Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway

Stoneacre Loop

This page contains photographs from the area around Stoneacre Loop. Where possible, the photographs are displayed in chronological order, earliest first. 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) Simon Gott The Class 107 DMU approaches the loop from Bolton Abbey.
(c) Simon Gott.
(C) Simon Gott The signal is pulled of, allowing the DMU to enter the loop road to pass the steam-hauled service from Embsay.
(c) Simon Gott.
(C) Simon Gott The exchanging of staffs is seen here, between Beth - Cranford's fireperson, and Pete - stoneacre signalman. Matthew watches on, ready to collect the staff for the DMU which is in the loop.
(c) Simon Gott.
(C) David Spark These four pictures show the staff exchange going on between the loco crew heading for Bolton Abbey and the signalman - in this case Bob Bonsall. As the train approaches, Bob holds up the Stoneacre-Bolton Abbey staff, and a hand to receive the Embsay-Stoneacre staff that is on the engine.
(c) David Spark.
(C) David Spark The same thing happens on the loco's footplate, and the staffs are exchanged.
(c) David Spark.
(C) David Spark The train carries on towards Bolton Abbey, and the signalman heads back to his 'box to set the route for the other train which is in the loop, waiting for the staff so that it can proceed to Embsay.
(c) David Spark.
(C) David Spark Bob clims the stairs with the staff as the train heads round the bend and out of sight.
(c) David Spark.
(C) Bob Bonsall This is the view of the signalbox looking from the top of the steps. The levers that are pulled off control the points at the Bolton Abbey end of the loop.
(c) Bob Bonsall.
(C) Bob Bonsall The area around Stoneacre 'box is maintained, and a conservation area is being developed behind as well. Here Anton strims the grass between the signalbox and the bracket signal to keep things tidy.
(c) Bob Bonsall.
(C) Matthew Bell The Stately Train (hauled by Annie passes through Stoneacre, whilst the passenger train is held in the loop.
(c) Matthew Bell.
(C) Tim Warner The footpath to the south of Stoneacre Loop provides some very good views, as can be seen from the folowing selection of photographs. The Class 107 DMU is seen approaching the loop from Bolton Abbey on a Summer Saturday service, where the DMU runs as a second set alongside the steam service.
(c) Tim Warner.
(C) Tim Warner With the DMU in the down road of the loop, Monckton passes with a service train, seen here slowing down to collect the staff for the Bolton Abbey section from the signalman.
(c) Tim Warner.
(C) Tim Warner With the staff safely aboard, Monckton sets off towards Bolton Abbey while the DMU remains in the loop until the Embsay staff is passed over.
(c) Tim Warner.
(C) Tim Warner Although the line is downhill towards Bolton Abbey, the loco is still working to accelerate the train, as seen here.
(c) Tim Warner.
(C) Tim Warner On the return from Bolton Abbey, Monckton can be seen working reasonably hard under Prior's Lane bridge.
(c) Tim Warner.
(C) Tim Warner Approaching the loop en route to Embsay, still climbing.
(c) Tim Warner.
(C) Tim Warner With steam virtually shut off for the exchange of staffs and entry into the loop road, Monckton coasts.
(c) Tim Warner.
(C) Tim Warner The regulator is opened again as Monckton enters the loop road and the staff has been handed over.
(c) Tim Warner.
(C) Tim Warner Finally, the DMU returns from Embsay, and the signalman is seen handing over the Bolton Abbey staff, as the service train is seen in the loop road.
(c) Tim Warner.
(C) Tim Warner The Summer Sunday service sees the Stately Trains service in operation alongside the normal steam service. Seen here, approaching Stonacre from Bolton Abbey, taken, again, from the footpath.
(c) Tim Warner.
(C) Tim Warner Annie is seen slightly nearer the loop in this photo, with the Gresley Restaurant Car, GNoSR No.34 and L&Y No.1 - the Stately Train for 2002.
(c) Tim Warner.
(C) Tim Warner 2003 will see Annie due for an overhaul, so another loco will be the mainstay of the Stately Trains operation.
(c) Tim Warner.
(C) William Lister 68005 approaches Stoneacre from Bolton Abbey with a passenger train, seen from the top of the hill upon which Draughton sits.
(c) William Lister.
(C) William Lister A little further on and the loop itself can be seen along with the lower half of the bracket signal.
(c) William Lister.
(C) Rob Daniels Viewed from the opposite side of the line, the remote setting of Stoneacre 'box becomes apparant as the sheep look on. The signalbox is a great place to work for a relaxing time between trains as the area is full of wildlife.
(c) Rob Daniels.

More photographs of Stoneacre Loop and the surrounding area can be found on the other page.

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