Wensleydale Railway
The Wensleydale Railway is a 22-mile standard-gauge heritage railway in the Yorkshire Dales, running through Wensleydale between Leeming Bar and Redmire, with intermediate stations at Bedale, Finghall, and Leyburn. The line is the surviving portion of the former NER Wensleydale branch from Northallerton to Hawes (with a junction at Garsdale onto the Settle & Carlisle).
The line is unusual in being a working community railway as much as a heritage operation, with services aimed substantially at local Dales communities as well as tourist visitors. The line had a particular purpose during the early 2000s as a Ministry of Defence freight line (serving Catterick Garrison via the Leeming Bar end), and the heritage operation has retained the connection to Network Rail at Northallerton.
History
The Wensleydale Railway preservation society was formed in 1990, but acquisition was complicated by the line's continued use for MoD freight (stone traffic from Redmire quarry to Catterick Garrison). The Wensleydale Railway plc finally took over operation in 2003, by which point the freight had ended. Services have run continuously since 2003. The line's long-term ambition is to extend westward to Aysgarth and ultimately to Hawes, and eastward to a Network Rail-connection at Northallerton.
Original line history
The Wensleydale branch of the NER was opened progressively from 1848 (Leeming Bar) to 1878 (Hawes), providing a cross-Pennine secondary route via the Settle & Carlisle junction at Garsdale. Passenger services were withdrawn in 1954, but freight (chiefly stone from Redmire) continued until 1990.
Stations and infrastructure
Leeming Bar is the eastern terminus and headquarters. Leyburn is the principal intermediate Dales market town. Redmire is the western terminus and the trailhead for Castle Bolton.
Route and stations
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Special events and operations
Events include 1940s weekends, beer festivals, themed steam galas, and Santa Specials. The line is well-known to walkers as it provides good access to walking routes in the Yorkshire Dales.
Visitor information
Leeming Bar is on the A684 close to the A1(M) at Junction 51. The nearest Network Rail station is Northallerton (5 miles).