Once I found the place on Google and did some research and found out that it was once one of the largest marshalling yards (a large railway yard in which freight wagons are organised into trains) in Europe.

The place was closed down as road transport became more prevalent and the Yorkshire coal industry slowed.

A bit about Healey Mills Marshalling yard

The Healey Mills Marshalling Yard is a fascinating piece of industrial history that has played a significant role in the transportation of goods across the UK. Located in West Yorkshire, the yard was once one of the busiest in the country, handling thousands of trains every day. Today, it stands as a testament to the ingenuity and hard work of the railway workers who made it all possible.

The marshalling yard was first opened in 1963 and was designed to accommodate the growing demand for freight transportation. It was built on a sprawling 250-acre site and featured 60 miles of railway track, 15 miles of signalling equipment, and a network of cranes and other machinery. At its peak, the yard could handle up to 3000 wagons per day, making it one of the largest and most efficient in Europe.

The yard's operation was a highly coordinated effort, with hundreds of workers involved in the loading, unloading, and shunting of goods. The yard was divided into several sections, each with its own specific purpose. There was a sorting area, where incoming trains were separated and goods were directed to their appropriate destinations. There was also a repair yard, where damaged wagons were repaired and maintained.

One of the most impressive features of the yard was its hump yard, which was used to sort wagons according to their final destination. The hump yard was a raised section of track, which allowed wagons to be pushed over the top and then allowed to roll down to the correct track. This was done using a system of brakes and switches, which ensured that each wagon was directed to the right location.

Despite its impressive size and efficiency, the Healey Mills Marshalling Yard eventually fell out of use in the 1980s, as changes in the transportation industry made it less cost-effective. Today, the yard is largely abandoned, with much of the machinery and equipment either removed or rusting away. However, the site still holds a special place in the hearts of railway enthusiasts and historians alike, who appreciate its significance to the UK's industrial heritage.

Access

I found a couple of potential access points on Google Maps and drove to Ossett. It wasn't particularly easy access but if you have a look around Healey New Mills you should be able to figure it out.

Location

Here is a Google map of the Healey Mills Marshalling yard, this is an embedded Google map, so you can zoom in and out and move around on the map.