The Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway is a volunteer-run, preserved Heritage Railway which does not receive any grants or subsidies towards running. It runs over part of the former Skipton-Ilkley line which was closed in 1965 and has steadily been rebuilt by the volunteers. Skipton is the next target.
Travel between Embsay station, built in 1888, and the award-winning station at Bolton Abbey. Your journey takes you through picturesque Yorkshire Dales scenery. Bolton Abbey station is the ideal stopping off point for a pleasant one and a half mile walk to the ruins of the 12th Century priory. Venture a little further to picnic on the banks of the River Wharfe, or in the shade of Strid Wood where you will find the Cavendish Pavillion for refreshments.
12322: Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway A-Class (No 1300) built in 1896. Running in its LMS guise
Beatrice: Hunslet 16” saddle tank, recently restored to service following a long overhaul. Formerly worked in collieries.
68005: although it carries BR livery, Norman, never saw BR service spending its life in use in collieries.
20: Hudswell Clarke side tank locomotive which worked as Samuel Fox & Co Ltd’s No 20. Also carries the name Jennifer.
A gallery of photographs from the Branchline Weekend 03 May 2014
Click on Image to see Slideshow
Besides having restored steam engines, the railway also boasts some vintage railway carriages too. All of the vintage carriages are more than 100 years old and what’s more they’re not just museum pieces you actually get to ride in some of them.
The carriage we chose to have a ride in was built by the Great Eastern Railway in 1889, for the use by their chief engineer and VIPs travelling on the Great Eastern Railway. The carriage has been put to a variety of uses since it was constructed before it was restored by Stephen Middleton. Its restoration was completed in 1998 more details of which can be found here.
The carriage has small sideways projecting windows and large panoramic windows to the rear affording excellent and unusual views of the railway and Yorkshire Dales scenery.
Below is a video of our ride along the heritage railway.
