Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway

Bolton Abbey Station

This page contains photographs from the area around Bolton Abbey Station. Where possible, the photographs are displayed in chronological order, earliest first, but sometimes views have been put in out of order to assist in making comparisons. To view the photographs in full size, click on the required photo.

Because there are so many photos, this page has been split into two. A link to the other page can be found below and at the bottom of the page.

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(C) YDRMT This is a staff photograph taken on platform 2 at Bolton Abbey Station not long after the line was opened. Note the wooden platforms and the substantial wooden buildings on platform 2.
(c) YDRMT.
(C) Charles Boylan Bolton Abbey Station is seen here in March 1976 before the railway acquired the site and rebuilt it. From this view it looks remarkably intact, but it did not stay this way, hence the brand new building which we can see today.
(c) Charles Boylan.

A selection of photos taken prior to the station being acquired by the Railway.
(C) YDRMT (C) YDRMT (C) YDRMT (C) YDRMT (C) YDRMT

(C) Dave Barlow 1992 sees the station at Bolton Abbey looking very overgrown as this photo looks along the platform towards Ilkley. Standing there today, the change is almost unbelieveable!
(c) Dave Barlow.
(C) Dave Barlow Another photograph taken on the same day shows the true condition of the, station as it looks slightly more square on to the platform
(c) Dave Barlow.
(C) Dave Barlow The whole station site is pictured from a little further back in this photo, also taken in 1992. The perilous condition of the buildings is once again very apparant.
(c) Dave Barlow.
(c) M.G.Riley Following the demolition of the (very rotten) remains of the old station, the site was cleared, a concrete foundation cast, and the blockwork for the station building started. Here it begins to take shape in 1994.
(c) M. G. Riley.
(c) M.G.Riley The setting of the station is very clear from this photo which shows the first length of track laid in the station. Connection to the rest of the running line would take another 3 years, but it was a start.
(c) M. G. Riley.
(C) Stephen Walker The station rises from the ashes. This is the view that would have confronted you on the 24th October 1994, as the new station takes shape. The concrete block construction is apparant here.
(c) Stephen Walker.
(c) M.G.Riley Another photo from a very similar time, once more showing further work taking place to complete the station. The roofing is beginning to go on, and preparations are in hand for the cladding.
(c) M. G. Riley.
(c) M.G.Riley The building is now externally complete, and is seen in its white primer on a rather damp day, possibly 1995.
(c) M. G. Riley.
(c) Stephen Walker The building now looks the part painted in the Midland Railway colours.
(c) Stephen Walker.
(c) M.G.Riley The station is seen shortly before opening in 1997, with both tracks laid and ballasted, but not yet tamped and regulated. The platform has been raised to the correct height, and still awaits the edging stones, but it very much resembles a station once more.
(c) M. G. Riley.
(C) Tim Warner The completed station as viewed from a similar location to the previous photographs, seen in September 2000. Annie and the vintage train are seen in the station which still awaits the construction of platform two and a footbridge.
(c) Tim Warner.
(C) Robert Milner By 1993 the station had been acquired by the Yorkshire Dales Railway Museum Trust, and as can be seen from this photograph, there was even less of it still standing. A little while later the rest of the station was demolished and burned, as there was nothing that could be salvaged.
(c) Robert Milner.
(C) Stephen Walker This photo is from a similar viewpoint to the last and shows the rapid progress with the construction of the new station.
(c) Stephen Walker.
(C) Stephen Walker This photo shows the first steam engine at the station, for part of the filming of Yorkshire Television's 'Action Time' who ran the appeal for the reconstruction. Annie is seen at the Ilkley end of the station which has been cladded since the previous photo. Unfortunately the cladding needed replacing in 2001 / 2 as it had rotten. This now completed, the station once more looks pristine.
(c) Stephen Walker.
(C) Robert Milner Another view of part of the station. This is the entrance to the Booking Hall from the car park side of the station, as it stood before the rebuild. A comparative shot will be included here shortly. The building that was to the left of this was the Booking Office, which has been restored as the ticket office, and is used whenever we are running.
(c) Robert Milner.
(C) Stephen Walker (C) Stephen Walker (C) Pete Walker Looking inside the station in 1993 before its demolition was a perilous activity as can be judged from thess views in what is now the booking hall. It is worth comparing the first view with one of the interior shots from a year or so later, as shown right. (c) Pete Walker There are some alterations in design which are apparant here (the windows), but on the whole the station is a very good match for the original in style.
(c) Stephen Walker.
(C) Stephen Walker Although not from the same angle, this picture gives a very good impression of the station's interior since completion. It shows the ticket hatches between the booking hall and the office.
(c) Stephen Walker.
(C) Stephen Walker The Booking Hall is well and truly complete with long benches (genuine Midland Railway) and more things on the walls.
(c) Stephen Walker.
(C) Stephen Walker On the other side of the wall in the last picture stands the Ticket Office, fitted out with typewriters and other fittings appropriate to the period. The ticket rack is somewhat large for the range of tickets we offer though!
(c) Stephen Walker.
(C) Stephen Walker The rear of the old station is seen here shortly before demolition, the view being towards Embsay.
(c) Stephen Walker.
(C) Dave Barlow The rear of the old station is seen here again, from a slightly different angle, shortly before demolition. It is apparant from the following photos how the new station differs from the original.
(c) Dave Barlow.
(C) Robert Milner Despite its appearance, the new station is not built from wood, but is a wood-clad concrete block construction. This has the added advantage of not rotting away like the previous one! Here the station is seen under construction, viewed from the car park looking towards Embsay (same as above and below), at what will be a paved forecourt at some stage in the future.
(c) Robert Milner.
(C) Dave Barlow This view is for comparison - how much things have changed! This shows how closely the new building matches the original (apart from the extension for the refreshment rooms, that is!) A view of the completed station will be included when a suitable photograph becomes available. Currently a roundabout / flowerbed feature is being created to separate the courtyard area from the rest of the carpark. Photos of this will also be included later.
(c) Dave Barlow.
(C) YDRMT collection Bolton Abbey station in its heyday, still with its wooden platforms and neat appearance. This is taken from the footbridge, but almost matches up with the following selection of pictures.
(c) YDRMT collection.
(C) Stephen Walker This is the first photo of a series showing the process of the rebuild from its derelict state, as pictured here. The trackbed leads off towards Embsay slightly to the left. This picture could well be from the mid-70s.
(c) Stephen Walker.
(C) Robert Milner Another view a while later showing the first stages of demolition of the rotting remains.
(c) Robert Milner.
(C) Dave Barlow The first stage of the construction has almost been completed here, as the stonework of the station has taken shape.
(c) Dave Barlow.
(C) Dave Barlow The third gable of the station (the extra bit included in the new station) is clearly seen in this view which shows the station clad in wood, but currently only in the white undercoat. The signalbox in the background is the 'box from Guiseley, which will be equipped in the future as a power box - the only one in preservation!
(c) Dave Barlow.
(C) Pete Walker Although included again slightly later, this view is included here to show the finished station from the same sort of viewpoint. A great effort was made to light the station with parrafin, and this has been achieved with the construction of lamp brackets and lamp cases.
(c) Pete Walker.
(C) Pete Walker Stalwart volunteer at Bolton Abbey, Andy Lister, is seen here in the Booking Hall, working hard at fitting the skirting board around the room. The fireplaces in the station are very welcome in winter as real fires are lit. To the right of the fireplace is the disabled toilet, with the way in on the edge of the picture to the right, and the way out onto the platform on the left. The ticket hatches are behind the photographer.
(c) Pete Walker.
(C) Wendy Anderson As the original signalbox from Bolton Abbey had long since been destroyed, a new one was required to complete the station, and this came from Guiseley. It is seen here in the process of being removed, with the aid of a large crane.
The YDR News section of the website contains a photogallery of the Bolton Abbey Signalbox Project.
(c) Wendy Anderson.
(C) John Furness Another photo of the removal of Guiseley signalbox, showing also the new electrification masts alongside.
(c) John Furness.
(C) John Furness The box was loaded and transported in two pieces, casuing quite a stir on the roads. Here it is pictured arriving at its new location - Bolton Abbey station, with a couple (at least) of cars behind it!
(c) John Furness.
(c) M.G.Riley The 'box arrived back at Bolton Abbey in its two separate parts. Once the new concrete foundations were dug and cast, the box was lifted onto them using a crane, and then re-united with its upper section.
(c) M. G. Riley.
(c) M.G.Riley When the 'box was put back together, the necessary repairs could be undertaken, such as putting the slates back on the roof. This was the sight from the location of platform 2, looking towards Embsay.
(c) M. G. Riley.
(c) M.G.Riley The reassembled signalbox is seen again, with work going on to lay the cable runs alongside. The box itself still requires steps, and replanking.
(c) M. G. Riley.
(C) Wendy Anderson The setting of the box at Bolton Abbey is seen here. The original signalbox was situated at the Ilkley end of the platforms, but for operational purposes the new box was placed at the Skipton end, and the colours it carries are genuine Midland Railway colours! The site is still undergoing a lot of construction work in this photograph, and looks much tidier now.
(c) Wendy Anderson.
(C) Stephen Walker The bare plastered walls in Stephen's office show the first steps towards creating an office in keeping with the building.
(c) Stephen Walker.
(C) Stephen Walker Taken from the same sort of place showing the detail of the fireplace which is now completed. The room is beginning to come to life.
(c) Stephen Walker.
(C) Stephen Walker The final two shots inside the office show how it has partly captured another era. This is taken to the right of the previous photo, showing what can be achieved.
(c) Stephen Walker.
(C) Stephen Walker Looking from the door, showing the overall view of the office, complete with old photographs on the wall, as well as a portrait of Queen Victoria!
(c) Stephen Walker.
(C) Pete Walker The first bridge out of Bolton Abbey (heading towards Embsay) had been replaced when the line closed and was deemed unsuitable to carry trains. Here the girders are being removed prior to a new concrete deck being added. In the background the new station buildings and the signalbox from Guiseley can be seen.
(c) Pete Walker.
(C) Pete Walker Looking the other way from the bridge, the trackbed is seen undergoing preparation for track laying. The drainage system is being installed here - a very important part of the railway, as otherwise the cutting would be rather wet!
(c) Pete Walker.
(C) Pete Walker Looking in the same direction, but from a little further on, the new components being used for the track are visible, as is the change-over from wooden to concrete sleepers. The ballast is laid out and levelled, requiring only the track to be laid towards Stoneacre.
(c) Pete Walker.
(C) Simon Gott This is included as a comparative view of Hambleton Cutting, taken from the front of the DMU, but in a very similar location. Here the track has been completed, and the ballast has lost its 'new' look.
(c) Simon Gott.
(C) YDRMT The replacement bridge (for the one being dug out, shown earlier) is seen here, viewed from the quarry, looking towards the A59. Embsay is the the left, with Bolton Abbey Station to the right. Despite the construction being quite different (concrete deck), the bridge still retians the character of the original bridges along the line.
(c) YDRMT.
(c) M.G.Riley The first goods train through to Bolton Abbey for 30 years (or there abouts) was hauled by 22 with the aim of completing the last three lengths at Bolton Abbey to connect it all up. The p-way team are preparing to lay the last lengths, visible in the background.
(c) M. G. Riley.
(c) M.G.Riley The final keys are put into place, and fishplates tightened as the moment of entering Bolton Abbey with a train approaches.
(c) M. G. Riley.
(c) M.G.Riley We're there! The train enters platform 1 at Bolton Abbey, the shark brakevan packed with p-way volunteers (and their families). The extension to the height of the platform is apparent here.
(c) M. G. Riley.
(c) M.G.Riley 22 sits in the platform with the first train back to Bolton Abbey, which also became the first departure!
(c) M. G. Riley.
(C) YDRMT collection One of the first trains along the extension is pictured here, comprising of the steam crane hauled by 22. It has been propelled from Embsay, and was used to move containers around the site. Note the incomplete state of the platform.
(c) YDRMT collection.
(C) YDRMT collection The steam crane is seen at work shifting a container from the carpark to the other side of the line. These containers are due to move from Bolton Abbey shortly (2001). In the foreground, the P-Way team are assembling a length of track ready to be craned into position, while a steam roller prepares the carpark surface.
(c) YDRMT collection.
(C) YDRMT collection Another picture of the busy scene at Bolton Abbey station, showing No. 22, the steam crane and TWO steam rollers! Steam power doing everything - quite an achievement, and quite a contrast to the ballast regulator in the background!
(c) YDRMT collection.
(C) John Furness The water column which now serves locos at Bolton Abbey came from Skipton station, located at the west end of platform 3. Here it is pictured being removed with a good crowd of onlookers. Platforms 5 and 6 which formerly served trains to Embsay are located to the right, off the picture, accessed by the subway.
(c) John Furness.
(C) Marjorie Warner The water column which is used at Bolton Abbey came from Skipton Station, and was restored at Embsay to working order. Not long before the opening, Primrose is seen with the watercolumn on a lowmac, having arrived at Bolton Abbey. A crane was then used to lift the watercolumn into place, and it was then plummed in, ready for the first services.
(c) Marjorie Warner.
(c) M.G.Riley Almost ready to receive its first passenger trains - track and watering facilities are in place, with final preparation work continuing around the station itself.
(c) M. G. Riley.
(c) M.G.Riley Looking towards the throat of the station (towards Embsay) from platform 1 gives a very good idea of the quality of the work that has been carried out, as well as the enormity of the task undertaken!
(c) M. G. Riley.
(c) M.G.Riley An interesting view of the station and setting, taken from the trackbed (with full permission and co-operation, so don't try this yourself). The view today would not be the same - the ballast doesn't look that new any more!
(c) M. G. Riley.
(c) M.G.Riley Another 'first', this time the first passenger stock into Bolton Abbey in preservation, as Mog (68005) stands with owner / driver / loco dept. manager Charles Adams following the successful gauging run with 5 Mk. I's.
(c) M. G. Riley.
(C) Robert Milner The first sevice train back to Bolton Abbey was run in 1997, and was hauled by the same locos which hauled the first train back in 1979. 22 and Primrose are seen here having just arrived in the station, watched by a crowd of onlookers from the carpark.
(c) Robert Milner.
(C) Robert Milner Primrose is seen leaving Bolton Abbey in style (with 22 helping), as they form the first departure from Bolton Abbey for over 30 years. It was truely a great moment for the railway - the next will be either the completion of the shed, or the arrival at Skipton.
(c) Robert Milner.

More photographs of Bolton Abbey station and the surrounding area can be found on the other page.

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Yorkshire Dales Railway Museum Trust (Holdings) Limited
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Bolton Abbey Station, Bolton Abbey, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 6AF
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