Experience two historic journeys in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales! Skipton Boat Trips and Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway have joined together to create Rail and Sail – a wonderfully nostalgic day out. Access In 1982 there were plans to extend the line to Skipton, as a special DMU service was running at the time. [ citation needed] Because British Rail still used the section between the two stations for its operations to Swinden Quarry (this section of the old branch line to Grassington was and is still part of the rail network), plans were dropped, stating that operating as far as Skipton whilst sharing the line with the goods operation was too problematic. From the Bolton Abbey Station you can enjoy a walk to the priory , set in a spectacular setting. You can also access The Strid Wood , an area of ancient woodland with lots of wonderful wildlife; and The Strid a natural wonder, where the river suddenly narrows forcing the water through at great pressure.

For Bolton Abbey Station, turn right onto the A59 and follow this road (which runs alongside part of the railway) until the station is signposted as ‘Bolton Abbey Station’. A65, from Ilkley and Otley (The East): Follow the A65 until you reach the junction with the A59. Turn left and follow the brown tourist signs for ‘Embsay Steam Railway’ to get to Embsay Station.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Skipton platforms 5 & 6 (proposed). One of two long-term objectives (since 2000), the proposed northern terminus of the line to interchange with Northern train services on the nearby Airedale Line. The platforms at Skipton (5 & 6) that served the Ilkley route were made redundant in 1965. If this link were reinstated these platforms would require a rebuild as they have been disused for a very long time.

Bolton Abbey. Current terminus of the line. Facilities include booking office, waiting room, toilets, a souvenir shop and tearoom However, this line did not close (limestone trains from the quarry still use the line today) and so the society switched its attentions to restoring the old Midland Railway route which runs from Skipton, through Embsay, Bolton Abbey and Addingham to Ilkley, which closed in 1965. There are plans to rebuild one of the bridge abutments at the end of the surviving embankment to the north as part of the Addingham Project which also involves constructing a replica LMS style station, goods yard and depot on the extra land next to and at the edge of the embankment.For Bolton Abbey Station, continue along the A59 towards Harrogate, and alongside part of the railway, until ‘Bolton Abbey Station’ is signposted.

The railway has helped and supported the surrounding area (and local economy) to regenerate and provide brand new attractions, boosting both trade and tourism. Taking the line to Addingham and re-opening Addingham is often mentioned as a potential project but the line's owners have stated that they intend to consolidate the current route instead. [4] Embsay. Re-opened in 1981, restored to its former LMS condition. The current terminus of the line. Facilities include booking office, waiting room, toilets and souvenir shop.N 1°53′02″W / 53.9443°N 1.8840°W / 53.9443; -1.8840 ( Addingham Station (Closed) Proposed extension) By 1987 further extensions brought the line to a newly constructed halt at Holywell and later to Stoneacre Loop. Bolton Abbey railway station finally reopened in 1998, bringing the current total of over 4 miles in length. The line runs through the countryside of the Yorkshire Dales in the county council area of North Yorkshire. These would be over the main road from the now defunct former station and goods depot. Funds would need to be collected for 10 to 15 years before any project of this extent could be realised. This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( March 2016) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)

A65, from the M6 (The West): Follow the A65 towards Skipton, and follow the brown signs for ‘Embsay Steam Railway’ to get to Embsay Station (this will involve turning left onto the A59).

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Car parking spaces are reserved close to both station buildings for ease of access. There are wheelchair-accessible toilets at both Embsay and Bolton Abbey stations. The Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway is a volunteer-run, preserved Heritage Railway which does not receive any grants or subsidies towards running. Our organisation was initially set up with the intention to preserve the adjacent railway line which runs to Swinden Quarry, near Grassington. This is the line that was built by the Yorkshire Dales Railway Company. Stoneacre. Former run-round loop en route along the line, now used as a passing loop for use during two train operation.