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Skipton station is still part of Network Rail, with platforms 1-4 being used for the very intensive services to Leeds,
Bradford, Morcambe and Carlisle. The line to Colne has also closed, but groups are pressing for its reinstatement. The
former Ilkley (and Grassington) platforms 5 and 6 are still in existence, although no longer in use. A single line heads
through the platforms heading for Swinden on the freight only branch serving the quarry / limeworks.
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Skipton station in 1905 (according to the note on the back of the print), looking down the Aire Valley with platform 2 on
the left and platforms 3 and 4 on the right. The poor quality of the lighter parts of the photo is due to trying to lighten
the very dark shadows to reveal the detail which was hidden at first glance.
(c) David & Charles, YDRMT Collection.
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Also of Skipton Station, and also claiming to have been taken in 1905 is this picture looking back at the station from the
other end. Of particular note are the mobile huts and carriages (providing messing facilities?) in platform 4, suggesting
some major works underway. This may relate to an earlier period during the construction of the Skipton-Ilkley line, or to
other ongoing work at Skipton. The line to the left of the picture would presumably be the turntable road.
(c) YDRMT Collection.
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Platforms 5 and 6 at Skipton originally boasted full-length canopies which provided the roof for the waiting rooms. These
were later removed by the LMS leaving the platforms looking very sparse indeed. Here a Midland Railway (0-4-4T?) waits in
platform 5 in 1905.
(c) David & Charles, YDRMT Collection.
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Skipton MPD in 1946 with 4F 0-6-0 No. 3999, 1F 0-6-0T No. 1751 and 2P 4-4-0 No. 359 stored temporarily out of use in a siding
near the station. No. 1751 probably never worked again as it was withdrawn 7/46.
(c) F.W.Smith.
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Platforms 3, 2 and 1 (l to r) at Skipton on 14th August 1956 with No.45729 'Furious' at the head of the 10:05 Edinburgh-St. Pancras while
a local service sits in platform 1 behind No.40409. Note the schoolboy running down the platform.
(c) YDRMT Collection.
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Presumeably some time in the 1950s, B16 4-6-0 No.61452 enters Skipton station, platform No.5 with an ammonia tank train.
Of note in this picture is the MR bracket signal for the Junction to Colne which was later replaced by two tubular posts. Also
of interest is the milepost lying in the 6-foot and the loose stay wire. Obviously some work is taking place - possibly the
rebuilding of the subway walls which look very new here.
(c) YDRMT Collection.
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Skipton station on the 27th September 1963 with Duchess Class No.46238 'City of Carlisle' running through Platform 5 with a set of carriages
sat in Platform 6. No further details of this working are currently known.
(c) H.C.Casserley, YDRMT Collection.
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Skipton Station with the Ilkley platforms on the right of the picture, devoid of canopies, and with an early DMU waiting in
platform 6, presumably having arrived from Embsay.
(c) YDRMT collection.
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BR 9F 92212 (now preserved) heads through what is now platform 3 at Skipton sometime towards the end of steam on BR. Visible
to the far right of the picture is the starting signal for the line to Ilkley and the large water tower.
(c) David Hey collection.
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Viewed from Carleton New Road (which climbs from the main road to Gargrave and then crosses both road and railway), Skipton
station is seen in the 1960s. The poster in the foreground features the Daleks from Dr. Who.
(c) David Hey.
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A tank of LMS origin departs from Skipton in a northerly direction. Of note are platforms 5 and 6 to the right - still (just)
in use at this time. Platform 5 features a small stone waiting shelter which no longer survives. When built, these platforms
(which served the line to Ilkley) had full length canopies which were removed in LMS times. The platforms still exist to this
day, but are overgrown and support modern lighting for the convenience of the rolling stock inspectors. 13/02/1965.
(c) Geoff Lumb.
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45697 in Skipton's No.4 platform with what appears to be a parcels train. Scanned from a negative, so no information on
this picture but presumably taken around 1965.
(c) Jack Smith.
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No.43039 at Skipton after arrival from Ilkley with the morning freight - 4/06/65.
(c) Jack Smith.
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Viewed from a very similar position and platforms 5 & 6 are still present. Behind them (to the right of the photo) are
the carriage sidings which have since disappeared. Note the stone / concrete hut on platform 5 - this too has gone.
(c) David Hey.
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A tank loco, supporting a number ending in 4028, heads to the north out of Skipton, probably taken shortly after the earlier
photograph, looking the other way from Carleton New Road bridge over the railway. 13/02/1965.
(c) Geoff Lumb.
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A similar view shows an unidentified Class 47 approaching Skipton from the North in the mid 1980s before the track layout and
signalling were rationalised with the onset of electrification. Already the track layout has changed with the closure of Skipton
shed and the line to Colne.
(c) David Hey.
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Viewed from the end of platform 2, looking to the north, the Class 47 enters the station with an engineers train. The signal
pictured (with arms reading in both directions) is now in the ownership of the Railway.
(c) David Hey.
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An unusual loco on the engineers train pictured here coming underneath Carleton new Road bridge is a Peak with a ballast train.
(c) David Hey.
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(c) David Hey collection.
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This photograph of Skipton Station (platforms 5 & 6) shows work underway
to clear the platform of vegetation in preparation for a DMU special that was
run in July 1982 to Embsay from platform 5 (this was before Embsay Junction
was removed). It is also interesting to note the presence of Midland Railway
lamp posts on both platforms - now removed.
(c) Charles Boylan.
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A more recent view of Skipton (prior to electrification) shows the track passing through platform 5 on its way to Swinden
Limeworks (beyond Embsay junction on the old Grassington branch). This shot shows the station before resignalling, and
doesn't show platforms 1 - 3, which had their canopies repaired shortly beforehand.
(c) Robert Milner.
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When electrification and re-signalling took place, the Railway managed to acquire a considerable amount of equipment from
Skipton, including the ex-MR water column, seen here being removed from the Settle end of platform 3. It is now fully
restored and supplies the water at Bolton Abbey.
(c) John Furness.
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During 2003, Class 37s were started to be used on certain passenger workings. Seen here in platform 3 at Skipton the train is
bound for Carlisle. The Embsay platforms were 5 & 6, to the right of the photo, behind the (just visible) retaining wall.
(c) Robert Milner.
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