Hey folks;

Does anyone know what the current penalty is for trespassing on the railway? Last i heard it was £1000 but my dad thinks you can now be sent to jail?

That's the least of your worries. :rant: :nono: :shakes: :loopy:


Edit: the answer may be on here (http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/section9/chapter_d.html) Imprisonment may be one month.

Of course where it mentions the obstruction of a train, it doesn't remind you that the punishment may be death :D (obviously)

Bloody hell that was a quick response!

That has answered my question! Thanks a lot!!! :clap:

And there's no telling what will happen to you if Mr Strix catches you :rant:

Just as a matter of interest, does anyone know whether the railway line that runs out through Oughtibridge towards Deepcar and Stocksbridge is still classed officially as a railway line, or whether it's now a disused railway? I think trains still run along it occasionally so I'm assuming it's still a proper railway (presumably until such time as the steelworks shuts down).

Originally posted by metalman
Just as a matter of interest, does anyone know whether the railway line that runs out through Oughtibridge towards Deepcar and Stocksbridge is still classed officially as a railway line, or whether it's now a disused railway? I think trains still run along it occasionally so I'm assuming it's still a proper railway (presumably until such time as the steelworks shuts down).

I think there's a clue in the bit where you say "trains still run along it" :P

Well actually what I said was 'I think trains still run along it' but I don't know for sure because on the few occasions I've been over that line on the bridges in the woods, or walked somewhere near it, or on the countless times I've been under the bridge on Herries Road or Halifax Road, I've never actually seen one. Do they?

Have a look at the lines, and see if they are shiny or are badly rusted, but for christs sake dont stand between em to look...just in case ;)

FYI
The line is still used for Freight traffic for the steelworks at Stocksbridge. However there is an organisation that is trying to re-open it to passenger traffic. The Don Valley Railway (www.donvalleyrailway.org) is currently doing a fesability study to see if it is possible.

Edit: You can find out when the trains run by buying a "Freightmaster" available from WHSmith's in Sheffield Midland train station or online at www.freightmaster.uk.com

That's about what I thought. And yes, as far as I can remember the rails do look shiny so that was one of the reasons that I assumed it was still a proper railway line.

I know I did read a thread on here before about reopening this line, and as I far as I'm concerned I think it would be a great idea either as a rail line to Stocksbridge and Manchester, or even just as a tram line to Stocksbridge. Failing that I suppose when the inevitable steelworks shutdown happens it would be good to have it as a cycle track like the other disused lines.

Incidentally, just to make it crystal clear, I certainly wasn't encouraging, or condoning, anyone trespassing on the railway - it's a particulaly idiotic thing to do.

Originally posted by metalman
Incidentally, just to make it crystal clear, I certainly wasn't encouraging, or condoning, anyone trespassing on the railway - it's a particulaly idiotic thing to do.

I can see where you are comming from on this, but as far as i am concerned as long as the person is a genuine enthusiast, takes the proper precautions (i.e. taking a lookout, and wearing the high-vis clothing etc) and does no damage then i cant see a problem (apart from the obvious getitng run over by a train). I know people who like to take photographs of that line as it is part of the old Woodhead route, but they always take a lookout and have a high-vis waistcoat and are never stupid about walking on the line, unlike people he has met, who where at one point actually cycling along the trackbed!

Originally posted by Avalon
as far as i am concerned as long as the person is a genuine enthusiast, takes the proper precautions (i.e. taking a lookout, and wearing the high-vis clothing etc) and does no damage then i cant see a problem (apart from the obvious getitng run over by a train).

You need to have a PTS certificate to wander about on Network Rail's property, besides applying for authorisation to be there and supplying a method statement for your safety arrangements, which will include at least one person with the necessary lookout certification and equipment.

Perhaps the transport police and Network Rail should be informed of this being a particular hotspot for trespass?

If a driver spots you, he is obliged to report an incident of trespass, and the line may be closed. You will then be responsible for the financial losses associated with the resulting delays and cancellations caused by the line closure.

Don't forget, if children see people wandering about down there, they may believe it's safe and venture there themselves.

Originally posted by Strix
You need to have a PTS certificate to wander about on Network Rail's property, besides applying for authorisation to be there and supplying a method statement for your safety arrangements, which will include at least one person with the necessary lookout certification and equipment.

Perhaps the transport police and Network Rail should be informed of this being a particular hotspot for trespass?

If a driver spots you, he is obliged to report an incident of trespass, and the line may be closed. You will then be responsible for the financial losses associated with the resulting delays and cancellations caused by the line closure.

Don't forget, if children see people wandering about down there, they may believe it's safe and venture there themselves.

Children already wander about down there! I agree that you should have all the neccessary paperwork, but some trainspotters just wont listen!

Originally posted by Avalon
Children already wander about down there!

Point proven!

Mr Strix

The line in question used to be used for Sheffield Wednesday matches, when there was a station @ Wadsley Bridge....

We used to play on the line as kids, so kids on that particular stretch of line isn't a new thing (going back to the late 70's-early 80's).

However, we stopped when one of our school friends died on the line near the 5 Arches.:(


Never liked trains since!

Originally posted by Avalon
I can see where you are comming from on this, but as far as i am concerned as long as the person is a genuine enthusiast, takes the proper precautions (i.e. taking a lookout, and wearing the high-vis clothing etc) and does no damage then i cant see a problem (apart from the obvious getitng run over by a train). I know people who like to take photographs of that line as it is part of the old Woodhead route, but they always take a lookout and have a high-vis waistcoat and are never stupid about walking on the line, unlike people he has met, who where at one point actually cycling along the trackbed!

I saw two guys in a blue suzuki 4x4 driving along the track at speed a few months ago. They passed us in the woods heading towards stocksbridge, then we saw them on their return journey along the railway line. There is an area near Deepcar where it is very easy to get a vehicle on the track.

In all fairness the trains are so slow and infrequent through there that there is little danger in being on that section of track.
Other than getting caught by the transport fuzz, which is unlikely...

Have a look at the lines, and see if they are shiny or are badly rusted, but for christs sake dont stand between em to look...just in case

Forget that.
You need an American red indian to kneel down and listen to the track. I have seen them on TV and I think there is one living in Sunderland somewhere :thumbsup:

see signature

The trains are becomming more frequent now i believe

Originally posted by jackthedog
I saw two guys in a blue suzuki 4x4 driving along the track at speed a few months ago. They passed us in the woods heading towards stocksbridge, then we saw them on their return journey along the railway line. There is an area near Deepcar where it is very easy to get a vehicle on the track.


WTF :confused: :loopy: :rant:

Originally posted by Avalon
The trains are becomming more frequent now i believe


Keep believing, keep believing;)

Originally posted by sccsux
Keep believing, keep believing;)

No need to "keep believing"...i have seen them myself during the day, and several other people i know have seen them during the day. I also happen to be friends with the Railways manager at Corus who also tells me that they are going from something like 6 trains a week, mainly at night, to 12 trains a week, with one during the day and one at night.

Originally posted by Strix
WTF :confused: :loopy: :rant:

Yup. Damn pikeys...
Thought they were being a bit 'naughty' when they drove through the woods, but bouncing alongside the railway line made me laugh. I suppose driving along a bridleway doesn't register in the scheme of things.

So ridiculous. Imagine the noise of a car racing across that gravel.