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The section of line between Stoneacre Loop and Bolton Abbey station is very picturesque. Stoneacre sits at the bottom of an
empty valley, which as the line nears Bolton Abbey parallels the road, affording motorists a good view. Passengers needn't
worry as the other side of the line sees the hillside rising gently above the line.
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The trackbed from Stoneacre loop curves away towards Bolton Abbey, with the village of Draughton just out of sight to the right
of the picture on the top of the hill.
(c) Stephen Walker.
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A similar view in 2001, in appalling weather, shows the track laid at the same location with Cranford on
a goods train during the Harvest of Steam.
(c) Tim Warner.
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This photo, showing the same section as the previous two photos, was taken from the top of Stoneacre's bracket signal.
(c) Tim Warner.
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The visiting LMS 4F, 4422, from the Churnet Valley Railway, was the first steam engine onto the extension this far East. Posed
here with the P-Way team and crew, just on the Stoneacre side of Priors' Lane bridge.
(c) Stephen Walker.
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Viewed from the hillside, Cranford approaches Stoneacre Loop (the bracket signal and starter for which
are just visible at the left of the picture).
(c) Tim Warner.
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Slightly closer to Bolton Abbey and D.2203 heads for Stoneacre with the Stately Trains 6-wheelers. Here
a hedge is in the process of being laid and maintained, which adds something extra to the line and the views from it.
(c) Tim Warner.
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Taken from the top of the hill, 68005 heads for Stoneacre with a service train. From up on the hill
you get an almost bird's eye view!
(c) William Lister.
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A little further on and the Loop is just visible ahead of 68005.
(c) William Lister.
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68005 heads the first goods train under Priors' Lane bridge and past the cottages towards Stoneacre
during the 2004 Harvest of Steam.
(c) Tim Warner.
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Later on, Cranford heads for Stoneacre with the goods, viewed yet again, from the hillside. The footpath
provides an excellent location for photography, or simply to sit and watch the trains go by.
(c) Tim Warner.
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Monckton is just visible pounding up the bank under Priors' Lane bridge with a Summer passenger train.
(c) Tim Warner.
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Class 24 D.5054, visiting from the East Lancashire Railway, heads towards Stoneacre from
Bolton Abbey with a passenger train having passed Priors' Lane and the cottages.
(c) Tim Warner.
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During the Easter 2004 Day out with Thomas, 140, still in blue, heads
a train past the cottages at Priors' Lane with Stoneacre's distant signal (on the black and white striped post) to the rear
of the train.
(c) Tim Warner.
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Thomas (formerly 'Dorothy') hauls his/her/its first service train, passing the cottages and 'whistle'
board for Priors' Lane bridge making good progress. As the loco spends much of its time away from the line, hauling a train
between Embsay and Bolton Abbey is a rare occurance!
(c) William Lister.
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Viewed from the hill once more, Cranford descends towards Bolton Abbey with a breakdown train during
the Harvest of Steam in 2003.
(c) Tim Warner.
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One year on and Cranford heads up the hill during the 2004 Harvest of Steam,
this time with box vans in tow.
(c) Tim Warner.
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Viewed from Priors' Lane bridge is the tamper, making sure the track is in perfect condition prior to the line opening to the
public.
(c) William Lister.
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The same location gives a completely different view as flooding takes its hold of the line at the point where a siphon passes
under the line. This is very susceptible to being blocked with debris carried down from the village and across the road, but
this amount of water was exceptional!
(c) William Lister.
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A DMU runs between Ilkley and Skipton along our line, presumably with a diverted service as this is in THE WEEK AFTER CLOSURE! The
location still sees trains today - this view is looking back towards Embsay from Priors' Lane bridge. 26/03/1965.
(c) G.Lumb.
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The extent of the damage caused by the flood water can be seen in this photo taken from the lineside revealing the lack of
ballast at this location.
(c) Mike Mason.
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On the other side of the bridge, the water made a bid for freedom, running over the line (washing away more ballast) and
flooding Priors' Lane depot.
(c) William Lister.
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The view towards Bolton Abbey from Priors' Lane bridge, probably taken during the early 1960s, prior to the closure and
demolition of the line. This was originally intended to be the site for a station to serve Draughton, according to plans by
the Midland Railway, and some landscaping was carried out, particularly to the right of the line.
(c) David Hey.
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The same location seen during demolition in 1966, this time taken leaning over the bridge parapet.
(c) David Cash.
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En route to Bolton Abbey - Monckton No.1 propels Wheldale ready to be put on
display in Duke's Siding following a repaint whilst awaiting an overhaul. This is a very similar viewpoint to the previous
couple of photos and illustrates how much the lineside vegetation has grown over the years.
(c) Tom Ireland.
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Priors' Lane bridge is approached from the Embsay side on an 8F during track lifting.
(c) David Cash.
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Looking back towards Embsay after the loco has passed underneath, the mound to te right would have been intended to be the
fill for a platform had the Midland Railway had their way.
(c) David Cash.
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Lambton Tank No.29 visited the line several times from the North Yorkshire Moors. Here it is
seen climbing the bank, viewed from Priors' Lane, with a tamper from GrantRail in the depot in the foreground.
(c) Simon Gott.
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Monckton lifts a passenger train effortlessly out of Bolton Abbey and up the bank approaching Priors' Lane.
(c) Tim Warner.
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The main A59 can be seen to the left of the train in this shot, but its presence doesn't spoil the line or the views
available from the footpaths along the line.
(c) Tim Warner.
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Heading further round towards Stoneacre, Monckton keeps on up the hill. From this location you can see
the line from Hambleton Cutting all the way to the A59 roadbridge by Holywell Halt - over 2 miles!
(c) Tim Warner.
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Seen a few moments later as Cranford heads towards Priors' Lane.
(c) Tim Warner.
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On the other side of the line around this point there had been trouble with erosion of the embankment, seen here shortly
after it happened. This required quite a bit of attention and rebuilding, but with work done in the stream below it should
not be a problem again.
(c) Mike Mason.
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Cranford makes light work of the breakdown train during the 2003 Harvest of Steam. (The steam
crane is not the lightest of items to haul...)
(c) Tim Warner.
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Although not the usual engine to haul the 6-wheelers, 68005 doesn't look too out of place with them
on the Strawberry Special as she heads for Embsay from Bolton Abbey, seen from the layby on the A59.
(c) Tim Warner.
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Another unusual choice of motive power was the BR 04 D.2203. The train is seen here heading towards
Bolton Abbey, shortly before entering Hambleton Cutting.
(c) Tim Warner.
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Climbing out of the cutting, and D.2203 heads back towards Stoneacre.
(c) Tim Warner.
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Normal service trains range from 3 to 5 coaches, but on occasion the Railway has operated longer trains for special events,
like this which saw Monckton hauling an 8-coach special during the 2004 Harvest
of Steam. Although the light was fading, those who witnessed the event were impressed. With power to spare, Monckton
heads up out of Hambleton cutting and on towards Stoneacre.
(c) Tim Warner.
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Seen right back from above Priors' Lane, Monckton climbs out of Hambleton Cutting which is visible just to te rear of the
train. The long straight is visible in the forground.
(c) Tim Warner.
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Cranford heads a Santa Special out of Hambleton Cutting under very heavy skies. Needless to say the
weather started to deteriorate after this!
(c) Tim Warner.
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Cranford and Monckton double-head a passenger train out of Hambleton Cutting.
(c) William Lister.
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140, still in Thomas blue, heads out of Hambleton cutting with a passenger service during one of the
Days out with Thomas.
(c) Tim Warner.
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Earlier in the day, 140 climbs through Hambleton Cutting with steam to spare carrying another full
train of excited children.
(c) Tim Warner.
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Cranford heads through Hambleton Cutting with a passenger train. The absence of the Down line is very
noticeable here.
(c) William Lister.
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Lambton Tank No.29 heads through Hambleton Cutting with a 7 coach special.
(c) William Lister.
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Cranford heads across the bridge and into Hambleton Cutting, viewed from the top of the old quarry which
once had its own internal railway system.
(c) Tim Warner.
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Viewed from the old pig pen, 68005 departs from Bolton Abbey with a passenger train for Embsay. The
bridge in the foreground is the same on visible in the previous picture.
(c) William Lister.
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