Monday 17 November 2008

Salt Country.

3 Locks, 5 ½ miles. Now moored at Wheelock

What with traffic noise and heavy overnight rain we were both feeling a bit jaded this morning. When I went down the engine hole this morning I found an unwelcome sight in the stern gland having worked loose and parted company. It was only last week that I tightened it up after repacking so I don't know what caused it to work loose. However it's just as well I keep it well greased so it didn't take long to rectify the problem.

By the time we cast off this morning the weather was improving and as the day wore on we watched the black clouds racing away to the south ahead of us leaving a clear blue sky.

After mooring up we walked into the village for a nosey around and found  an old railway that has been converted into a cycle/walkway from Malkins Bank to Ettily Heath (Sandbach). It turned out to be just a freight line that serviced the Brunner Mond works at Malkins Bank bringing in coal and taking out salt which survived until 1970 and in it's final years a passenger service was introduced. We found the old station but have been unable to find any info as no station is listed under Wheelock. The line appears to have been LMS ex North Staffordshire railways.

1523 locks, 3226 ½ miles, 51 Tunnels, 42 swing bridges and 39 lift bridges since Nov 2006

2 comments:

Paul (from Waterway Routes) said...

I believe the station is called Wheelock & Sandbach. A good source for identifying stations and lines is the New Adlestrope Railway Atlas at http://www.systemed.plus.com/New_Adlestrop_Railway_Atlas.pdf . This is being produced by Richard Fairhurst, editor of Waterways World. Google "I remember Adlestrop" to understand the name.

You can also find other info at http://web.ukonline.co.uk/cj.tolley/rjd/rjd-020.htm and Googling "Wheelock & Sandbach" station (with "&" not "and" as the correct name has an "&") throws up a few more references.

Derek and Dot said...

Hi Paul
Thanks for your very informative comment, will do that, searched google with little results but used 'and' not '&' so will give it a go.
Thanks again.
Derek