Cross Gates–Wetherby line

The Cross Gates–Wetherby line is a former railway line in West Yorkshire, England, between Cross gates, near Leeds, and Wetherby. The line opened 1876 and closed 1964.

Cross Gates–Wetherby line
Overview
StatusClosed
LocaleWest Yorkshire
Termini
  • Cross Gates North Junction
  • Wetherby East Junction
Stations6
Service
TypeHeavy rail
Operator(s)North Eastern Railway to 1923, London and North Eastern Railway 1923-1948, British Railways (N.E region) 1948 to closure
History
Opened1 May 1876
Closed6 January 1964 (Passengers),
4 April 1966 (Goods)
Technical
Line length12 mi (19 km)
Number of tracksdouble
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Highest elevation371 ft (113 m)
Route map

Wetherby (Linton Road)
Collingham Bridge
Bardsey
Thorner
Scholes
Penda's Way

History and description

Construction began in 1871, with the work contracted to Thomas Nelson of Carlisle. Works on the line included over a dozen cuttings, and a similar number of embankments, with the cutting between Thorner and Scarcroft being 40 feet (12 m) deep with a volume of 1,370,000 cubic yards (1,050,000 m3); the largest bridge on the line was over the River Wharfe with twin spans of 120 feet (37 m) with a central pier of two cast iron columns.[1]

The line ran from Cross Gates East Junction east of Cross Gates railway station on the Leeds and Selby Railway,[2] to Wetherby (Linton Road) railway station, then connecting at a junction (later East junction) on the Harrogate to Church Fenton Line at west of Wetherby (York Road) railway station.

The 12 miles (19 km) from Cross Gates to Wetherby took four years to construct and it was opened on 1 May 1876.[3] The line was doubled in 1901 and a new south-west curve was built at Wetherby;[4] running from West junction to North junction, forming a wye junction north and west of both the Wetherby stations.[5]

The line closed to passengers on 6 January 1964.

Stations

References

  1. "The New Line between Leeds and Wetherby" (PDF), Engineering, 14: 206, 20 September 1872
  2. "The Leeds and Selby Railway", www.lner.info, Cross Gates
  3. Bertram, D. (February 1961), "The lines to Wetherby and their traffic", Trains Illustrated: 99–106
  4. Rogers, J (2000), The railways of Harrogate and district, North East Railway Association
  5. Ordnance Survey Sheet 172SW 1907
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