Woodhead line

Woodhead line
An electric freight train headed by two Class 76s, about to enter Woodhead Tunnel in 1981
Overview
StatusPartially open
LocaleSouth Yorkshire, Cheshire, Derbyshire and Lancashire
Termini
Service
TypeMain line
SystemNational Rail Network
Services3
Rolling stock
History
Opened1845
Closed1970 (passengers) and 1981 (goods)
Technical
Number of tracks2
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Electrification1,500 V DC Overhead line
Route map

(Click to expand)
Manchester–Sheffield–Wath
electric railway
incorporating the Woodhead line
Manchester Piccadilly
Ardwick
Ashburys
Gorton
Fairfield
Guide Bridge
Dewsnap sidings
Flowery Field
Newton for Hyde
Godley
Godley East
Godley Junction
Hope Valley line
Hattersley
Broadbottom
Etherow viaduct
Dinting viaduct
Dinting
Glossop
Hadfield
Crowden
Woodhead
Dunford Bridge
Hepworth Iron and Steel
Hazlehead Bridge
Penistone Goods
Penistone
Barnsley Junction
Oxspring viaduct
Oxspring tunnel
Silkstone tunnel 2
Silkstone tunnel 1
Wentworth Silkstone colliery
M1
Swaithe viaduct
Hallam Line & Penistone Line
Wombwell Main
exchange sidings
Wombwell Main Junction
Aldham Junction
Wombwell Central
Elsecar Junction
Wath Central
Rumtickle Viaduct
Wortley
Stocksbridge steel works
Deepcar
Oughty Bridge
Wadsley Bridge
Neepsend
Sheffield Victoria
Sheffield (Midland)
Midland Main Line
Nunnery Junction
Woodburn Junction
Darnall

The Woodhead line was a railway line linking Sheffield, Penistone and Manchester in the north of England. A key feature of the route is the passage under the high moorlands of the northern Peak District through the Woodhead Tunnels. The line was electrified in 1953 and closed between Hadfield and Penistone in 1981.

The Manchester to Glossop/Hadfield section is still in operation; east of the Pennines, the vicinity of Penistone and the Sheffield to Deepcar section are still open, although the latter is goods-only. The track has been lifted on other sections and much of the trackbed now forms part of the Trans-Pennine Trail and National Cycle Route 62.