Year
1834Duration
UnknownCost
UnknownLocation
United KingdomProject achievements
Economy boosted
Businesses and employers drawn to the area, as goods could be transported easier
Connected communities
Quicker, more efficient links between towns and cities
Used engineering skill
The station was able to maintain rail traffic and river navigation
Build Yorkshire's first railway hub
Selby Station holds a special place in Yorkshire’s history. As its first railway station, it marked the beginning of a new era in transportation for the region.
Opened on 22 September 1834, the station was part of the Leeds and Selby Railway, one of Britain’s earliest main lines.
The railway was built to compete with the Leeds and Calder Navigation. It promised to provide a faster and more reliable means of transporting goods and passengers between the industrial city of Leeds and the port town of Selby.
Its arrival contributed to Selby’s economic boom that ran between 1778, with the opening of the local canal, and ended in 1850, when other regional rail advances took over.
The line’s opening was a significant event, celebrated with great enthusiasm as it revolutionised travel and commerce in the area.
According to reports, over 10,000 people witnessed the first train leave Leeds at 6am. Several thousand more were present in Selby to welcome it on arrival at around 9am.
Did you know …
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Imminent train departures used to be signalled by blasts on hunting horns.
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Due to its picturesque and historic setting, Selby Station has been featured in various films and TV shows, including The Railway Children (1970) and The Beiderbecke Affair (1985).
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Selby Station was once a key junction for multiple railway lines, including the former East Coast Main Line route between Doncaster and York.
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Despite its relatively small size, Selby Station sees a considerable amount of traffic. In the 2022-2023 period, it handled over 555,000 passengers.
The original station
The original Selby Station was a large warehouse-like structure, designed to accommodate passenger and freight services.
It featured a wooden trussed roof supported by cast-iron columns, which also served as drainpipes to collect rainwater. The station’s design was practical and robust, reflecting the industrial spirit of the time.
The building measured approximately 245ft (75m) in length and 96ft (29m) in width, covering an area of around three acres. Inside, the station had six lines of track: four for freight and two for passengers.
Initially, passengers had to purchase tickets from the superintendent’s house next to the station before boarding the train. Each ticket was hand-written, with details of the traveller’s address and their desired destination included.
In 1840, the railway line was extended, which called for the construction of a new station.
The original station was repurposed as a goods shed, a role it held for over 100 years.
Why was the line expanded?
Train departures were somewhat linked to the river’s tides and the arrival and departure of packet boats from Hull.
Not only was the train schedule unreliable, but the typical journey for travellers along this line was considered long and tiresome.
Most people would take a boat down the river between Hull and Selby, disembark at the original station and get an onward train to their destination. Because of this, the railway was extended to Hull to improve efficiency, opening in 1840.
The team working on the new Selby Station faced several challenges when undertaking this project, including difficult ground conditions near the river and the need to innovate to build the swing bridge.
The swing bridge
One of the notable features of Selby Station is the swing bridge over the River Ouse.
The double leaf lifting bascule bridge was built in 1840 to facilitate the extension of the Hull and Selby railway.
This type of movable bridge has two sections (leaves) that can be lifted to allow boats and ships to pass through.
The original bridge was replaced with a new horizontal swing bridge in 1891, a significant engineering achievement of its time.
This bridge was crucial for maintaining the flow of rail traffic while allowing river navigation.
Network Rail currently uses the bridge, which underwent major engineering maintenance work in 2014.
Modern era
Today, Selby Station is a Grade II listed building, recognised for its historical and architectural significance.
It continues to serve as a vital junction in the regional rail network, connecting Leeds, Hull and Doncaster.
The station is managed by TransPennine Express and remains a bustling hub for local and long-distance travellers.
Over the years, Selby Station has been rebuilt a few times, notably in 1873 and 1891, to accommodate increasing traffic and technological advancements.
It’s due to be rebuilt again, with the £23M Selby Station Gateway project gaining approval in 2022.
Project milestones
Original Selby Station opens
Railway extended to Hull, and a new station is built, featuring the swing bridge
New horizontal swing bridge is built during redevelopment
Selby Station Gateway project gains approval
People who made it happen
The original station was designed by James Walker and George Smith and built by Atack and Boothman.
The 1891 swing bridge was built by York-based Nelson & Company, and was a significant engineering achievement of its time.
