Home - Current Issue - Back Issues - Contact the Editor Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway homepage Back Issue Bolton Abbey - it's ours! The smart wooden station buildings which once greeted the gentry visiting the Duke of Devonshire's Yorkshire estate for shooting parties are now derelict after 30 years of neglect. But their recent purchase by the Yorkshire Cales Railway Museum Trust, along with the station goods yard and the remaining mile of trackbed from Draughton, was a very important development for the railway. The Trust's Business & Marketing Manager, Stephen Walker, said: "Bolton Abbey will be the jewel in the Embsay Steam Railway's crown and the railway intends to recreate the glory of the station's past." New station buildings at Bolton Abbey will be built to Midland Railway's country station design, and will provide all the facilities required for a 21st century steam railway. It is hoped that the ex-Midland Railway signalbox at Guiseley station could be moved to the site and an authentic foot bridge is being sought. The construction of a new Engine Shed and Museum building continues at Embsay. The completion of both the Engine Shed and the Bolton Abbey Extension will cost over £1m. From the Chairman: Bolton Abbey - it's ours! It is with great pleasure that I am able to announce the success of our efforts to purchase Bolton Abbey station site and the trackbed from Prior's Lane including the area known as Prior's Lane depot. The scheme to purchase was originally started just after the Feasibility Study when Ogdens Properties Ltd. were once again approached with the proposal that we buy the land from them. Despite the many previous refusals, including one during the feasibility study, they showed some interest thereby starting a lengthy procedure that has been nail-biting for those closely involved. Obviously, due to the sensitive nature of the negotiations, it has been necessary to keep the news of our endeavours quiet as we did not wish to jeapodise the purchase plans. This has all changed now and we have every intention of publicising the purchase and keeping you fully informed about, and invite you to become even more involved with the YDRMT's two-pronged development project - the Workshop / Museum building and the Bolton Abbey extension. We are embarking on what will be the most challenging period in the history of the YDRMT and one that could bring the greatest rewards to Embsay - both financially and in terms of "railway quality". I urge all members to work together to help lift our railway into the higher divisions of "proper" railways. David Barlow Chairman History: Timeline The Railway's Chronology 1883 The Midland Railway (Additional Powers) Bill included 11 miles, 6 furlongs, 50 links of railway between Skipton and Ilkley. 1885 Contractors Mousley & Co. of Bristol undertook to complete the railway in 21/2 years. 1888 Ilkley to Bolton Abbey section opened for passenger traffic in May. Goods traffic began in August. Bolton Abbey to Skipton opened in October. Sunday trains attracted pedlars and other undesirables who lined the road between the station and Bolton Abbey. Complaints to the Duke of Devonshire lead to the suspension of Sunday services. 1902 The Yorkshire Dales Railway opened between Embsay Junction and Grassington, operated by the Midland Railway. 1916 Embsay to Addingham singled with passing loop at Bolton Abbey, other lines lifted for wartime economy. 1921 Double-line working restored. 1923 New signalbox opened at Embsay. 1930s First camping coach sited at Bolton Abbey. 1940 Bolton Abbey station closed from June 1940 until March 1941. Became an Army ammunition dump, complete with nissen huts, barbed wire and a checkpoint at the entrance. 1957 Diesel multiple units (DMUs) began operating to Bolton Abbey on Sundays. 1959 DMUs took over all local steam services. 1964 Goods depots closed in April. Public inquiry in May on the future of the Skipton-Ilkley line. Decision taken in September to close the railway. 1965 Stopping passenger trains withdrawn. Last passenger train ran through Wharfedale in June. Remaining wagons collected in July. 1966 Buffer stops errected at Ilkley station in January leaving one line clear for the demolition trains, and sleepers placed across both main lines at Embsay station. A new railway begins 1968 Embsay & Grassington Railway Preservation Society formed (later the Yorkshire Dales Railway Society) hoping to take over the threatened Embsay Junction to Grassington line. 1971 Occasional "steam ups" operated for members at Embsay until 1974. Redevelopment of Swindon Quarry by Tilcon forced the Yorkshire Dale Railway to turn its attention towards Bolton Abbey. 1979 Yorkshire Dales Railway granted Light Railway Order to operate passenger trains between Embsay and Bow Bridge. 1983 Extension to Skibeden opened. British Rail applied for planning permission to infil Holywell Bridge, between Skibeden and Bolton Abbey. 1984 British Rail and Craven District Council agreed to contribute to Holywell Bridge's repair, work starting in 1985 and costing over £30,000. 1987 Extension to Holywell Halt opened. 1988 Centenary of Skipton-Ilkley line's opening celebrated at Embsay with loan of steam locos Bellerophon and Joem. 1991 Extension to Stoneacre Loop opened. £350,000 appeal launched for a new Engine Shed and Museum building. Feasibility Study commissioned on future operations to Bolton Abbey and Skipton. 1992  YDRMT awarded full museum registration by the Museum & Galleries Commission; only 60th award in the country. 1993 LMS main-line steam power returns to Embsay as 4F No. 4422 is hired from the North Staffs. Railway for 5 months. YDRMT purchases trackbed to Bolton Abbey and the station site. But when will the first train arrive at the new Bolton Abbey station? And when will the new Engine Shed and Museum building open its doors to provide improved maintenance facilities and public display areas? The answers to these questions will only be known when we have rasied the necessary funds. TOP