View source for Harrogate line

{{Short description|Passenger rail line in England}}
{{Update|Future|date=April 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox rail line
| name                            = Harrogate line
| box_width                       = 
| color                           = 91278f
| logo                            = 
| logo_width                      = 
| image                           = Arthington Viaduct (161504105).jpeg
| image_width                     = 300px
| caption                         = The [[Arthington Viaduct]] near [[Pool-in-Wharfedale]]
| type                            = [[Heavy rail]]
| system                          = [[National Rail]]
| status                          = Operational
| locale                          = [[West Yorkshire]]<br>[[North Yorkshire]]
| start                           = [[Leeds railway station|Leeds]]
| end                             = [[York railway station|York]]
| stations                        = 14
| routes                          = 
| open                            = 1848
| close                           = 
| owner                           = [[Network Rail]]
| operator                        = [[Northern (train operating company)|Northern]]<br>[[London North Eastern Railway]]
| character                       = 
| depot                           = [[Neville Hill depot|Neville Hill]]
| stock                           = [[British Rail Class 150|Class 150 ''Sprinter'']]<br>[[British Rail Class 155|Class 155 ''Super Sprinter'']]<br>[[British Rail Class 158|Class 158 ''Express Sprinter'']]<br>[[British Rail Class 170|Class 170 ''Turbostar'']]<br>[[British Rail Class 800|Class 800 ''Azuma'']] 

| linelength                      = {{convert|62|km|adj=on|order=flip}}
| tracklength                     = 
| gauge                           = {{RailGauge|ussg|allk=on}}
| speed                           = 
| elevation                       = 
| map                             = [[File:Harrogate line.png|300px]]<br>([[:commons:File:Harrogate line.png|Click to expand]])
| map_state                       = uncollapsed
}}
{{Harrogate Line|collapse=y}}
The '''Harrogate line''' is a passenger rail line through parts of [[North Yorkshire]] and the [[West Yorkshire]] area of northern England connecting [[Leeds]] to [[York]] by way of [[Harrogate]] and [[Knaresborough]]. Service on the line is operated by [[Northern (train operating company)|Northern]], with a few additional workings by [[London North Eastern Railway]] starting and terminating at Harrogate. [[West Yorkshire Metro]]'s bus and rail ''MetroCard'' ticket is available for journeys between [[Leeds railway station|Leeds]] and [[Harrogate railway station|Harrogate]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wymetro.com/TicketsAndPasses/Metrorailcard|title=Zone 6 and 7 rail tickets - Metro|access-date=14 January 2016}}</ref>

==Route==

===History===
The routes over which the Harrogate line trains now run were opened in 1848 by two of the railways which came to be part of the [[North Eastern Railway (UK)|North Eastern Railway]]: the ''[[Leeds Northern Railway]]'' and the ''[[East and West Yorkshire Junction Railway]]''. At the time of the [[Railways Act 1921|1923 Grouping]] the Harrogate area formed the junction for five routes: the main line was that of the [[Leeds-Northallerton railway]]; the other lines were to:
* [[Pateley Bridge railway station|Pateley Bridge]];
* [[Pilmoor railway station|Pilmoor]] on the [[East Coast Main Line]], the junction for the line to York (the only remaining section open)
* [[Wetherby (Linton Road) railway station|Wetherby]], the junction with the [[Cross Gates–Wetherby line]];
* [[Church Fenton railway station|Church Fenton]], terminus of the [[Harrogate–Church Fenton line]]
The Leeds station at the time was ''Leeds Central station'', jointly owned by the NER and the [[Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway]].

The line terminated in Harrogate at the [[Harrogate railway station#Harrogate (Brunswick) station|Brunswick station]] which was opened in 1848 but closed in 1862 when a new and more central [[Harrogate railway station|station]] was opened.

===Description===
[[File:British Rail York to Leeds via Harrogate diagram with closed stations and lines indicated.png|right|thumb|300px|Schematic diagram of the Harrogate line including closed stations and branch lines]]
The {{convert|62|km|mi|adj=on|order=flip}} line is composed of all or part of the following [[Network Rail]] routes:

* LNE 9 from Leeds to Leeds West Junction
* LNE 6A from Leeds West Junction
{| class="wikitable"
! LNE 6A
!width=50 |M–[[chain (unit)|Ch]]
!width=50 |km
|-
| Leeds West Junction
|align=right|0–00
|align=right|0.00
|-
| Whitehall Junction
|align=right|0–25
|align=right|0.50
|-
| [[Headingley railway station|Headingley]]
|align=right|2–67
|align=right|4.55
|-
| [[Horsforth railway station|Horsforth]]
|align=right|5–37
|align=right|8.80
|-
| [[Weeton railway station|Weeton]]
|align=right|11–38
|align=right|18.45
|-
| [[Pannal railway station|Pannal]]
|align=right|14–59
|align=right|23.70
|-
| [[Harrogate railway station|Harrogate]]
|align=right|18–00
|align=right|28.95
|}
* LNE 6 from Harrogate
{| class="wikitable"
! LNE 6
!width=50 |M–[[chain (unit)|Ch]]
!width=50 |km
|-
| [[Harrogate railway station|Harrogate]]
|align=right|0–00
|align=right|0.00
|-
| [[Starbeck railway station|Starbeck]]
|align=right|2–11
|align=right|3.45
|-
| [[Knaresborough railway station|Knaresborough]]
|align=right|3–64
|align=right|6.10
|-
| [[Cattal railway station|Cattal]]
|align=right|10–18
|align=right|16.45
|-
| [[Hammerton railway station|Hammerton]]
|align=right|11–57
|align=right|18.85
|-
| [[Poppleton railway station|Poppleton]]
|align=right|17–34
|align=right|28.05
|-
| Skelton Junction
|align=right|18–68
|align=right|30.35
|}
* LNE 2 from Skelton Junction to York

====Stations and features====
Currently open stations are shown in '''bold''' font.

* '''[[Leeds railway station|Leeds]]''' is a major transport hub where several long-distance and commuter lines meet. Trains scheduled to operate via Harrogate to York are shown with the destination of "Poppleton via Harrogate" because the Leeds-York journey via this route takes 40 minutes longer than on the route of the [[York and Selby Lines]] via Garforth.
* Royal Gardens, only a short distance from Burley Park, was closed in 1858.
* Cardigan Road Goods station is closed and now the site of a builders yard.
* '''[[Burley Park railway station|Burley Park]]''' opened in 1988.
* '''[[Headingley railway station|Headingley]]''' near Kirkstall Lane (B6157 road) is the closest station to the Kirkstall Lane end of Headingley Stadium.
* [[Horsforth Woodside railway station|Horsforth Woodside]] was located near Leeds Outer Ring Road, today's [[A6120 road|A6120]], and closed in 1864. Opening of a new station here has been discussed on several occasions.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/back-on-track-after-beeching-1-2202115 | title = Back on track after Beeching | date = 12 January 2009 | newspaper = Yorkshire Evening Post|access-date=3 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/call-for-more-car-parking-at-leeds-station-1-7471780 | title = Call for more car parking at Leeds station | date = 21 September 2015 | newspaper = Yorkshire Evening Post|access-date=3 July 2017}}</ref>
* '''[[Horsforth railway station|Horsforth]]''' is physically the closest railway station to Leeds & Bradford Airport, though no direct public transport link currently exists between Horsforth station and the Airport terminal.  The closest railway station with a bus link is [[Guiseley railway station|Guiseley]] on the busier electrified [[Wharfedale Line]].
[[Image:Bramhope Tunnel south portal.jpg|thumb|right|260px|South portal of the Bramhope Tunnel]]
* [[Bramhope Tunnel]] with a length of 2 miles 220 yd (3418 m) is the longest tunnel on the historic NER system.
* [[Arthington railway station|Arthington]] was a triangular junction for the line to [[Otley railway station|Otley]]. Both station and branch are now closed.  Plans to reopen the station as a park and ride facility for Pool-in Wharfedale have been mooted by campaigners,<ref>{{cite web|title=Rail update from Arthington Station Action Group|url=https://poolinwharfedale.wordpress.com/2013/01/30/rail-update-from-arthington-station-action-group/|website=pool in wharfedale news|access-date=4 July 2017|date=30 January 2013}}</ref> but both Otley Town Council and West Yorkshire Metro state that the local road network could not support a park and ride facility.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Jack|first1=Jim|title=Full steam ahead for new station|url=http://www.wharfedaleobserver.co.uk/news/8408099.Full_steam_ahead_for_new_station/|access-date=4 July 2017|work=Wharfedale Observer|date=23 September 2010}}</ref>
* [[Arthington Viaduct]]
* '''[[Weeton railway station|Weeton]]''' serves [[Huby, Harrogate|Huby]], [[Weeton, North Yorkshire|Weeton]] and [[Otley]].
* '''[[Pannal railway station|Pannal]]''' serves [[Pannal, North Yorkshire|Pannal]], [[Burn Bridge]] and [[Pannal#Landmarks and places of interest|Spacey Houses]].
* The line climbs and turns sharply, passing the junction with the former [[Harrogate–Church Fenton line]] where the short-lived Crimple station was located,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/c/crimple/index.shtml | title = Crimple | first= Nick |last=Catford | publisher = disused-stations.co.uk | date = 17 May 2017|access-date=1 September 2017}}</ref> and crosses ''[[Crimple Valley Viaduct]]'', under which the original main line passed en route to [[Starbeck]]. The course of this section (closed in 1951) can be seen from the viaduct.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=53.97041~-1.510926&style=a&lvl=17&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&rtp=null~null&encType=1 | title = Aerial View}}</ref>
* '''[[Hornbeam Park railway station|Hornbeam Park]]''' serves the southern parts of Harrogate, [[Oatlands, North Yorkshire|Oatlands]] and is also the closest station to the Great Yorkshire Showground. It opened in 1992, making it the newest station on the line.
* '''[[Harrogate railway station|Harrogate]]''' is also served by trains to and from London every 2 hours. The bus station is immediately adjacent.
* '''[[Starbeck railway station|Starbeck]]''' serves [[Starbeck]] and [[Woodlands, Harrogate, North Yorkshire|Woodlands]]. Here were the junctions for the former [[Nidd Valley Railway]] to [[Pateley Bridge railway station|Pateley Bridge]] and the line to [[Ripon railway station|Ripon]] and [[Northallerton railway station|Northallerton]].
* The line crosses the [[River Nidd]] on a [[Knaresborough Viaduct|four-arch stone viaduct]].
* '''[[Knaresborough railway station|Knaresborough]]''' is near [[Knaresborough]] High Street (the [[A59 road|A59]]). Here the [[Pilmoor, Boroughbridge and Knaresborough Railway|line to Pilmoor]] branched off. Most of the line between Knaresborough and York was singled in the 1980s. However, the track between Cattal and Hammerton stations remains double track and functions as a passing loop. The line between Poppleton & York is also double.
* [[Goldsborough railway station|Goldsborough]] closed to passengers in 1958 and to freight in 1965.
* [[Hopperton railway station|Hopperton]] closed to passengers in 1958 and to freight in 1962.
* '''[[Cattal railway station|Cattal]]''' serves [[Cattal]], [[Whixley]] and [[Green Hammerton]].
* '''[[Hammerton railway station|Hammerton]]''' serves [[Green Hammerton]] and [[Kirk Hammerton]].
* [[Wilstrop Siding railway station|Wilstrop Siding]] served [[Copmanthorpe]] and closed to passengers in 1931, to freight in 1964.
* [[Marston Moor railway station|Marston Moor]] which served [[Long Marston, North Yorkshire|Long Marston]] closed to passengers in 1958, to freight in 1965 and to parcels in 1967.
* [[Hessay railway station|Hessay]] closed to passengers in 1958 and to freight in 1964.
* '''[[Poppleton railway station|Poppleton]]''' serves [[Upper Poppleton]] and [[Nether Poppleton]].
* '''[[York railway station|York]]''' is also served by the East Coast Main Line and by the [[York and Selby Lines]] and the [[Dearne Valley line]], trains on the latter two being operated by [[Northern (train operating company)|Northern]]. At York station, trains travelling to Leeds via Harrogate are shown with the destination of Burley Park as the route takes 40 mins longer via Harrogate.

===Special services===
In addition to the regular services on the Harrogate line, there is occasionally an increased service which runs prior to and after a major event on at [[Headingley Stadium]] such as an international [[cricket]] [[Test cricket|test match]]. The services run between Leeds and Horsforth stations to cater for a large usage at Headingley and Burley Park railway stations, and tickets are sold by Revenue Protection staff at the entrances to the platforms. This is to reduce the queue for tickets at Leeds station. Extra services have also been run on the Harrogate line for the [[Great Yorkshire Show]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk/html/at-the-show/show-information/by-train/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111111055203/http://greatyorkshireshow.co.uk/html/at-the-show/show-information/by-train | archive-date = 11 November 2011 | title = By Train | publisher = Great Yorkshire Show | year = 2011 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

In July 2014, the [[Tour de France]] [[2014 Tour de France|Grand Depart 2014]] was held in Yorkshire with stage 1 from Leeds to Harrogate and thousands of spectators were expected. Extra trains were operated in this occasion. In addition to the local trains which were run at increased capacity,<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-27481909 | work = BBC News | title = Extra trains laid on for Tour de France Grand Depart in Yorkshire | date = 20 May 2014 | access-date = 10 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-28133310 | work = BBC News | title = Additional train services for Tour de France in Yorkshire | date = 2 July 2014 | access-date = 10 July 2017}}</ref> two locomotive hauled services ran between Leeds and Harrogate during the day.  Passengers wishing to travel between the depart at Leeds and first day finishing at Harrogate were required to wait separately outside Leeds station rather than proceed through the barriers, given the limited capacity through the station.

===Trains===
[[File:Train passing through Burley Park station (geograph 6255213).jpg|thumb|right|260px|{{brc|170}} at {{stnlink|Burley Park}} station, 2019]]
The route is served by [[Northern Trains]] rolling stock; the most common seen on the line is the [[British Rail Class 170|Class 170 ''Turbostar'']], and [[British Rail Class 150|Class 150 Sprinters]], [[British Rail Class 155|Class 155 Super Sprinters]] and [[British Rail Class 158|Class 158 Express Sprinters]] often make appearances on the line as well. London North Eastern Railway services use the [[British Rail Class 800|Class 800 ''Azuma'']].<ref name=170YP>"New fleet of trains roll on to Harrogate line" ''[[Yorkshire Post]]'' issue 759 15 October 2014 page 8</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Beard|first1=Alexander|title=New fleet of trains roll on to Harrogate line|url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/transport/new-fleet-of-trains-roll-on-to-harrogate-line-1-9174011|access-date=23 May 2018|work=The Yorkshire Post|date=21 May 2018}}</ref>

==Future==
In July 2011, Harrogate Chamber of Commerce proposed electrifying the line with 750 V DC third rail, using [[London Underground D78 Stock|D Stock]] of the [[London Underground]], to substantially increase capacity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.harrogatechamber.org/PDF%20&%20Word%20Files/HC484-Harrogate%20Line%20News.pdf|title=Harrogate Line News 1 – 1st Meeting supports bid|date=12 August 2011|publisher=Harrogate Chamber of Commerce|access-date=26 August 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001060309/http://www.harrogatechamber.org/PDF%20%26%20Word%20Files/HC484-Harrogate%20Line%20News.pdf|archive-date=1 October 2011}}</ref> The D stock's replacement by [[London Underground S7 and S8 Stock|S Stock]] on the [[District line]] in 2015 has made them available for other locations. It is proposed that the stock will be converted to use the [[Railway electrification in Great Britain#750 V DC.2C third rail .28bottom contact.29|bottom-contact third rail]] system.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.harrogatechamber.org/harrogateline_faq1.htm|title=Frequently Asked Questions|access-date=14 January 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118062721/http://www.harrogatechamber.org/harrogateline_faq1.htm|archive-date=18 January 2016}}</ref> The scheme never gained support from Metro, [[Northern Rail]] or National Rail, generally overhead electrification is favoured and is the only method used in the region. Furthermore, the D stock is older than current stock using the line and runs on a fourth rail system, although D Stock units have successfully been converted to 3rd rail operation as [[British Rail Class 484|Class 484s]].

Several [[Proposed railway stations in England#Harrogate Line|new stations]] have also been proposed, including at [[Flaxby]] and [[Knaresborough]] East. In November 2013 ''[[Rail Magazine]]'' reported on plans for the line to be electrified at 25 kV AC overhead power lines which could be in use by 2019. This would mean that there would be two electric lines to York from Leeds, the other being Leeds to York via Cross Gates which will soon be electrified.

On 5 March 2015, the Harrogate line, amongst others in the area including the Leeds–Bradford Interchange–Halifax line, the Selby–Hull line and the Northallerton–Middlesbrough line were named top priority for electrification; with an estimated cost for the Harrogate line of £93&nbsp;million with a projected [[cost-benefit ratio]] of 1/3.60. No date has been set however.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/news/business/harrogate-reacts-to-rail-electrification-news-1-7140846|title=Harrogate reacts to rail electrification news|work=Harrogate Advertiser|access-date=14 January 2016}}</ref>

From December 2017, additional services on Sundays began with an extra hourly service from Leeds to Knaresborough during the day. This means trains between Knaresborough/Harrogate and Leeds are now every 30 minutes during the daytime on Sundays. Funding has been secured for signalling and infrastructure upgrades on the section of line between Knaresborough and York. This will allow an enhanced passenger service of two trains per hour. However, the proposal to re-open {{rws|Goldsborough}} railway station to serve a new housing estate, would jeopardise reliable timings on the train service.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Leeming |first1=Lachlan |title=New train station would "jeopardise" improved service between York and Knaresborough, councillor says |url=https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/news/new-train-station-would-jeopardise-improved-service-between-york-and-knaresborough-councillor-says-1-9638166 |access-date=12 March 2019 |work=The Harrogate Advertiser |date=8 March 2019 }}</ref> The £13&nbsp;million scheme will be carried out over the summer and autumn of 2020 with improved signalling. This will allow two services an hour between York, Knaresborough and Harrogate.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Webster |first1=Jacob |title=Train services to Harrogate set to double |url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/18414658.trains-set-double-route/ |access-date=29 April 2020 |work=York Press |date=29 April 2020 }}</ref>

In December 2019, London North Eastern Railway (LNER), intend to increase their one train a day, between Harrogate and London King's Cross, to six trains each way per day, including weekends.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chalmers |first1=Graham |title=New Harrogate-London rail times revealed |url=https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/business/new-harrogate-london-rail-times-revealed-1-9773991 |access-date=10 June 2019 |work=Harrogate Advertiser |date=17 May 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref> The service will be suitable for an increase in service pattern due to LNER using its bi-mode [[British Rail Class 800|class 800 Azuma]] trains that would have previously terminated at Leeds. A siding at the northern end of Harrogate station has been brought back into use to enable the trains to reverse direction.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Abbott |first1=James |title=LNER modernisation gathers pace |magazine=Modern Railways |date=April 2019 |volume=76 |issue=847 |page=54 |publisher=Key Publishing |location=Stamford |issn=0026-8356}}</ref>

Since 1 March 2020 services have been directly operated by the [[Department for Transport]] (DfT) under the brand name [[Northern Trains]], with an objective of "stabilising performance and restoring reliability for passengers".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-51298820|title=Rail firm Northern to be put into public ownership|date=29 January 2020|work=BBC News|access-date=29 January 2020}}</ref>

==The Line to Ripon==

The city was previously served by [[Ripon railway station]] on the [[Leeds-Northallerton Railway|Leeds–Northallerton line]] that ran between [[Leeds]] and [[Northallerton]].<ref name="railwaynorth">{{cite news|url = http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/6991144.Reopening_line_makes_economic_sense__says_study/|title =Reopening line makes economic sense, says study|work = Northern Echo|access-date=1 February 2009}}</ref> It was once part of the [[North Eastern Railway (UK)|North Eastern Railway]] and then [[London and North Eastern Railway|LNER]].

The [[Leeds-Northallerton Railway|Ripon line]] was closed to passengers on 6 March 1967 and to freight on 5 September 1969 as part of the wider [[Beeching Axe]], despite a vigorous campaign by local campaigners, including the city's MP.<ref name="railwaynorth" /> Today much of the route of the line through the city is now a relief road and although the former station still stands, it is now surrounded by a new housing development. The issue remains a significant one in local politics and there are movements wanting to restore the line.<ref name="railwaynorth" /> Reports suggest the reopening of a line between Ripon and [[Harrogate railway station]] would be economically viable, costing £40&nbsp;million and could initially attract 1,200 passengers a day, rising to 2,700.<ref name="railwaynorth" /><ref>{{cite news|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/north_yorkshire/3702743.stm|title =Backing for restoring rail link|publisher =BBC |work=BBC News Online | date=11 May 2004 | access-date=4 January 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Reopening of 11-mile Harrogate-Ripon rail link takes a step nearer|url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/reopening-of-11-mile-harrogate-ripon-rail-link-takes-a-step-nearer-1-2144042|access-date=15 January 2018|work=Yorkshire Evening Post|date=16 January 2006}}</ref> Campaigners call on [[Members of Parliament|MPs]] to restore Ripon railway link.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/main-topics/general-news/campaigners-call-on-mps-to-restore-ripon-railway-link-1-6381730|title = Campaigners call on MPs to restore Ripon railway link|newspaper = [[Yorkshire Post]]|access-date = 2 March 2015}}</ref>

In the former [[North Yorkshire Council|North Yorkshire County Council]]'s 'A Strategic Transport Prospectus for North Yorkshire', they propose to build an entirely new railway between Leeds, Harrogate and Ripon which would have a junction with the East Coast Main Line north of Northallerton station. This would enable {{convert|125|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} running, reduce journey times and provide an alternative route when the current Leeds to York to Northallerton section is closed.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Broadbent|first1=Steve|title=Council Proposes Leeds to Northallerton Railway|magazine=Rail Magazine|date=11 November 2015|issue=787|page=18|url=http://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/2015/11/02/new-railway-for-yorskshire}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Harrogate Line}}
*[https://archive.today/20060315022812/http://www.wymetro.com/TrainTravel/MetroTrainTimetablesAndRoutes/HarrogateLine.htm Metro line details (fare structure, map etc)]
*[http://www.northyorks.gov.uk/article/30583/Local-transport-plan-four-LTP4 NYCC's web page with the Strategic Transport Prospectus for North Yorkshire]

{{Railway lines in Yorkshire and the Humber}}
{{West Yorkshire railway stations}}

{{coord|53.99382|-1.5377|display=title}}

[[Category:Rail transport in West Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Rail transport in North Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Transport in Harrogate]]
[[Category:Rail transport in York]]
[[Category:Transport in Leeds]]
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 1848]]
[[Category:Railway lines in Yorkshire and the Humber]]
[[Category:1848 establishments in England]]