Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway

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The Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway is a volunteer-run, preserved Heritage Railway which does not receive any grants or subsidies towards running. Skipton platforms 5 & 6 (proposed). One of two long-term objectives (since 2000), the proposed northern terminus of the line to interchange with Northern train services on the nearby Airedale Line. An extension to Addingham would be a huge project, and would involve a near-doubling of the line's current length. Previous extensions have been built in small sections over a long period of time, so a re-opening of the line to Addingham would be many years off.

Draughton (proposed). In the old days of the Midland (later LMS) Railway, there were once plans to build a little halt called Draughton, at the siding, "marking where it was to be built but never had". A59, from Liverpool, the M6 and Preston (The West): Follow the A59 towards Skipton, and then follow the signs for ‘Embsay Steam Railway’ to get to Embsay Station. If you want to get to Bolton Abbey Station, continue along the A59, towards Harrogate and alongside part of the railway, until it is signposted as ‘Bolton Abbey Station’. Bolton Abbey. Current terminus of the line. Facilities include booking office, waiting room, toilets, a souvenir shop and tearoom For Bolton Abbey Station, continue along the A59 towards Harrogate, and alongside part of the railway, until ‘Bolton Abbey Station’ is signposted. A65, from the M6 (The West): Follow the A65 towards Skipton, and follow the brown signs for ‘Embsay Steam Railway’ to get to Embsay Station (this will involve turning left onto the A59).The Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway is a heritage railway formed in 1979 and opened in 1981. It runs four miles between the Embsay Station and Bolton Abbey Station and travels through some dramaticDales scenery. Since then, Bolton Abbey Station has been restored to its original 1800’s style with Victorian and Edwardian carriages, with Platform 1 re-opening in 1998 and Platform 2 and 3 being reinstated at a later date. Walks and activities Embsay railway station was built in 1888. Bolton Abbey village is named after the nearby 12th century Bolton Priory, belonging to the Dukes of Devonshire.

Our organisation was initially set up with the intention to preserve the adjacent railway line which runs to Swinden Quarry, near Grassington. This is the line that was built by the Yorkshire Dales Railway Company.

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The embankment supporting Addingham railway station, goods yard and depot was removed and replaced in the 1980s with a housing development, with the bridge and abutments over the main road demolished at around the same time. A59, from York, the A1 and Harrogate (The East): Follow the A59 towards Skipton, following the signposts marked ‘Bolton Abbey Station’ for Bolton Abbey Station. For Embsay Station, continue past Bolton Abbey Station, and follow the road, alongside part of the railway, towards Skipton. Follow the signs for ‘Embsay Steam Railway’. Car parking spaces are reserved close to both station buildings for ease of access. There are wheelchair-accessible toilets at both Embsay and Bolton Abbey stations. Embsay. Re-opened in 1981, restored to its former LMS condition. The current terminus of the line. Facilities include booking office, waiting room, toilets and souvenir shop.

In 1982 there were plans to extend the line to Skipton, as a special DMU service was running at the time. [ citation needed] Because British Rail still used the section between the two stations for its operations to Swinden Quarry (this section of the old branch line to Grassington was and is still part of the rail network), plans were dropped, stating that operating as far as Skipton whilst sharing the line with the goods operation was too problematic. A65, from Ilkley and Otley (The East): Follow the A65 until you reach the junction with the A59. Turn left and follow the brown tourist signs for ‘Embsay Steam Railway’ to get to Embsay Station. Experience two historic journeys in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales! Skipton Boat Trips and Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway have joined together to create Rail and Sail – a wonderfully nostalgic day out. AccessHaw Bank Tunnel. The 220yd long railway tunnel, located en route between Skipton station and Embsay Junction. Embsay Junction. Located close to Embsay station and connects to the Rylstone line (section of the former Grassington Branch). The Addingham extension could start off as an extension to a possible halt Wharfe Riverside located near the hamlet of Bolton Bridge [ clarification needed]), before Addingham could be considered officially. The platforms at Skipton (5 & 6) that served the Ilkley route were made redundant in 1965. If this link were reinstated these platforms would require a rebuild as they have been disused for a very long time. The route was formerly part of the Midland Railway line that connected Skipton and Ilkley via Addingham. The line was shut down by British Railways in 1965 and was left to fall in disrepair. Around 14 years after closure, a group of volunteers put forward a plan in 1979 to reopen the line as a preservation route. This plan went ahead and Embsay railway station was refurbished throughout the second half of the 1970s and reopened in 1981. Much of the route between Addingham and Ilkley has been re-developed since abandonment. Cuttings have been filled in and Ilkley viaduct was demolished in 1973, six years before the E&BASR re-opened.

From the Bolton Abbey Station you can enjoy a walk to the priory , set in a spectacular setting. You can also access The Strid Wood , an area of ancient woodland with lots of wonderful wildlife; and The Strid a natural wonder, where the river suddenly narrows forcing the water through at great pressure. These would be over the main road from the now defunct former station and goods depot. Funds would need to be collected for 10 to 15 years before any project of this extent could be realised. This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( March 2016) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message) However, this line did not close (limestone trains from the quarry still use the line today) and so the society switched its attentions to restoring the old Midland Railway route which runs from Skipton, through Embsay, Bolton Abbey and Addingham to Ilkley, which closed in 1965. For Bolton Abbey Station, turn right onto the A59 and follow this road (which runs alongside part of the railway) until the station is signposted as ‘Bolton Abbey Station’.

Taking the line to Addingham and re-opening Addingham is often mentioned as a potential project but the line's owners have stated that they intend to consolidate the current route instead. [4] By 1987 further extensions brought the line to a newly constructed halt at Holywell and later to Stoneacre Loop. Bolton Abbey railway station finally reopened in 1998, bringing the current total of over 4 miles in length. The railway has helped and supported the surrounding area (and local economy) to regenerate and provide brand new attractions, boosting both trade and tourism.