By Dave Goodison

The first services from Sheffield to Manchester started in December 1845 and the first trains stopped at all stations giving a journey time 2 hours and 13 minutes. This timing involved 20 stops. The first what were ‘loosely called’ “expresses” ran from 1877 with a journey time of 1 hour 10minutes. London to Manchester trains commenced on 15th March 1899 and the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway became part of The Great Central Railway.

Most of the local stations Deepcar, Oughtibridge and Wadsley Bridge were built in 1845 with very sparse facilities. Deepcar Station buildings which still exist were built in 1865 and cost around £6,500.

The first through electrically hauled train ran on September 14th 1954. The last electrically hauled train ran on July 18th 1981. The line from Penistone to Sheffield was kept open until 1983 for Huddersfield, Penistone, Sheffield services. These were diverted via Barnsley in 1983 and the only piece of the Woodhead Route left was from Sheffield Victoria – Deepcar for works traffic only.

We must save at least some of this wonderful route.