Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway

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The line runs through the countryside of the Yorkshire Dales in the county council area of North Yorkshire. 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.

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. 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. 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’. 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.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]

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. 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.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. There are plans to rebuild one of the bridge abutments at the end of the surviving embankment to the north as part of the Addingham Project which also involves constructing a replica LMS style station, goods yard and depot on the extra land next to and at the edge of the embankment.