The lost railways of Yorkshire

Preservation efforts and heritage railways

Despite the widespread closures, many of Yorkshire’s lost lines have been persevered and restored as heritage structures thanks to the efforts of dedicated volunteers and conservation societies.

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway, the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway and the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway are just a few examples that have been brought back to life.

They offer a unique opportunity to experience the golden age of steam travel and to learn about the region’s rich history.

The North Midland Railway

One of the most significant lost railways in Yorkshire is the North Midland Railway.

This line once connected Derby to Leeds and was a vital route for passenger and freight traffic. It ran through Cudworth, Barnsley, and Royston before reaching Leeds.

Opened in 1840, it was a fully operational four-track main line that even operated high-speed trains (HSTs) daily.

The line was engineered by George Stephenson, one of the most prominent figures in engineering history.

Despite its importance, the line was closed in the 1980s due to various factors, including mining subsidence and changes in transportation needs.

Today, station platforms, signal box foundations, bridges and tunnels can still be found along the old route.

The Whitby and Pickering Railway

The Whitby and Pickering Railway, now part of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, is another fascinating example.

Originally opened in 1836, the line was one of Yorkshire’s oldest railways, initially using horse-drawn tramways before transitioning to steam locomotives.

It faced numerous challenges, including financial struggles and engineering difficulties.

It was eventually closed in 1965, but was resurrected by preservation efforts spearheaded by the North York Moors Historical Railway Trust Ltd.

The trust has worked tirelessly to maintain and operate the line for the enjoyment of future generations.

The Hudson Way

The Hudson Way connects York and Hull via Beverley, Market Weighton, Pocklington and Stamford Bridge.

This line got its name from George Hudson, the ‘Railway King’. Hudson’s ambitious projects and strategic land acquisitions led to the creation of this line, which played a significant role in the region’s development.

Hudson’s fraudulent practices eventually led to his downfall, and the line was closed following the Beeching cuts in the 1960s.

Today, parts of the route have been transformed into cycle tracks.

The Woodhead Line

The Woodhead Line, which connected Manchester and Sheffield, was known for its engineering marvels, including the Woodhead Tunnel, one of the longest in the world at the time of its construction.

The line was connected to electricity in the 1950s, making it one of the first mainlines in the UK to use electric traction.

Despite its technological advancements, the line was closed in 1981 due to declining freight traffic and high maintenance costs.

The closure was a significant loss for the region, as it had been a vital link between the industrial heartlands of Yorkshire and Lancashire.

The Wensleydale Railway

The Wensleydale Railway, which ran from Northallerton to Garsdale, is another example of a lost railway that has seen a resurgence in recent years.

It originally opened in 1878 but faced multiple closures throughout its history due to changes in transportation needs and financial challenges.

The line was officially closed to passengers in 1954 and to freight traffic in 1992.

However, thanks to the efforts of the Wensleydale Railway Association, the line was partially reopened in 2003 as a heritage site.

The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway

The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway (KWVR) is a preserved standard gauge railway that connects Keighley to Oxenhope in West Yorkshire.

The line was originally opened in 1867 to serve the mills and people of the Worth Valley. It played a crucial role in the region’s industrial development.

It became part of the Midland Railway in 1881 and later the London, Midland and Scottish Railway in 1923.

However, the rise of road transport at the time led to its closure in 1962.

The closure of KWVR sparked local opposition, leading to the formation of the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway Preservation Society who fought to save the line.

The efforts of the society, made up of residents and train enthusiasts, resulted in its reopening in 1968, just weeks before the end of steam on British tracks.

The society purchased diesel railcars, a diesel locomotive, and several steam locomotives and carriages to operate a tourist service.

The Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway

The Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway (E&BASR) is a heritage project in North Yorkshire, formed in 1979 and opened in 1981.

The preserved site is part of the former Midland Railway route from Skipton to Ilkley, which closed in 1965.

The line was left to fall into disrepair until a group of volunteers put forward a plan to reopen it as a preservation route.

The Yorkshire Dales Museum Trust which operates the E&BASR worked to restore and maintain the line.

The tracks run for a total distance of 4 miles from Embsay to Bolton Abbey, carrying around 100,000 passengers a year.

The trust’s long-term objectives include extending the line in both directions, eastwards to Addingham and southwest towards Skipton.

Nature’s reclamation

Yorkshire is home to thousands of forgotten lines that have fallen out of use and been reclaimed by nature.

The abandoned tracks have become wildlife corridors. These areas, now rich in biodiversity, serve as habitats for various species of flora and fauna.

The transformation of these disused tracks into nature reserves and walking trails has turned them into valuable ecological assets.