Passing Bulholme Lock

A Broader Outlook: NarrowBoat, Autumn 2026

Christopher M Jones

Chris M. Jones examines Jack Parkinson photos of a loaded compartment-boat train on the Aire & Calder in 1964

Having left Castleford behind a tug, a full train of compartment boats heads east along Castleford Cut towards Bulholme Lock, with the large chemical works of Hickson & Welch Ltd at Castleford Ings providing the backdrop. The company produced chemicals for dyes and wood preservatives. Between the tug and the lead compartment boat is a false bow section, inserted to make the tow more efficient by forcing the wash from the tug to pass below and either side of the loaded boat and avoid drag. This section was given various names such as ‘headpiece’, ‘cutwater hulk’ and ‘quarter boat’, although perhaps its best known today is ‘jebus’. Having fully entered Bulholme Lock, the train is descending to the lower navigable River Aire level, which joins the navigation just a few yards below the lock from the right. Notice the centre traffic-light signal on the overhead gantry showing red. Bulholme Lock was built in 1828 and was lengthened in the …