Wensleydale Railway - Photo Archive


December 2023
Photographs
During December lots of work has been going on on the railway both in running the Polar Express trains and also by our Engineering Maintenance, Vegetation and Infrastructure teams. This month we have:
1. The new Crakehall Level Crossing Gates have won a national award.
2. Various photos of the Polar Express.
3. The post Christmas Diesel and Steam specials.
4. Pacers at Bedale.
5. Views at Bedale.
6. Restoration of the railway crane is continuing.
7. Restoration of the Wickham Trolley is continuing and is now nearly complete.
8. The class 14 diesel loco D9513, alias NCB's no.38 is undergoing maintenance.
9. Work by the Infrastructure teams.
10. Work by the Vegetation team.
For more photos of the continuing restoration of the Wickham Trolley see here and here.
For more photos of the continuing restoration of the railway crane see here, here, here and here.
For more photos of the replacement Crakehall level crossing gates see here and here.

Ref - 12612
Photo - Unknown Photographer
Bob Coombs on behalf of the railway has been awarded 'The Hendy & Pendle Trust Volunteers Award' at the National Railway Heritage Awards Ceremony for his superb work on the replacement level crossing gates at Crakehall. (06/12/2023)
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Ref - 12612
Photo - Unknown Photographer
Bob Coombs on behalf of the railway has been awarded 'The Hendy & Pendle Trust Volunteers Award' at the National Railway Heritage Awards Ceremony for his superb work on the replacement level crossing gates at Crakehall. (06/12/2023)
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Ref - 12698
Photo - Timothy Edwards
'The Hendy & Pendle Trust Volunteers Award' which was awarded to the railway at the National Railway Heritage Awards Ceremony in December for Bob Coombs' superb work on the replacement level crossing gates at Crakehall. (12/12/2023)
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Ref - 12613
Photo - Timothy Edwards
The Bedale Station Support Team and visitors enjoying their mid morning break. (12/12/2023)
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Ref - 12614
Photo - Neil Simpson
Black 5 45407 Lancashire Fusilier hauling the Polar Express in early December in a wintry landscape (--/12/2023)
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Ref - 12615
Photo - Neil Simpson
47 701 on the Polar Express in early December in a wintry landscape (--/12/2023)
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Ref - 12616
Photo - Anne Graham
The Black 5 Polar Express running through Finghall station on Weds 13th December 2023. (13/12/2023)
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Ref - 12617
Photo - Timothy Edwards
The entrance to the Polar Express train Ride with Leeming Bar station House in the background (19/12/2023)
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Ref - 12618
Photo - Timothy Edwards
The Polar Express in Leeming Bar platform on a dismal non-running day (12/12/2023)
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Ref - 12619
Photo - Timothy Edwards
The Polar Express in Leeming Bar platform on a dismal non-running day (12/12/2023)
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Ref - 12620
Photo - Timothy Edwards
Black 5 45407 Lancashire Fusilier in Leeming Bar yard having a rest between Polar Express running days (19/12/2023)
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Ref - 12621
Photo - Timothy Edwards
Black 5 45407 Lancashire Fusilier in Leeming Bar yard having a rest between Polar Express running days (19/12/2023)
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Ref - 12622
Photo - Timothy Edwards
The pile of coal in Leeming Bar yard is now very much reduced as the Polar Express season nears its end (19/12/2023)
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Ref - 12623
Photo - John Slaughter
47 701 heading a Polar Express to The North Pole over Bedale Crossing at dusk. (22/12/2023)
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Ref - 12624
Photo - John Slaughter
47 701 heading a Polar Express to The North Pole onto Bedale Crossing after dark. (22/12/2023)
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Ref - 12625
Photo - John Slaughter
47 701 heading a train to Leyburn over Bedale Crossing on the first day of operations after Christmas. (28/12/2023)
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Ref - 12626
Photo - Andy Glendinning
Second day of post Christmas steam as 45407 approaches Leyburn in not very pleasant weather. (30/12/2023)
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Ref - 12627
Photo - Andy Glendinning
45407 arrives at Leyburn. (30/12/2023)
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Ref - 12628
Photo - Andy Glendinning
45407 waits in the siding at Leeming Bar to return to its coaches to form the second working of the day. (30/12/2023)
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Ref - 12629
Photo - Andy Glendinning
47701 was used the release 45407 from its train and stands in the platform at Leeming Bar being uncoupled from the coaches. (30/12/2023)
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Ref - 12630
Photo - Mike Averis
Mike Averis & Dave Fielding of the Direct Works Team have created a safer path using a wood border and chippings for Crakehall crossing keepers to access the new gates. This is the 'before' view. (05/12/2023)
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Ref - 12631
Photo - Mike Averis
Mike Averis & Dave Fielding of the Direct Works Team have created a safer path using a wood border and chippings for Crakehall crossing keepers to access the new gates. This is the 'after' view. (05/12/2023)
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Ref - 12632
Photo - John Slaughter
Ex-sleeping car from Leeming Bar Station parked on the siding west of Bedale Crossing. (09/12/2023)
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Ref - 12633
Photo - John Slaughter
Pacers 142 018 & 142 035 parked in the siding west of Bedale Crossing. (09/12/2023)
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Ref - 12634
Photo - John Slaughter
Pacers 142 018 (right hand side) & 142 035 parked in the siding west of Bedale Crossing. (09/12/2023)
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Ref - 12635
Photo - John Slaughter
Pacers 142 035 & 142 018 parked in the siding west of Bedale Crossing. (09/12/2023)
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Ref - 12636
Photo - John Slaughter
Pacers 142 035 & 142 018 parked in the siding west of Bedale Crossing. (09/12/2023)
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Ref - 12637
Photo - John Slaughter
Bedale signal box in the fading light. (09/12/2023)
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Ref - 12638
Photo - John Slaughter
Evening sky over Bedale, seen from the balcony of Bedale Signal Box. (22/12/2023)
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Ref - 12670
Photo - Neil Guest
Railway Crane Restoration - Painting of the crane body in progress (05/12/2023)
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Ref - 12672
Photo - Neil Guest
Railway Crane Restoration - Painting of the crane body in progress (05/12/2023)
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Ref - 12674
Photo - Neil Guest
Railway Crane Restoration - Painting of the crane body in progress (05/12/2023)
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Ref - 12675
Photo - Neil Guest
Railway Crane Restoration - Painting of the crane body in progress (05/12/2023)
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Ref - 12682
Photo - Dave Fielding
Railway Crane Restoration - Degreasing the rear buffer bean and painting the crane's rear body (12/12/2023)
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Ref - 12683
Photo - Dave Fielding
Railway Crane Restoration - Degreasing the front buffer beam (12/12/2023)
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Ref - 12684
Photo - Dave Fielding
Railway Crane Restoration - Working inside the cab of the crane (12/12/2023)
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Ref - 12685
Photo - Dave Fielding
Railway Crane Restoration - Painting a crane side panel (12/12/2023)
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Ref - 12694
Photo - Dave Fielding
Railway Crane Restoration - The large area to the left on the rear buffer beam has been steam cleaned (19/12/2023)
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Ref - 12695
Photo - Dave Fielding
Railway Crane Restoration - Steam cleaning on the Crane's rear buffer beam (19/12/2023)
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Ref - 12699
Photo - Timothy Edwards
Installation of the wiring in the restored Wickham Trolley (05/12/2023)
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Ref - 12700
Photo - Timothy Edwards
Installation of the wiring in the restored Wickham Trolley (12/12/2023)
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Ref - 12701
Photo - Timothy Edwards
Installation of the wiring in the restored Wickham Trolley (12/12/2023)
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Ref - 12702
Photo - Timothy Edwards
Installation of the wiring going down to the control panel in the restored Wickham Trolley (12/12/2023)
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Ref - 12703
Photo - Timothy Edwards
The Wickham trolley looking pretty good (12/12/2023)
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Ref - 12704
Photo - Timothy Edwards
The Wickham Trolley now has a roof (19/12/2023)
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Ref - 12705
Photo - Timothy Edwards
The Wickham Trolley now has a roof (19/12/2023)
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Ref - 12639
Photo - Timothy Edwards
Some steps for use with the Polar Express being worked on (05/12/2023)
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Ref - 12640
Photo - Timothy Edwards
A view through the windows of the class 14 diesel loco D9513, alias NCB's no.38. (12/12/2023)
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Ref - 12641
Photo - Timothy Edwards
The class 14 diesel loco D9513, alias NCB's no.38. in our maintenance workshop for some repair work (12/12/2023)
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Ref - 12642
Photo - Timothy Edwards
The class 14 diesel loco D9513, alias NCB's no.38. in our maintenance workshop for some repair work (12/12/2023)
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Ref - 12643
Photo - Timothy Edwards
The class 14 diesel loco D9513, alias NCB's no.38. in our maintenance workshop for some repair work (12/12/2023)
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Ref - 12644
Photo - Timothy Edwards
The class 14 diesel loco D9513, alias NCB's no.38. in our maintenance workshop for some repair work (12/12/2023)
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Ref - 12645
Photo - Michael Metcalfe
A 2 day work party started with building materials delivered to Wilkinson's crossing and loaded onto trollies for use in building the sleeper wall. (04/12/2023)
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Ref - 12646
Photo - Michael Metcalfe
Unfortunately slow persistent rain the day before produced a flooding issue which prevented any further post drilling today. 20 posts were fitted the day before during the drizzle. (05/12/2023)
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Ref - 12647
Photo - Andy Glendinning
Cutting between Bridge 28 A684 and Bridge 29 Ord and Maddison west of Leyburn. The north side of the track here has already had the excess spoil washed down from the slope removed in readiness to install a sleeper retaining wall and drainage pipe.
After snow melt and heavy rain the pipe on the south side was overwhelmed and water took the path of least resistance and flowed down the south cess and here on the north side which has been further dug out to channel it away. (05/12/2023)Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 12648
Photo - Michael Metcalfe
The ditch on the right was opened up to take the water away past B29. (05/12/2023)
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Ref - 12649
Photo - Michael Metcalfe
A mid afternoon shot of the flood which will take a few days to soak away. (05/12/2023)
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Ref - 12650
Photo - Andy Glendinning
Bridge 28 to Bridge 29. Recovering redundant sleepers to form the north side retaining wall. Flooding both sides still evident. (05/12/2023)
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Ref - 12651
Photo - Andy Glendinning
Bridge 28. Positioning sleepers behind the concrete posts installed the previous day to form the retaining wall. At the start of the day this area was completely flooded but fortunately it dried out during the day.
We had hoped to bore more holes and install further posts but with the ground under water this wasn't possible. (05/12/2023)Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 12652
Photo - Michael Metcalfe
Old sleepers were gathered up and placed behind the newly fitted support posts. (05/12/2023)
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Ref - 12653
Photo - Michael Metcalfe
The final view of the new sleeper wall progress at the end of the 2 day job. (05/12/2023)
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Ref - 12654
Photo - Andy Glendinning
It's a long trundle back at walking pace from Bridge 28 in the background to Wilkinsons User Worked Crossing to return the hired in plant to the supplier.
Mini digger with auger for hole drilling, one of our B trolleys for kit, second mini digger with bucket for spoil removal, sleeper and log movements and bringing up the rear dumper for spoil removal, sleeper and log movements. (05/12/2023)Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 12655
Photo - Andy Waite
Stoop House Bridge.An historic stone-built retaining wall had collapsed down the bank as its foundations had been undermined.
A new sleeper wall has been installed to keep the ballast in place. (13/12/2023)Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 12656
Photo - Andy Waite
Digging out to jack and pack a section of track. (13/12/2023)
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Ref - 12657
Photo - Michael Metcalfe
Another day when the floods had subsided and another 20+ posts were fitted. (18/12/2023)
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Ref - 12658
Photo - Andy Waite
Section of track jacked and packed to remove a dip. (18/12/2023)
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Ref - 12659
Photo - Andy Waite
Between Scroggs 1 and Scroggs 2 User Worked Crossings. A couple of displaced sleepers which prevent ballast falling into the concrete U tube drainage channel returned to their rightful positions after being recovered from the U tube. (20/12/2023)
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Ref - 12660
Photo - Alan Graham
The veg team chainsaw operatives receiving new helmets donated by the 250 club at Finghall on 13th December 23. (13/12/2023)
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Ref - 12661
Photo - Alan Graham
The veg team buffet at Finghall station , Weds 13h December 23. (13/12/2023)
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Ref - 12662
Photo - Steve Hall
During December the veg team were working between Bridge 28 and 29 (near Leyburn cemetery beneath the Shawl. In this image the team are clearing trees growing too close to the track, and steep embankments made this an awkward job. This tree is about to come down. (20/12/2023)
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Ref - 12663
Photo - Steve Hall
This tree has just been felled and the vegetation team are about to set on with clearing up. (20/12/2023)
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Ref - 12664
Photo - Steve Hall
The vegetation team dealing with a felled tree which had been overgrowing the line. (20/12/2023)
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Ref - 12665
Photo - Steve Hall
All clear. The tree remains have been tidied up and removed. Before the arrival of the veg team, both sides of this cutting west of Leyburn were packed with dense impenetrable undergrowth. Not any more. The bridge in the distance is carrying the A684 up Wensleydale. (20/12/2023)
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Ref - 12666
Photo - Alan Graham
You can't see the tracks but the sun is illuminating the railway through a hole in the clouds which appeared just as the veg team were packing up at 3pm at end of shift on the 20th December. The sun only appeared for a few seconds at the end of a miserably cold dull day. (20/12/2023)
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Ref - 12667
Photo - Steve Hall
One from the archives. The vegetation team having lunch about 6 years ago. You can see where they've been clearing the L/H embankment and although the location isn't stated it looks like it could be between Stoop House and Constable Burton. (15/11/2017)
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Ref - 12668
Photo - Bill Briggs
Primrose crossing at Newton-Le-Willows as it was at the arrival of the vegetation team on 27th December. The team ended up getting as wet as the inside of the four foot whilst diverting the water and improving the drainage.
This UWC is due to be relaid and new drainage installed in the near future. (27/12/2023)Click here to see higher resolution photo
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