Wharf At Wincham T & M.

[Heartland]

It is actually Bonners Green Akali Works, which had the short life.

 

 

 

The 1897  25 inch map shows the track beside the basin, the standard gauge track to the basin wich seems to be on an embankment.

 

 

Edited February 16, 2022 by Heartland

[Chris Lowe]

I wonder if we'll ever get to the bottom of this

[IanM]

To me it looks like the track on both sides run up to the canal but don’t actually pass under. The one on the right running up an embankment to a wharf where the one on the right is just a long siding. 

[Derek R.]

A later map shows the 'tramway' on the left hand side diverted 'off' the embankment, and truncated on the other side.

This is OS 1949 - 1970

 

[Heartland]

The left hand side tramway as shown by Derek may be the Harris depot siding

 

As to getting to the final answer, I suppose a mention in NSR records may resolve it.

However as previously stated the Davis Brothers operation at Bonners Green did apply to cross the road in order to get to the Trent & Mersey Canal. In 1900 their chemical and alkali factory was up for sale. Their standard gauge sidings and a Peckett Locomotive were mentioned in the sale as well as separate listing for a steam hoist, tramway, hopper feed and tippler.

 

These latter features are all to be seen on the map of 1897 as distinct from the standard gauge siding. The canal carried limestone to the  various alkali works place along its length before ICI/ Brunner established their rail served limestone quarries in the Peak District. The canal also carried the sulphide ores.

 

So it remains the suggestion that the tramway carried one of these items, or both, from the canal basin. Geographical difficulties at the road and Bone works would hinder the establishment of a wharf on the offside, which no doubt would have been a preferable option and so like Sherlock Holmes having eliminated the other option the concept of a tramway under the canal becomes most likely.