger train ran on 30th April 1955, while goods continued to
be shunted until 4th November 1963. The eventual closure to the line was due to a recurring financial loss each year.
Most of the railway workers either took redundancy or were shifted to Mumps.

Finally in 1964, the track was lifted.

As for the donkey ? Well the rumour goes that the carriages were pulled by a donkey in the opening years.
However, there is no firm evidence that supports it ....

Reading in the archives of the Oldham Evening Chronicle, there was a suggestion in 1986,
that Oldham Council were considering the re-instatement of the line, but I imagine that the costs involved
would have exceeded its' gamble for success.

Today, the Saddleworth Historical Society occasionally feature the 'Delph Donkey' in its' newsletters as a
pleasant nature walk, and some memorabilia can even be viewed in the Saddleworth Museum.

The Grotton Lido
For those who are too young to remember (including myself), the Grotton Lido was a 180 foot purpose built open-air
swimming pool situated in Grotton Hollow. Built on the former Dunkerley's Mill site by Messrs Whitehouse and Stubbs,
they intended to create a semi-holiday resort and that Grotton might benefit from the glories previously enjoyed by
nearby Lees, to where Manchester physicians sent patients to recuperate.

The lido was officially opened on the 11th May 1935 by the Chairman of the Springhead Council, Harry Wilde JP.
Other features included a water chute and a high diving board. There was also a dance floor and a bandstand where
the 'White Star Dance Band' used to play on Tuesday and Saturday evenings.