Embsay Railway Station

Not to worry, chaps. While this locomotive may look to be chugging along backward, such is the procedure on a four-mile heritage railroad loop! Closed to regular service by British Railways in 1965, this station and the line it serves now have a new life as a one-way ride back to the past.

Constructed in the northern hills of England in 1881, Embsay Railway station joined the vast network of the Midland Railway, one of Britain’s most distinguished railroad companies at the time. Built of stone and simple exterior decorations, the building would go on to stand witness to 77 years of train timetables. 

Once the station and its line were closed by the National Rail Service in 1965, the location sat vacant for 15 years. Seeing a piece of history–and a possible tourist venture–sitting idle, a group of local volunteers acted to restore the station and a small stretch of track to the nearby terminus at Bolton Abbey.  Gaining heritage status as the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway, the community-driven railroad now has been the culprit behind many steam plumes in the Northern Yorkshire area. 

In 2008, the signal box at Embsay (dating back to 1892) was installed to add some further character to the station. One could argue that it’s also a great spot to view steam engines and carriages rolling back and forth on the historic tracks.

With trains from Embsay station offering themed holiday rides, dinners in “first class,” afternoon teas, and even weddings, it’s a great spot to spring forward into one’s week.