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LNER K4 'The Great Marquess' is seen here at Embsay Junction in 1963 with 'The
Dalesman Railtour', just before progressing up the Grassington Branch (left).
The site of Bow Bridge Loop is just behind the signal visible above the signalbox
in the photograph.
(c) Gavin W. Morrison (YDRMT collection)
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Slough Estates No. 5 is seen here in 1975 with a train
composed of Altrincham Electric coaches approaching Embsay from Bow Bridge. At
this time there was no Bow Bridge Loop, and the track was still doubled up to
the junction. At the rear of the train is loco S100, which is now based on a
different railway. This locomotive was identical to our own
140.
(c) Charles Boylan.
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Two locomotives that are no longer based at Embsay - Fred (Avonside, now in Belgium) and Chemicals (Barclay, now ???) - head
for Bow Bridge from Embsay with one of the Altrincham Electric coaches.
(c) YDRMT collection.
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York No. 1 seen in a very similar location to the above
photo, propelling the NER Director's Saloon (hence the green flag) back
towards Embsay. The lifting of the second line is apparant here - it was used
to extend the running line towards Skibeden Loop. The telegraph post in the
background (left) marks the Grassington branch.
(c) Jim Winkley.
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This photograph from 1975 shows Joem's attempted steaming, between Embsay and
Bow Bridge Loop. It is taken from the main road through Embsay, and clearly
shows the large embankment upon which the railway is laid at this point. The
locomotive at the rear is probably Primrose
directly after arrival on the railway, and is approximately where Bow Bridge
Loop is situated.
(c) Charles Boylan.
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York No. 1 is seen here very close to Bow Bridge Loop,
under a test having been vacuum fitted for hauling passenger trains.
(c) Charles Boylan.
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Slough Estates No. 5 is seen here in the snow with a train
comprising of a Southern BY, a Kings Cross suburban and an NER Director's
Saloon, not long after the opening of the line in 1979.
(c) Andy Lister.
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A train has just arrived at Bow Bridge Loop in 1981 comprising of two Gresley
coaches and a Southern BY. Visible in the background is the Grassington Branch,
the remains of which are still used by EWS freight trains to Swinden Quarry.
Also visible in the photo is the ground signal which is used to indicate the
setting of the point when running round the train.
(c) Charles Boylan.
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The east (Embsay) end of Bow Bridge Loop is controlled by a groundframe, and
Slough is seen very close to its location.
The date of the photograph is 1981, and worthy of note are the Gresley coaches
which make up the train in the background.
(c) Charles Boylan.
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This and the next four photographs illustrate a very interesting working which
took place in 1982. This picture shows the railway's P-Way team at work (with
the War Department brake van) at Embsay Junction, which is just along from
Bow Bridge Loop. They were ensuring the track was ready for...
(c) Charles Boylan.
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...a special DMU working from Skipton which travelled over the junction...
(c) Charles Boylan.
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...onto the Railway's track...
(c) Charles Boylan.
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...through Bow Bridge on its way from Embsay with the special.
(c) Charles Boylan.
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The special, pictured here returning to BR metals, was a one off passenger
working, and was not to be repeated as the junction was removed by BR as the
railway could not afford (and didn't think it was viable at the time) to keep
it in. However, at some stage in the future it will have to be reinstated to
allow trains to run to Skipton once again.
(c) Charles Boylan.
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This picture is included in the Bow Bridge Loop section as it is very close to
the loop, although it is on the (now Railtrack owned) branch. This is the new
bypass bridge (shown here in August 1982 after a washout) over the railway.
The original formation was double track from here down into Skipton.
(c) Charles Boylan.
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Wheldale is seen here having just arrived from Embsay
with a train of four BR Mk. 1 coaches. At this time, Wheldale was painted in a
plain maroon livery.
(c) Charles Boylan.
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Carrying the same plain livery, Wheldale is running
round its train at Bow Bridge, pictured here in the headshunt. The headboard
reads "The Teardrop Express", as Wheldale was in need of some new tubes at the
time, and this was a way of attracting attention, as it was in very good
condition otherwise.
(c) Charles Boylan.
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Visiting well tank locomotive Bellerophon is seen here crossing Bridge 21 as
it returns to Embsay Station in July 1988. This bridge is currently undergoing
repair as it requires new woodwork. Bellerophon had come to celebrate the
railway's 100th anniversary of its opening.
(c) Charles Boylan.
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Bellerophon is again seen here, this time running around its train in the loop.
Also visible in the background is Embsay Crag (the bump on the skyline!), and
the village itself.
(c) Charles Boylan.
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Primrose stands in Bow Bridge Loop with a train of Mk.Is during a Kiddies Day - the Railway's early
version of a Thomas event. In a minute the loco will run round, ready to head back to Embsay and beyond.
(c) Stephen Walker.
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With the sun dropping in the sky with snow on the ground No. 9,
Annie pulls into Bow Bridge Loop with a passenger train.
This photograph was taken with full co-operation of the train crew, as are the
next three.
(c) YDRMT.
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The loco has come off the train and is now seen as
near to the site of Embsay Junction as is possible, in the
headshunt. This picture could have been taken when the loco
was in industrial service, as there is little by which to
date it.
(c) YDRMT.
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In this similarly timeless shot, Annie runs back
past the photographer in order to run round the train...
(c) YDRMT.
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...and moves back along the loop road towards the
ground frame which controls the points allowing the
completion of the manouvre.
(c) YDRMT.
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Bridge 21 (the second bridge from Embsay Station towards Bow Bridge
Loop) is a bridge over the stream, constructed as a skew bridge with wooden
decking on metal girders which lie under where the rails are. However, the
decking was found to be very rotten indeed, and these photos show the decking
being removed. The first step was to remove the track, and this was achieved
with a road-rail vehicle, loaned by GrantRail. Here it is seen posing, along
with Mike Mason and Dave Barlow (the Chairman).
(c) YDRMT.
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This photograph looks back towards Embsay Station, and the rails have
been removed by the road-rail vehicle. The decking where the second track lay
has been cleared off inpreparation for the timber removal, and the rotten
nature of the timbers can be seen. The rail wheels can be clearly identified
on the road-railer, and the usefulness of these vehicles is apparant.
(c) YDRMT.
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Scaffolding was errected underneath the bridge, and a decking was
incorporated upon which the team could stand to remove the bridge decking.
Here some timbers are being prepared to be lifted clear by the railway's
diesel rail crane (as opposed to the steam crane) which was being used for
the day.
(c) William Lister.
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Looking towards Bow Bridge Loop the girders are apparant in this view
of the bridge without its decking. The railway is still awaiting an
asssessment of the girders to see what needs to be done, and also looking into
the different options for the bridge. Please see the Latest News page
for the current status.
(c) William Lister.
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New girders were puchased for Bridge 21 and delivered to the Railway. At the same time, there was a rethink as to how the
work would be carried out, with the result being that DRAB construction took the job on. The plan was to replace girders 1,
2, & 3 with new ones, insert a new girder in the centre of the formation, refurbish 1, 2 & 3 and use these to replace
6, 5 & 4 respectively. The bridge will then be re-decked, and still be able to take double track should the need arise.
(c) Tim Warner.
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The old beams 1, 2 and 3 were craned out, allowing the new ones to be inserted, as can be seen here. The brickwork at the end
of the beams still requires replacing in this picture, and the following one, owing to the difference between the new and old
beams.
(c) Tim Warner.
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Seen side-on, the new beams are undergoing painting in situ, prior to tie bars being fitted and handrails. The remaining old
beams (4, 5 & 6) will be exchanged at a later date once 1, 2 & 3 are refurbished in house.
(c) Tim Warner.
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The beams are seen in their final locations, painted and with the ties also fitted. This is looking towards Embsay station as
the timber for the decking is installed.
(c) Tim Warner.
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Looking the other way...
(c) Tim Warner.
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Timber beginning to be laid for the new bridge decking whilst someone positions one of the original handrail supports in
position prior to its attachment and painting.
(c) Tim Warner.
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The line lies slumbering, waiting for the return of trains as the bridge nears completion. The first event held that made
intensive use of the Bow Bridge section was the Harvest of Steam which saw the Sentinel, Ann hauling
its first ever passenger trains. Photos.
(c) Tim Warner.
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Yorkshire Dales Railway Museum Trust
Registered Charity No. 517804 - Registered Museum No. 60 Bolton Abbey Station, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 6AF General Enquiries: 01756 710614 - Talking Timetables & Fax: 01756 795189 enquiries@embsayboltonabbeyrailway.org.uk webmaster@embsayboltonabbeyrailway.org.uk |
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