Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway Updates

Any news on Illingworth last I heard it was close to a trial steaming?

 

It ran for three days last weekend at the branchline weekend non gala on Bow Bridge shuttles.

 

Excellent news all credit to Charles Adams, John Furness, Mark Tweedy and Bryn engineering for getting there in the end. I look forward to seeing it later in the year on paper it should be a cracker.

 

Doesn't Stephen Middleton figure anywhere in all this?

 

Apologies in my excitement I forgot to mention Mr Middleton.

 

Oh for a railway in Nidderdale!

Sawdust.

 

If you are referring to the Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme, and stating that a "donation" is a requirement for admission, rather than a free will donation, then it is a payment for services and thus ineligible for claim. GASDS has other limitations that are worth being aware of - I write as a Gift Aid administrator.

 

Sorry, you are quite right - should have thought of that!

 

Saw on the Worth Valley's facebook that Taff Vale 85 is visiting Embsay for the Santa Special season. Does anyone know what days she'll be in service during her visit? Hoping to make a trip up to see it. Thanks!

 

e

every Santa day I would have thought. Please note that the event itself is Pre-booked tickets only thought.

 

That's not a problem photography is free...

 

Here she is arriving at Embsay with the first of the 2017 Santa services from Bolton Abbey.

 

What's happening with Illingworth? As mentioned above, it ran in May but doesn't seem to have worked since then.

 

We took the grandchildren to see Santa on the Embsay railway, and I was surprised and delighted to see TVR 85 in action. No photos unfortunately.

The railway was busier than I have ever seen it. Shows the importance of these events.

The boys enjoyed it. Plenty of characters passing through the train to keep them entertained. Well done Embsay.

 

How are you currently progressing on the platform 2 at Bolton Abbey?
What's the current state of the other projects, e.g. finishing the Bolton Abbey improvement sceme, the carriage shed appeal, wheldale appeal and the Skipton extension?
Haven't heard much from them in the last months/years...
Thank you in advance for clearifying my question.

 

You might find some answers via either of the below methods

- http://www.embsayboltonabbeyrailway.org.uk/contact-us/e-mail-newsletter
- http://www.embsayboltonabbeyrailway.org.uk/aboutus/membership

 

The facings for platform 2 at Bolton Abbey are in place.

 

Regarding the development of Bolton Abbey station, the platform walls are complete up to and including oversail blocks. All that remains is backfill and then copings/surface material.

We have recently acquired a suitable footbridge for Bolton Abbey and, before backfilling, foundations will be created for the Platform 2/3 end of the bridge.

The appeal is still open and our visitors and passengers continue to support it.

Wheldale continues to sit whilst funds are raised for the major overhaul of the locomotive. A very active team of fundraisers give this their full attention and are very successful. I would expect work to start in 2018 with a full assessment and start on stripping the locomotive down.

We recently (early 2017) had a 40m extension built on the carriage shed at Embsay to accommodate more Mark Is in support of a major refurbishment programme that is ongoing. The aim is to ultimately provide cover for all the Mark I fleet so that time between major bodywork repairs can be lengthened.

Regarding Skipton, we have made progress along the Governance for Railway Investment Projects (GRIP) route but the major hurdle to overcome is funding. Incidently, the stages in GRIP are

1. Output definition
2. Feasibility
3. Option selection
4. Single option development
5. Detailed design
6. Construction test and commission
7. Scheme hand back
8. Project close out

and we are at 2/3 just now but stalled for want of funds to move on.

 

Cant help but feel that as there is no mention of the Skipton aspiration or an appeal to support it on the current website/ literature stalled is 'optimistic'
language.
Its a big if, but if the line to Colne reopens with a potential increase in Skiptons visitor numbers from the M65 corridor, there may well be a restructuring at Skipton station including additional lines and a third platform which might help to realise, or could easily compromise, any future plans for the E&BAR.

 

4 platforms at Skipton already and the Rylstone branch is on the old P4 which would become P5
P1 - South end bay
P2-4 through platforms.
P5 - Rylstone.