Skipton to Ilkley (and v.v.) direct trains.

[19Gnasher69]

Due to today’s closure of the Shipley to Bradford Forster Square line, I’ve travelled this afternoon directly from Bingley to Ilkley and return.
I don’t recall seeing this routing before but may have just missed it.
When was the last time such a direct journey was possible via the Airedale and Wharfedale Lines?

 

[30907]

Makes good sense operationally. Must surely have happened before?

Otherwise only ECS workings.

 

[edwin_m]

When was the last time such a direct journey was possible via the Airedale and Wharfedale Lines?

Probably not what you were looking for, but Skipton and Ilkley were directly linked via Bolton Abbey until 1965.

 

[19Gnasher69]

Probably not what you were looking for, but Skipton and Ilkley were directly linked via Bolton Abbey until 1965.

Indeed. I travelled over a short section of that on Saturday’s railtour to Rylstone. And I wandered down Brook Street in Ilkley yesterday - there is no evidence that the railway ever crossed that road.
I have often wondered whether linking Skipton and Ilkley by direct trains would be a viable option, especially given the decline of Bradford as a destination from both the Airedale and Wharfedale Lines. My train yesterday was very lightly loaded but I guess that, as a one-off(?), it won’t have been publicised to any great extent.

 

[Paul1160]

Looking at a 1965 picture of Brook Street,Ilkley on the internet.The metal railway bridge would appear to have crossed Brook Street where the now closed bank is situated.

 

[Cakestall]

Looking at a 1965 picture of Brook Street,Ilkley on the internet.The metal railway bridge would appear to have crossed Brook Street where the now closed bank is situated.

Ilkley really went to town in removing all traces of the course of this route, which is understandable as the route divided the town centre to some extent. Embankments and bridges were removed and in Yewbank Terrace where it passed between the terraces the gap was filled with suitable terrace style properties. There are a couple of coping stones in the Beer Garden of the Bar t'at Pub. Suburban infilling then covered the route for a mile or so till it crossed the Skipton Road. On Google Maps satellite view most disused formations can easily be worked out from clues such as curved boundaries and new build etc, you really have to work hard to glean the course of this line. Should start a discussion on the most vanished or most expensive to reopening disused line.

 

[Tetchytyke]

It happens occasionally when there's engineering work, but only very occasionally.

It did happen during electrification- sort of- whilst Thackley Tunnel was closed. They diverted some Shipley-Leeds trains via Baildon, reversing at Guiseley.

 

[19Gnasher69]

Looking at a 1965 picture of Brook Street,Ilkley on the internet.The metal railway bridge would appear to have crossed Brook Street where the now closed bank is situated.

I think that it was probably just below that - where the pedestrian access to the car park is and the buildings alongside it (Jigsaw, Joules and Clarks). They’re clearly a later build than the other shops. Similarly on the opposite side, everything between Caffè Nero and Railway Road, looks to be of different construction to the adjacent buildings.
I suspect that, if you’re not of a certain age or have an interest in railways and/or local history, you’d never realise that Ilkley Station wasn’t built as a terminus.

 

[edwin_m]

I haven't been to Ilkley since the 80s, but at that time there were four platforms. I understand the two remaining are the original terminus, and the other two on the Railway Road side continued towards Skipton. The link below is the historic map.

Side by side georeferenced maps viewer - Map images - National Library of Scotland

maps.nls.uk

 

[Paul1160]

I think that it was probably just below that - where the pedestrian access to the car park is and the buildings alongside it (Jigsaw, Joules and Clarks). They’re clearly a later build than the other shops. Similarly on the opposite side, everything between Caffè Nero and Railway Road, looks to be of different construction to the adjacent buildings.
I suspect that, if you’re not of a certain age or have an interest in railways and/or local history, you’d never realise that Ilkley Station wasn’t built as a terminus.

Agree with you there.Some pictures on the internet of the now long gone platforms 3 and 4 for the Skipton trains.