HORBURY & OSSETT

The name of the railway station which purported to serve both towns sums up where we're going in this post. Don't forget, there's a map of the route and it can be found here. We've left South Yorkshire behind and find ourselves back in West Yorkshire. Our first stop is Horbury Junction, where the Barnsley branch left the L&YR main line. 

The LMS built a two platform wooden station here.

The River Calder is close by.

Further to the west, at the other end of the triangle of lines, was Horbury & Ossett station.

It was an important place on the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway.

As we enter the town of Horbury, we find the rather fine Cricketers Arms, a bit of a real ale paradise.

Horbury is dominated by its church.

Here's the High Street, with a West Riding tram.

Boon's is a free house these days, but was once tied to Clarks of Wakefield.

The Kings Arms was a Marston's pub when photographed back in 2000.

Down, now, to Horbury Bridge, over the River Calder.

The Bingley Arms is at Horbury Bridge, but it's a bit more modern than seen here. It still serves cask beer.

To the northwest was Healey Mills marshalling yard and associated diesel depot.

Back in 1905, there was a foot ferry across the Calder.

The Brewers Pride at Healey (since changed its name, but still in business) was once home to Ossett Brewery, which has since moved elsewhere.

Let's head along Station Road towards Ossett town centre.

The Great Northern Railway had its own station in central Ossett.

Ossett Market Place was served by West Riding trams.

Today, the major bus operator into Ossett bus station is Arriva.

Station Coaches run a service to Wakefield.

Close to the bus station, the Bier Huis, an off-license really, but one can drink inside. A great selection to choose from.

Just around the corner, the Horse & Jockey, a good example of a Samuel Smith's house.

The Red Lion is, I'm told, still worth visiting.

On the edge of the town centre, The Tap, effectively the showpiece outlet for Ossett Brewery.

The area was once riddled with coal mines and it's appropriate that we conclude this post at one - Roundwood Colliery, near Ossett (not to be confused with Roundwood near Rotherham).

Next time, onwards to Dewsbury.

A LOOP AROUND BARNSLEY, THEN FLYING OFF AT A TANGENT

 We follow the GCR route towards Penistone for a short distance to Summer Lane station.

Just off Summer Lane itself is the Moulders Arms.

And on Summer Lane, the George & Dragon.

Not far away, the Miners Rest, a former John Smith's house.

We skirt around Barnsley town centre to the junction of the Sheffield and Doncaster roads. This is where the Dearne District trams terminated, not having a connection with the Barnsley system.

A Yorkshire Woollen District car on loan to Barnsley & District on Sheffield Road.

A "proper" Barnsley tram, no. 10, further along, heading into town.

Upper Sheffield Road was the home of Yorkshire Traction, who maintained a large depot there. Seen here is no. 130c, an ex Camplejohn Sentinel.

Now, a rebuilt Leyland PS2 proudly showing off its new Roe body.

Here are a few scenes from the early 1970s, when NBC red had begun to take over.

Moving forward to 1979 and a Leyland Atlantean had been converted to a trainer bus.

The Old White Bear was a great real ale pub, but has long closed.

Not far away was the famous Barnsley Brewery, sadly brewing no more.

Here's my tribute to Barnsley Brewery.

Down into the Dearne Valley (see the map here) and we would have found Oaks Colliery many moons ago.

The Barnsley British Cooperative Society ran a small fleet of coaches and had a depot around here, where this fine Foden is seen in 1963 (Les Flint).

Our next stop is the Keel Inn, not far from the Dearne & Dove and Barnsley Canals.

The Barnsley Canal crossed the Dearne Valley by means of this aqueduct seen in 1910.

A year later - a little problem!

I had a wander around here in 1991 and here is the former junction of the two canals.

The remains of the old junction lock.

A short section of the canal is still in water. The winding gear of Barnsley Main Colliery can be seen in the distance.

At Stairfoot, the Great Central Railway crossed the Dearne & Dove Canal.

GCR 0-6-2T no. 1607 rests between shunts at Stairfoot.

Another 1911 mishap.

Here's Stairfoot Junction station in pre-grouping times.

Stairfoot Junction in 1935. The Midland Railway crosses over the top, while the Hull & Barnsley veers off to the right.

Doncaster Road, Stairfoot, in the 1920s.

To the north, Cundy Cross, where the 900 year old Mill of The Black Monks no longer serves cask beer.

More monastic history at Monk Bretton - the ruins of the priory.

Here's a bit of old Monk Bretton.

Monk Bretton Colliery, long gone, of course.

Monk Bretton once had a small Midland Railway station, served by Cudworth to Barnsley trains.

That's where I'll end this post. Next time, a return to West Yorkshire.