| For many years I have driven through Hemel Hempstead and failed to explore the remnants of the old branch from Harpenden. Having explored the route around Redbourn and Harpenden in the early 1990's, I finally decided to address the lack of attention to the western end of the line this year. All that remains to be covered is the section from Heath Park to Hemel Hempstead, and the area around Claydales siding, unfortunately these sections have been subject to redevelopment, but nevertheless, I will be including it here when time permits.
Opening on Monday 16 July 1877, the Harpenden to Hemel Hempstead branchline enjoyed a life of just over 100 years. Passenger services succumbed in LMS days in 1947. Freight died a lingering death throughout the late fifties and early sixties until a renaissance under the auspices of Hemelite in 1968, ensured a regular freight flow from Harpenden to their Claydale siding. Sadly British Rail's Midland electrification project didn't include retention of the branch from Harpenden to Claydale, and on 24 July 1979 the connection to the branch was severed at Harpenden Junction. Much of the trackbed today from Harpenden up to the outskirts of Hemel Hempstead can be walked. Some earthworks to accomodate a bypass at Redbourn have created some upheaval to the infrastructure, but generally the trackbed is undisturbed and a few old relics can be found if you look hard enough! Another website detailing some excellent publications and a DVD relating to the branch, can be accessed here: http://uk.geocities.com/nickey_line/index.htm |
01 Harpenden North Jct viewed from a passing train. The line curved away through the first arch. A signalbox controlled the junction, situated in the 'V' of lines beyond the arch. Buy Print |
02 Roundwood Halt platform still survives, this view is looking down to Hemel Hempstead. This section is now a public footpath through to the outskirts of Hemel Hempstead. Buy Print |
03 Roundwood Halt platform looking east towards Harpenden North Jct Buy Print |
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04 A distant signal still remains at Roundwood Halt! This view is looking towards Harpenden in March 1990 Buy Print |
05 If you study this image hard enough you will see a Midland Railway gradient arm. It reads 1in 647/390. Whether this survives today is anyones guess! Buy Print |
06 A few sleepers remain embedded in the path at a farm crossing on the outskirts of Harpenden. Looking up the line to Harpenden. Buy Print |
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07 An old telegraph pole complete with insulator lies forgotten near Rothamsted Experimental Station. Buy Print |
08 A bypass now cuts across the route of the railway to the south of Redbourn. However, seen here in 1989, a small section of embankment survives sandwiched between the A5183 and the B487. Buy Print |
09 Redbourn looking west towards Hemel Hempstead. The station was at this approximate location. Buy Print |
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10 Beaumonts Halt platform was on the left, this view is looking up to Harpenden. A crossing keepers house stood near this spot. All gone now..... Buy Print |
20 Queensway passed beneath the railway and the impressive bridge remains in situ today. Either side of it a short stretch of embankment survives. Buy Print |
21 Standing on the bridge over Queensway and looking down towards Hemel Hempstead. Buy Print |
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22 The short embankment adjacent to the Queensway bridge peters out and the modern housing occupies the former railway in this view looking towards Hemel Hempstead. Buy Print |
23 Adeyfield Road crossed over the railway, the parapet survives on one side of the now widened road. Buy Print |
24 Peering over the remaining parapet, the trackbed has been converted into a foot and cycle path. This view looking towards Harpenden. Buy Print |
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25 Standing with the surviving parapet immediately behind, this is the depressing view towards the former station and goods sidings here. Buy Print |
26 The Midland Hotel survives on the left, modern housing now stands where the former station and goods yard was. Buy Print |
30 Heath Park Halt opened in 1905 and closed to passengers in 1947. During the new town development of Hemel Hempstead in the sixties, Kodak built their adminstrative offices on the site. Today the offices are disused and hopefully this eyesore will shortly be demolished! Buy Print |
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31 A siding branched away at Heath Park Halt and served Cotterells Siding. This siding ran parallel to the road seen here and stretched as far as Boxmoor Iron Works which was situated behind the photographer. Buy Print |
32 The line was carried on a series of embankments that crossed the various physical obstructions like roads on overbridges. Once the line closed the embankments were removed and used to fill in the cutting adjacent to the Marlowes. This view is looking to the Heath Park Halt site, skirting what is now the Hemel Hempstead Cricket Clubhouse. Buy Print |
33 Bridge 22 crossed the Grand Junction (formerly Grand Union canal) at this point. A few bricks denote the location of the former abutements. Heath Park is in the distance. Buy Print |
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34 With the canal behind the photographer, this view is looking towards the remaining stump of the embankment. The field in the foreground is bisected by the River Bulbourne. Buy Print |
35 The River Bulbourne meanders gently passed the few brick remains of Bridge 24, viewed towards Heath Park. Buy Print |
36 From the top of the surviving embankment, overlooking the River Bulbourne, with Heath Park Halts site marked by the concrete carbuncle that was Kodaks offices. Buy Print |
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37 With London Road immediately behind me, this view is along the length of the remaining strip of embankment as far as its cessation before the River Bulbourne. Buy Print |
38 The remaining length of embankment strides a short distance across Boxmoor, sandwiched between London Road and the River Bulbourne which can just be viewed on the right. Buy Print |
39 A few old sleepers slowly rot into oblivion, and provide a clue as to the former use of the 'curious mound' that passing motorists glimpse as they drive along the London Road. This view is overlooking the road, towards the Gas Works. Buy Print |
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40 The Kodak building and the trees on the remaining embankment mark the course of the old line, which would have crossed London Road and ended in sidings at the Gasworks site, seen here undergoing redevelopment. Buy Print |
The gas works was served by the line from Harpenden up until 1959 when a new connection was provided from the WCML Boxmoor Sidings. This new siding was short-lived, falling into disuse when the gasworks closed in 1960! This view looking in the general direction of the WCML completes the trip from Harpenden to Hemel Hempstead. Buy Print |
