Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway

Embsay Station

This page contains photographs from the area around Embsay Station. Where possible, the photographs are displayed in chronological order, earliest first. To view the photographs in full size, click on the required photo. Embsay station also houses the railway's Bookshop which is a 'must' for the avid browser.

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) Stephen Walker The Cabman's Shelter (formerly at Ilkley Station) was used from a very early stage as the ticket office as well as general office, as can be seen here. However, with the purchase of the former Barmouth ticket office, the Cabman's Shelter has been completely restored and is used as a waiting room.
(c) Stephen Walker.
(C) Stephen Walker The opportunity arose to purchase the former Barmouth Station ticket office, which arrived at Embsay shortly afterwards. Since then it has been rebuilt by Anton Clarke, pictured here before starting the task. When it was completed, it allowed the Cabman's Shelter to be restored, and it is now in use as the Waiting Room.
(c) Stephen Walker.
(C) Robert Milner Primrose in platform 2 at Embsay during an Enthusiast's Day. Primrose must be just about ex-works, as the Southern Railway brakevan behind has yet to be repainted, which would put the date around 1991.
(c) Robert Milner.
(C) Stephen Walker Another visiting loco on the railway, this time an ex-LMS 4F, seen from the footbridge in platform 2 with the Gresley Restaurant Car. Whilst the loco was on the railway, it hauled 12 coaches from Embsay to Stoneacre, a record on the line (all the coaches we had that were seviceable!). Another feat was that of Primrose who hauled it all the way back!
(c) Stephen Walker.
(C) Dave Outibridge Fowler H.W. Robinson is seen in Embsay with a selection of restored wagons - probably during the course of a shunting move (they can go on for HOURS!!).
(c) Dave Outibridge.
(C) Stephen Walker Embsay station looking smart, and showing the recently installed ticket office (to the rear) that was pictured earlier on this page.
(c) Stephen Walker.
(C) Wendy Anderson Embsay Signalbox is seen here before the rebuild was commenced (see next few photos), and although it doesn't look too bad here, as it was stripped down, more and more of th estructure was found to be rotten. The rebuild also reinstated the small windows in the bottom half, as well as allowing the walkway to be used.
(c) Wendy Anderson.
(C) Pete Walker This photograph shows the Class 107 DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit) at Embsay Station, about to depart to Bolton Abbey. This DMU operates on a number of days through the year (see Current Timetable), and is popular for the views it affords to the passengers.
(c) Pete Walker.
(C) Pete Walker Barclay No. 22 is seen in Platform 2 at Embsay with one of Stephen Middleton's superbly restored GER saloons. This coach is one of several which makes up the Stately Trains fleet of carriages. The picture was taken on 'Enthusiasts Day', and also visible in the picture is Ann, a vertical boilered sentinel loco dating from 1927, as well as the railway's ballast hoppers and Shark brakevan (on loan from the NRM).
(c) Pete Walker.
(C) Robert Milner Embsay signalbox was really beginning to be a cause for concern, even when a steel frame had been installed to hold it still. The work was carried out, which involved replacing the planking and the corner posts, and consequently we have a very smart operational signalbox at Embsay, as can be seen here.
(c) Robert Milner.
(C) Robert Milner One visiting locomotive which wasn't up to running the line was Damelza, which was generously provided at the last minute to help out with a loco shortage for a Thomas event. The loco managed one or two round trips before continually running hot, so it was confined to the station pilot role. This was really unfortunate as it would have made a lovely loco for the line - being a larger version of Cranford.
(c) Robert Milner.
(C) YDRMT The smart new signs and poster boards at Embsay are seen here - and yes, before you ask they are apparantly in genuine LMS colours!
(c) YDRMT.
(C) YDRMT The neat station is clearly seen here in this photograph which was taken in the sunshine, although the weather is about to change, again, judging by the clouds.
(c) YDRMT.
(C) Simon Gott This picture of Embsay Station, taken around Easter 2000, shows the station's appearance being improved with new fecing on Platform 2 as well as new running in boards (station name). The station has been painted in the authentic LMS colours with black and yellow signs and poster boards.
(c) Simon Gott.
(C) Simon Gott This view is from exactly the same location as the previous one, but the use of a zoom lens has allowed No. 22 to become visible on the overrun, as well as showing off the magnificent Midland Railway signals at the west end of the station.
(c) Simon Gott.
(C) Stephen Walker Annie is seen here from the footbridge with the vintage train ready to depart for Bolton Abbey with a Strawberry Special (contact Stately Trains for information of this service).
(c) Stephen Walker.
(C) Stephen Walker Annie is seen here from platform 2 with the vintage train ready to depart for Bolton Abbey with the same Strawberry Special as above. The carriages are ex-GER saloons, numbers 14 and 37, and will soon be joined by an ex-GNoSR carriage (No. 34), currently being restored in Harrogate.
(c) Stephen Walker.
(c) M.G.Riley Another view of the station buildings a whole demonstrates their character, framed nicely by the underside of the footbridge. To the far left the Bric-A-Brac stall has its own wooden building (well worth a look!). The station itself comprises ladies and gents toilets, the buffet and finally the shop. The waiting room is the historic (and completely restored) Cabman's Shelter, formerly at Ilkley station.
(c) M.G.Riley.
(C) YDRMT The GrantRail ballast regulator making a run on the line soon after its arrival. GrantRail were based on the line for a number of months to test and train on their new machines - resulting in two tampers (brand new) and a ballast regulator (also brand new) working at various times until mid February 2001. Ignore the date on the photo - the camera was incorrectly set, as it should read 2000.
(c) YDRMT.
(C) David Umpleby Cranford sits in platform 2 as 140 departs for Bolton Abbey with a passenger train on a wet day.
(c) David Umpleby.
(C) David Umpleby During the winter season with its lighter loadings, only two or three coaches are used so Annie is able to provide the haulage. Here she is seen entering Embsay station, with the shed steelwork visible in the background surrounding the original goods shed.
(c) David Umpleby.
(C) David Umpleby 68005 is partially silhoetted here as it prepares to depart for Bolton Abbey.
(c) David Umpleby.
(C) William Lister An unusual view of Embsay station - taken from the footplate of visiting Lambton Tank No. 29 as it enters the station with a service train from Bolton Abbey. This was the loco's second visit to the line, and once again it proved popular.
(c) William Lister.
(C) Tim Warner This was the sight presented to the signalman first thing on the recent Thomas event, with a lineup of locomotives being prepared on the coal dock. These comprised of 140 (as Thomas), visiting Lambton No.29, 68005 and Cranford No. 2. Also visible is M.D.H.B. No. 36 in platform 1. On the shed road you would have found Annie, masquarading as 'Percy'.
(c) Tim Warner.
(C) Tim Warner The visiting 'Pug' from the Worth Valley is seen here on the coal dock, just prior to lighting up in preparation for hauling a special with Stephen Middleton's L & Y Director's Saloon to celebrate its 100th birthday (the 'Pug').
(c) Tim Warner.
(C) Andrew Wilson A shunting manouvre takes place as the Pug hauls the vintage train out of platform 2 while Lambton No. 29 is seen in platform 1 with a service train.
(c) Andrew Wilson.
(C) Andrew Wilson Shunting maouvre completed, the Pug sits in platform 1 at Embsay with the Vintage Train awaiting the 'right away' to depart.
(c) Andrew Wilson.
(C) Rob Daniels The wintry scene from Embsay signalbox looking towards Bolton Abbey. Meaford waits at the bracket as the light fades.
(c) Rob Daniels.
(C) Tim Warner Cranford enters Embsay with a train in the snow on December 30th, 2001. Shortly after this the snow came down again, reducing visibility and preventing further photos.
(c) Tim Warner.
(C) Fred Kerr New Year's Day 2002 sees Cranford leaving the coal dock with snow on the ground. In the background Annie can be seen with the steam crane, with Monckton's boiler in red primer also visible.
(c) Fred Kerr.
(C) Fred Kerr Cranford stands in platform 1 ready for departure to Bolton Abbey with on of the New Year's Day Family Specials. The signal behind the loco has two arms (for improved visibility), and has become a memorable feature of Embsay station.
(c) Fred Kerr.
(C) Tom Ireland Changes at Embsay recently have included the provision of lighting and a paved forecourt to the station, seen to good effect here. From left to right, we have the ex-GWR Barmouth Ticket Office, the former Cabman's Shelter from Ilkley, and the original Embsay station building.
(c) Tom Ireland.

More photographs of Embsay 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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