It’s the 200th anniversary of rail travel this year. Have you ridden on all these heritage railways in the Yorkshire Dales? The best known, and arguably the most scenic line has to be the Settle Carlisle Railway CRP, which first opened in 1876 and then, thanks to plenty of local and national outrage, overcame near-closures back in the 60’s and 80’s.
Imagine the feat of engineering and brutally hard work as 6000 men worked across seven years to build the 72-mile long line, following natural pathways through the Pennines. Travel over the stunning Ribblehead viaduct, admire England’s highest mainline station at Dent (but be warned the village is a good four miles away), and look out for the statue of Ruswarp the dog on the platform of the remote Garsdale station before the train continues heading northwards to Carlisle.
You can take an hour-long round trip on the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway. Built in 1888, the route was formerly part of the Midland Railway line connecting Skipton, Ilkley and Addingham before it was closed in 1965.
With cafes at either end, a steam train providing plenty of nostalgia and lovely scenery to admire, it’s a great mini adventure. The railway also holds regular Dales dining evenings – everything from a curry express to fish and chip nights – for those keen to dine while they travel.
In Wensleydale you can take the heritage diesel train between Scruton and Leyburn (hopefully passenger services will begin this year to Redmire) on the Wensleydale Railway, part of the original route that would have gone from Garsdale to Northallerton. Stop off at Percys, a lovingly re-created Victorian tearoom at Scruton or Arthur’s Tea Room at Leyburn on-route.
Alternatively head to Kirkby Stephen East and step back in time as you wander round the collection of Victorian and other vintage locomotives, wagons and carriages, cared for by volunteers of Stainmore Railway Company. Open at Easter, there’s also a 1930s buffet car acting as a café which only adds to the charm of the place.
Words: Amanda Brown, photo: Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway and Thomas Jones
