View source for Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway

{{Short description|Heritage railway in North Yorkshire, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox heritage railway
|name      = Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway
|image     = Embsay station.jpg
|image_width = 300px
|caption   = Embsay station
|locale    = [[Embsay]], [[North Yorkshire]], England
|terminus  = [[Embsay]]
|builtby   = [[Midland Railway]]
|originalgauge = {{Track gauge|uksg|allk=on}} 
|preservedgauge = {{Track gauge|uksg|allk=on}} 
|owned = Yorkshire Dales Railway Museum Trust (Holdings) Ltd<ref>{{cite web |title=Press Releases / About Us |url=https://www.embsayboltonabbeyrailway.org.uk/press-releases |website=Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway |access-date=15 July 2024}}</ref>
|operator = Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway
|linename = [[Skipton to Ilkley Line]]
|stations = 3
|length = {{convert|3.5|mi|km|sigfig=1}}
|originalopen =1888
|closed = 1965
|stageyears = 1968
|stage = Railway Preservation Society formed
|years = 
|years1 = 1979
|events1 = Embsay railway station re-opened 
|years2 = 1981 
|events2 = Railway line re-opens officially
|years3 = 1982
|events3 = DMU special operated Skipton to Embsay (prior to Embsay JCT removal)
|years4 = 1986
|events4 = Embsay railway station (then footbridgeless) appeared in Yorkshire Television sitcom [[In Loving Memory (TV series)|In Loving Memory]].
|years5 = 1987 
|events5 = Holywell Halt opens
|years6 = 1988
|events6 = Embsay railway station celebrated 100 years of the station itself.
|years7 = 1991
|events7 = Heritage line re-opens to and Stoneacre opens.
|years8 = 1995
|events8 = Price & Ownership for Bolton Abbey extension project agreed.
|years9 = 1997
|events9 = Trains return to Bolton Abbey
|years10 = 1998
|events10 = Bolton Abbey railway station re-opens officially.
|years11 = 1999
|events11 = Heritage Railway awarded in National Railway Heritage Awards.
|years12 = 2011
|events12 = E&BASR Granted by Heritage Lottery Fund to and for electric autocar restoration
|headquarters = [[Embsay]]
}}
{{Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway}}

The '''Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway''' (E&BASR) is a [[heritage railway]] in [[North Yorkshire]], England, formed in 1979 and opened in 1981.

The preserved railway was part of the former [[Midland Railway]] route from [[Skipton to Ilkley Line|Skipton to Ilkley]] which was closed down by [[British Railways]] in 1965 over 15 years before the reopening of part of the line.

The E&BASR currently runs for a total distance of {{convert|4|mi|km|sigfig=1}} from [[Embsay]] via [[Draughton, North Yorkshire|Draughton Sidings]], [[Holywell Halt|Holywell]] and Stoneacre Loop to [[Bolton Abbey]] station and carries around 100,000 passengers a year.<ref>{{cite news|title = Steam railway with a future|url = http://www.cravenherald.co.uk/daleslife/11805157.Steam_railway_with_a_future/|work = Craven Herald|access-date = 5 November 2015}}</ref>

The long-term objectives of the railway are extensions of the line in both directions, eastwards to the West Yorkshire village of [[Addingham railway station|Addingham]] and southwest towards the North Yorkshire market town of [[Skipton railway station|Skipton]].<ref>{{cite news|title = Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway chiefs put case for Skipton rail link to ministers.|url = http://www.cravenherald.co.uk/news/11872743.Embsay_and_Bolton_Abbey_Steam_Railway_chiefs_put_case_for_Skipton_rail_link_to_ministers_/|work = Craven Herald|access-date = 4 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title = Embsay Railway's bid to re-establish link to Skipton is still on track|url = http://www.ilkleygazette.co.uk/news/13593515.Embsay_Railway_s_bid_to_re_establish_link_to_Skipton_is_still_on_track/?ref=ar|work = Ilkley Gazette|access-date = 4 November 2015}}</ref>

==Overview==
{{unreferenced section|date=March 2016}}
The rolling stock on the line consists of 20 ex-industrial locomotives, the oldest of which was built in 1908, three diesel-multiple units, and ten other diesel locomotives. The railway hold an annual gala Branchline Weekend.

[[Embsay railway station]] was built in 1888. Bolton Abbey village is named after the nearby 12th century [[Bolton Priory]], belonging to the [[Dukes of Devonshire]].

The route was formerly part of the [[Midland Railway]] line that connected [[Skipton]] and [[Ilkley]] via [[Addingham]]. The line was shut down by [[British Railways]] in 1965 and was left to fall in disrepair. Around 14 years after closure, a group of volunteers put forward a plan in 1979 to reopen the line as a preservation route. This plan went ahead and Embsay railway station was refurbished throughout the second half of the 1970s and reopened in 1981.

To the west of Embsay station, a [[run-round loop]] for locomotives was built near the site of the former Embsay Junction, which was disconnected when the line closed.

By 1987 further extensions brought the line to a newly constructed halt at [[Holywell Halt|Holywell]] and later to Stoneacre Loop. [[Bolton Abbey railway station]] finally reopened in 1998, bringing the current total of over 4 miles in length.

==Expansion plans==

=== Extension to Addingham and Ilkley ===

As the original line stretched from the North Yorkshire market town of Skipton to the West Yorkshire spa town of Ilkley, there was talk of extending the re-opened track to cover the original extent prior to its closure by British Railways in 1965.

Taking the line to Addingham and re-opening {{stnlink|Addingham}} is often mentioned as a potential project but the line's owners have stated that they intend to consolidate the current route instead.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.embsayboltonabbeyrailway.org.uk/historyo.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080228013646/http://www.embsayboltonabbeyrailway.org.uk/historyo.html|url-status=dead|title=Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway History|archive-date=28 February 2008|access-date=22 February 2008}}</ref>

An extension to Addingham would be a huge project, and would involve a near-doubling of the line's current length. Previous extensions have been built in small sections over a long period of time, so a re-opening of the line to Addingham would be many years off.

Reports suggest [[Sustrans]] are interested in converting the route into a [[cycle path]], but would provide formation space for a single track allowing any extension to be built.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.embsayboltonabbeyrailway.org.uk/babadd.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090817220010/http://www.embsayboltonabbeyrailway.org.uk/babadd.html|url-status=dead|title=Bolton Abbey to Addingham|archive-date=17 August 2009|access-date=22 February 2008}}</ref>

The Addingham extension could start off as an extension to a possible halt ''Wharfe Riverside'' located near the hamlet of Bolton Bridge{{clarify|date=July 2012}}), before Addingham could be considered officially.

The [[Embankment (transportation)|embankment]] supporting Addingham railway station, goods yard and depot was removed and replaced in the 1980s with a housing development, with the bridge and abutments over the main road demolished at around the same time.

There are plans to rebuild one of the bridge abutments at the end of the surviving embankment to the north as part of the Addingham Project which also involves constructing a replica [[London, Midland and Scottish Railway|LMS]] style station, goods yard and depot on the extra land next to and at the edge of the embankment.

These would be over the main road from the now defunct former station and goods depot. Funds would need to be collected for 10 to 15 years before any project of this extent could be realised.

Much of the route between Addingham and Ilkley has been re-developed since abandonment. [[Cutting (transportation)|Cuttings]] have been filled in and Ilkley viaduct was demolished in 1973.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ilkley Viaduct demolition in 1973 |url=https://www.wharfedaleobserver.co.uk/features/featuresnostalgia/11128308.ilkley-viaduct-demolition-in-1973/ |access-date=4 November 2025 |work=Wharfedale Observer |date=4 April 2014}}</ref>

The Skipton [[Railway platform|platforms]] at Ilkley station now form the station's car park, and there has been significant building development in Ilkley [[town centre]] on the former trackbed. Therefore, it is unlikely that this section will be reinstated as preserving the whole line between Ilkley and Skipton was considered too expensive.

=== Connection to Skipton station ===

There is currently no link between the Heritage line and the [[Network Rail]] branch line to [[Swinden Quarry]] (the former [[Yorkshire Dales Railway]]), the points at this site having been dismantled. Re-instating this link would allow trains to serve {{stnlink|Skipton}} station, and would potentially offer greater access to the railway.<ref name="rail647">{{cite news|magazine=Rail|issue=647|date=30 June 2010|title=Formal study planned for Bolton Abbey-Skipton link|page=15}}</ref>

The platforms at Skipton (5 & 6) that served the [[Ilkley]] route were made redundant in 1965. If this link were reinstated these platforms would require a rebuild as they have been disused for a very long time.

In 1982 there were plans to extend the line to Skipton, as a special DMU service was running at the time.{{Citation needed|date=December 2008}} Because [[British Rail]] still used the section between the two stations for its operations to Swinden Quarry (this section of the old branch line to [[Grassington & Threshfield railway station|Grassington]] was and is still part of the rail network), plans were dropped, stating that operating as far as Skipton whilst sharing the line with the goods operation was too problematic.

[[Network Rail]] has carried out a survey for the reinstatement of the connecting points between the Heritage line at Embsay and the freight line to [[Rylstone]], and the reinstatement of the two platforms 5 and 6 at Skipton. The cost has been estimated to be between £1.1&nbsp;million and £2.6&nbsp;million.<ref name="rail647"/> If funding is made available, then the line could be extended.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Today's Railways UK]]|issue=86|title=(Title to be confirmed)}}</ref> [[JMP Consulting]] has been commissioned to develop a business case for the project.<ref name="rail647"/>

== Media appearances ==

The railway was also the filming location of an episode of ''[[Emmerdale]]'' (also a Yorkshire Television programme). In the episode, [[Embsay railway station|Embsay station]] was made to look like the fictional Hotten station. Many of the well-known characters from the show were at the filming. The episode was filmed in December 2004.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.embsayboltonabbeyrailway.org.uk/emmerdale04.html |title=Emmerdale filming pictures |access-date=22 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719174712/http://www.embsayboltonabbeyrailway.org.uk/emmerdale04.html |archive-date=19 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== The route of the EBASR ==
{{GeoGroup|section=The route of the EBASR}}
{{PoIgb start|type=collapsed}}
{{PoIgb|{{stnlnk|Skipton}}|53.9585|-2.0264| |Network Rail (Proposed extension) | |name=Skipton Station (NR) Proposed extension}}
{{PoIgb|{{stnlnk|Embsay}}|53.9755|-1.9912| | | |name=Embsay Station}}
{{PoIgb|{{stnlnk|Holywell Halt}}|53.9758|-1.9602| | | |name=Holywell Halt}}
{{PoIgb|Stoneacre Loop|53.9734|-1.9497| | | |name=Stoneacre Loop}}
{{PoIgb|{{stnlnk|Bolton Abbey}}|53.9763|-1.9087| | | |name=Bolton Abbey Station}}
{{PoIgb|{{stnlnk|Addingham}}|53.9443|-1.8840| |Closed (Proposed extension) | |name=Addingham Station (Closed) Proposed extension}}
{{PoIgb end}}
The line runs through the countryside of the [[Yorkshire Dales]] in the county council area of [[North Yorkshire]].

The railway has helped and supported the surrounding area (and local economy) to regenerate and provide brand new attractions, boosting both trade and tourism.

*''[[Skipton railway station|Skipton]] platforms 5 & 6 (proposed)''. One of two long-term objectives (since 2000), the proposed northern terminus of the line to interchange with [[Northern (train operating company)|Northern]] train services on the nearby [[Airedale Line]].

:Haw Bank Tunnel. The 220yd long railway tunnel, located en route between Skipton station and Embsay Junction.

:Embsay Junction. Located close to Embsay station and connects to the Rylstone line (section of the former [[Grassington Branch]]).

*[[Embsay railway station|Embsay]]. Re-opened in 1981, restored to its former LMS condition. The current terminus of the line. Facilities include booking office, waiting room, toilets and souvenir shop.
*''[[Draughton, North Yorkshire|Draughton]] (proposed)''. In the old days of the Midland (later LMS) Railway, there were once plans to build a little halt called Draughton, at the siding, "marking where it was to be built but never had".
*[[Holywell Halt|Holywell]]. Opened in 1987 to view [[Craven Fault]].

:Stoneacre. Former run-round loop en route along the line, now used as a passing loop for use during two train operation.

*[[Bolton Abbey railway station|Bolton Abbey]]. Current terminus of the line. Facilities include booking office, waiting room, toilets, a souvenir shop and tearoom
*''[[Addingham railway station|Addingham]] (proposed)''. One of two long-term objectives. The original railway station and goods site have long since been demolished and redeveloped, although the trackbed between Bolton Abbey and Addingham still exists.

==Railcar==
{{Expand section|date=October 2023}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Origin
! Number/Name 
! Class
! Notes
! Photograph
|-
| [[North Eastern Railway (United Kingdom)|NER]]
| 3170
| [[1903 Petrol Electric Autocar]]
| A new powertrain has been installed and tested successfully on the [[Great Central Railway (preserved)]]. The autocar's restoration has been completed and is available for traffic.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://electricautocar.co.uk/the-autocar-returns-to-service/|title=The Autocar returns to service &#124; The 1903 Electric Autocar Trust|first=Simon|last=Gott|access-date=23 November 2018}}</ref>
|[[File:Autocar under restoration.jpg|200px]]
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway}}
*[http://www.embsayboltonabbeyrailway.org.uk/ The E&BASR website]
*[http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/pois/heritage_railways/embsay_and_bolton_abbey_steam_railway.skipton.htm National Rail Enquires information on the Railway] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060926035426/http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/pois/heritage_railways/embsay_and_bolton_abbey_steam_railway.skipton.htm |date=26 September 2006 }}
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QAUPeermCw Video footage of Embsay railway station and train in 2015]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpt48KMvAgU Video footage of Bolton Abbey railway station in 2015]
{{Heritage railways in England}}

{{Coord|53.975|-1.991|display=title|region:GB_scale:20000}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Embsay And Bolton Abbey Steam Railway}}
[[Category:Heritage railways in Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 1979]]
[[Category:Embsay with Eastby]]