The Micklehurst Loop – an update at the beginning of 2025

I am indebted to ‘David’ for an update on the Plevin owned railway land in Mossley. …

It is a few years since I wrote a series of articles about the Micklehurst Loop which can be found on this blog. Circumstances have since changed at what was the Plevin site. Plevin’s relocated in 2024 to another site and their yard has been gradually deteriorating since then.

The original series of articles can be found here. [1] Following the link takes you to the latest blog post on the theme (which will be this one), scrolling down the webpage will bring you to the start of the series. My articles about the line follow the line from Stalybridge to Diggle. You will note that there are a number of addenda to the main series of articles.

When we walked the line as exercise during COVID it was not possible to gain access to Plevin’s site. Plevin’s property was covered in the second of four substantive articles about the line which can be found here. [2]

This coloured version of the 25″ Ordnance Survey of 1890/1891 was published in 1894. It shows Mossley’s stations on the Micklehurst Loop. At the top of the image the passenger station stands on embankment with the station building a little to the South on the East side of the line. The goods station which primarily consisted of the large goods shed is towards the bottom of the map extract. The railway and yard sit high above the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. [4]
A closer satellite view of Plevin’s site in 2025 – this is the latest view of the site available on Google Maps. The lighter roof is that of the old goods shed the darker grey roofing is over later buildings built over the running lines of the Micklehurst Loop. [Google Maps, January 2025]
The same buildings but this time as seen on Google Earth 3D imagery seen from the South. This is the current view on Google Earth at the beginning of 2025. [Google Earth 3D, January 2025]

‘David”s report on 28dayslater.co.uk is a comprehensive look at the site and its history. That report can be found here. [3] ‘David’ kindly sent through some of his photographs, of which a selection appear below.

The old goods shed in Mossley which was in use by Plevin’s until 2024, there are three floors inside the building, © David and used by kind permission.
A view along one elevation of the structure, © David and used by kind permission.
The rear elevation of the goods shed forms one wall of the Weldem’s workshop behind the shed, © David and used by kind permission.
The interior of the Weldem’s workshop behind the goods shed, © David and used by kind permission.
Two more views of the goods shed from within the Weldem’s workshop, © David and used by kind permission.
Two interior shots of the goods shed after abandonment by Plevin’s, © David and used by kind permission.

‘David’ commented in January 2025 that the site is suffering some vandal damage now that no security is provided. A fuller impression of the site and its condition in 2025 can be gained by consulting David’s post on 28dayslater.co.uk.

References

  1. https://rogerfarnworth.com/category/railways-and-tramways-blog/british-isles-railways-and-tramways/greater-manchester-and-surrounding-areas/the-micklehurst-loop
  2. https://rogerfarnworth.com/2021/02/21/the-micklehurst-loop-part-2
  3. https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/weldems-plevin-mossley-01-24.139375, accessed on 27th January 2025.
  4. https://maps.nls.uk/view/126521954, accessed on 29th January 2025.

1 thought on “The Micklehurst Loop – an update at the beginning of 2025

  1. David's avatarDavid

    Hi Roger, love to see the update and usage of the film shots! All I’d say is that the large open space was actually the Weldem’s workshop behind the shed, inside of the shed was very cramped and dark yet if you have a keen eye, you’d notice it’s the exact same as the Millbrook shed essentially

    Glad to see you enjoyed the update though 🙏

    Reply

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