The Railways Of Wharfedale
- Railways of Wharfedale
- A few miles north of Leeds lies the Vale of the Wharfe, scene of a once thriving railway system - The Otley & Ilkley joint line and its extensions. These dale railways were operated by two companies, the Midland with headquarters at Derby, and the North Eastern whose capital was York. Empire builders of repute, each had been wary, in the years preceding construction of the joint line, of the other's intentions; for nearly two decades their 'spheres of influence' had overlapped into Wharfedale and , rather than permit a confrontation of rival rails, they followed discrection and left the dale severely alone.
- Eventually the appearance of a local railway scheme resulted in York and Derby agreeing - in an unaccustomed atmosphere of tact and good sense - that such a line should be built as a joint venture. It was opened in 1865 with what was perhaps the first Midland slip coach service. Following extensions to the original line, to Skipton, Yeadon and Grassington, there was a steady increase in traffic between the dale and the cities of Leeds and Bradford. Through coach services, excursions, and special workings were introduced, and Wharfedale was frequently host to the royal train. Latterly, however, as in so many similar cases, a gradual pruning has reduced the system to a fraction of that provided by our Victorian forefathers.
- Based on considerable research into much hitherto unpublished material and with 24 pages of photographs, 12 appendicies and 8 maps, this book attempted to capture the history and personality of the railways of Wharfedale.
- 272 pages, 1969, Case bound, 5¾" x 8¾"
- David & Charles Publications
- ISBN-10 0715347055
- ISBN-13 9780715347058
- Pre-Owned, some cover wear, tear and edge rubbing, price clipped
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Railway Line & Region Histories
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