Any future use for the former NER Garforth to Castleford line?

[Xenophon PCDGS]

There were three stations on that line, Kippax, Bowers, Ledston. Would reintroduction of a rail service be of use to the area concerned.?

 

[L+Y]

Having some familiarity with the area, I'd say probably not- though Allerton Bywater has grown notably. Certain for Kippax, the station location means it's probably as quick to drive to Garforth for the majority of Kippax residents.

Had the line stayed open, I'm sure it would be reasonably well used now, but I don't think it has a strong reopening case.

 

[YorksLad12]

From memory (and a look at Google Maps) is not the straightest route between the two points, it looks as if parts of it have been built over in Garforth and Allerton Bywater, and there's probably mineworkings to consider as well. But it might be a Mass Transit candidate in the future - who knows?

 

[billio]

It's a nice footpath. The descent from Garforth in a cutting is surprisingly steep and then a steep-sided embankment near Kippax.. The viaduct over the Aire at Castleford is in rather bad condition, it would probably need a complete rebuild.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

We can't even get a passenger service from Casvegas to York over a railway that already exists, so the idea of reopening a closed line which also bypasses the regional centre is fanciful at best.

 

[Bantamzen]

We can't even get a passenger service from Casvegas to York over a railway that already exists, so the idea of reopening a closed line which also bypasses the regional centre is fanciful at best.

Perhaps in some dark, distant, and with all probability alternative reality this alignment might one day form part of a West Yorkshire Metrolink tram network. But by then I'll have probably won the Euro millions....

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Perhaps in some dark, distant, and with all probability alternative reality this alignment might one day form part of a West Yorkshire Metrolink tram network. But by then I'll have probably won the Euro millions....

Even then, it's highly unlikely. Manchester's tram network is 30 years old now, and only now is there vague talk of an "orbital" type line that avoids Manchester city centre altogether.

If there was a load of freight heading to a Trafford Park type terminal near Micklefield, there'd be a case for this route as a freight avoiding line to free up paths for passenger services through Leeds itself. Any other use case is wishful thinking of almost SELRAP levels.