THE FACIT BRANCH: ROCHDALE TO BACUP

ROCH VIADUCT

Looking north-west along the crest of the old railway embankment that carried the Facit Branch and two parallel sidings towards the Roch Viaduct. Almost 50 years since the last trains ran, the embankment has been developed by the Forestry Commission, in partnership with other organisations, as Roch Wood. The footpath provides a pleasant ‘green corridor’ through an inner area of Rochdale, and at the time of this visit in early June 2016 was lined with wild ramsons, bistort and bluebells. Ian Holt’s photograph of 18 August 1967 from a mineral train shows a similar viewpoint; the contrast between the urban industrial scene then and a tranquil rural retreat now could not be more striking.
Photo by Alan Young

Last updated: Thursday, 18-May-2017 17:19:23 CEST
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