Storeton Tramway

By George York

Old Map West Tramway
Old Map West
Tramway

Old Map East Tramway
Old Map East
Tramway

Aerial View 1
Aerial View 1

Aerial View 2
Aerial View 2

This was a single track, standard gauge railway which was used to transport stone from the 3 quarries at Storeton to Bromborough Pool. From there it was taken by barge to Birkenhead and Liverpool to be used in the construction of buildings.

Before the railway was built, horse drawn wagons were used. This took about 3 weeks for the total trip of two and a half miles. This was due to breakdowns and the need for blocks to be cut to ease handling.

The idea of constructing such a railway dates back to the late 1820’s, when in 1828 George Stephenson visited the quarries. He was looking for stone to complete the Sankey Viaduct. Construction of the Storeton line began in April 1837 and was completed in August 1838 at a cost of £12,000.The original name was Sir Thomas Massey

Stanley’s Railway or The Stourton Railway (original spelling of village) In the quarries latter years it was known as Storeton Quarries Tramway. After closure it became known as Storeton Tramway. However, now it is remembered as Wagon Line.

The line serviced three quarries, Storeton North, Storeton Southand Jackie’s Wood Quarry which was on the East side of Mount Road. It started at the North Quarry, then past the South Quarry,over Rest Hill Road, through Hancock’s Wood and into the 60yd tunnelunder Mount Road. It emerged in Jackie’s Wood Quarry. Then across Bracken Lane, Cross Lane and Church Road (near to St Andrews Church) and onto the Quay at Bromborough Pool. There was also a branch line onto the Birkenhead to Chester line. From the quarries to Mount Road the wagons were hauled by horses, but from then on they were propelled by gravity at speeds of up to twenty miles per hour. Horses providing the power for the return journey at a more sedate speed. The old journey time of three weeks had been reduced to less than 30 minutes by changing from horse drawn road wagons to a railway.

Present Site of Jackie's Wood
Present Site of
Jackie's Wood

Old Map West tramway
Route to South
Quarry

Tracks Leading to North Quarry
Tracks Leading
to North Quarry

Close up of Plaque
Close up of
Plaque

Tracks leading to South Quarry
Tracks leading
to South Quarry

Route to Hancock's Wood
Route to
Hancock's Wood

Old Map West tramway
Cutting to Mount
Road Tunnel

West Entrance to Mount Road Tunnel
West Entrance to
Mount Road Tunnel

Old Map West tramway
Looking down at
West Entrance of
Mount Road Tunnel

By the 1890’s quarrying stopped at the North Quarry and the line was removed. The South Quarry and Jackie’s Wood Quarry were the only active ones. The last wagon was in 1905, and the tramway was then abandoned. The advent of efficient powered vehicles had been the death of the old tramway. The two disused Storeton Quarries were filled in using stone from the excavation of the Birkenhead Tunnel. Jackie’s Wood being filled in used stone from the Wallasey Tunnel.

During the Second World War, the Mount Road tunnel was converted into an air raid shelter by a local man, Mr Jacques; fitting bunks and a protective door. Stone excavations at this site caused a collapse and it became two shorter tunnels.

Old Map West tramway
Site of collapsed middle of
Mount Road tunnel looking West

Old Map West tramway
Site of collapsed middle of
Mount Road tunnel looking East

As the years pass, the remains of the tramway become less and less. You can still see the cutting which approaches the west entrance to the Mount Road tunnel. Also parts of the cutting to the North quarry are still visible. Also the stone sleeper blocks used to secure the rails. These blocks, distinguishable by four bolt holes, have been incorporated in walls around the area.