Wensleydale Railway Rail Link Photos

Wensleydale Railway - Photo Archive

September 2025

Photographs

During September lots of things has been going on on the railway. On this page we have:
1. Loco and DMUs on the line.
2. The fireplace at Finghall has been rebuilt.
3. The fencing around the platform extension at Leeming Bar has been painted.
4. Leeming Bar Goods Shed has been partially emptied and a concrete floor/plinth laid to allow a mezzanine floor to be installed.
5. A level crossing gate has been replaced at Ainderby by the Direct Works Team.
6. Blind Lane crossing at Aiskew has been improved with better sighting and fencing.
7. The signalling lever frame at Scruton now has all eight levers installed.
8. The rebuilding of Constable Burton (ex Hertford East) signal box is nearly complete, the next stage being the lever frame.
9. Mk2 coaches 9417 and W5337 have been repaired and repainted for Polar Express.
10. Mk 2 coach E5279 is in the progress on being repaired and repainted.
11. The Infrastructure Team have installed a cross drain near Wensley.
12. More work by the Vegetation Team.

For more photos of the restoration/installation of the lever frame at Scruton see here and here

For more photos of the repairs and painting of the M2 coach No.9417 see here
For coach No.W5337 see here
For coach No.E5279 see here

For more photos of Constable Burton signal box see here

Ref - 16267

Photo - Alan Graham
The first train of the day passes through Blind Lane (Aiskew). (10/09/2025)
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Ref - 16267

Photo - Alan Graham
The first train of the day passes through Blind Lane (Aiskew). (10/09/2025)
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Ref - 16268

Photo - Alan Graham
The second train of the day passing through Blind Lane (Aiskew). (10/09/2025)
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Ref - 16275

Photo - Alan Graham
A pacer train passing through Spruce Ghyll; the first train of the day on 10th September, heading for Leyburn. (10/09/2025)
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Ref - 16323

Photo - Timothy Edwards
Loco 33035 sitting in the sun in Leeming Bar yard (09/09/2025)
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Ref - 16324

Photo - Timothy Edwards
The class 121 'bubblecar' sitting in the sun at Leeming Bar (16/09/2025)
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Ref - 16325

Photo - Timothy Edwards
Loco 47714 looking very nice sitting in the sun at Leeming Bar (23/09/2025)
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Ref - 16326

Photo - Timothy Edwards
ex NCB class 14 'teddybear' diesel loco D9513, alias NCB's no.38 sitting beside Leeming Bar signal box (23/09/2025)
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Ref - 16272

Photo - Alan Graham
View from the lineside looking north from Spruce Ghyll on a mild and sunny September morning. This is the view our passengers can see from the train. (24/09/2025)
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Ref - 16219

Photo - Dave Fielding
Dave Fielding has rebuilt the fire bricks here (at Finghall) so it should be safer and more efficient. (10/09/2025)
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Ref - 16218

Photo - John Hodgson
A flash back to 2012 when the Olympic Torch came to Aysgarth station site (20/06/2012)
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Ref - 16220

Photo - Dave Fielding
The Direct Works Team painting the fencing around the new platform extension at Leeming Bar (09/09/2025)
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Ref - 16221

Photo - Dave Fielding
The Direct Works Team have painted the fencing around the new platform extension at Leeming Bar (09/09/2025)
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Ref - 16222

Photo - Dave Fielding
The Direct Works Team painting the fencing around the new platform extension at Leeming Bar (09/09/2025)
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Ref - 16223

Photo - Dave Fielding
The Direct Works Team have been clearing out the left (west end) section of the old Goods Shed at Leeming Bar to enable a proper workshop and mezzanine floor to be installed. Much of the stuff was put into an old coach during the work. (16/09/2025)
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Ref - 16224

Photo - Dave Fielding
The Direct Works Team have been clearing out the left (west end) section of the old Goods Shed at Leeming Bar to enable a proper workshop and mezzanine floor to be installed. Much of the stuff was put into an old coach during the work. (16/09/2025)
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Ref - 16225

Photo - Dave Fielding
The Direct Works Team have been clearing out the left (west end) section of the old Goods Shed at Leeming Bar to enable a proper workshop and mezzanine floor to be installed. Much of the stuff was put into an old coach during the work. (16/09/2025)
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Ref - 16226

Photo - Dave Fielding
The Direct Works Team have been clearing out the left (west end) section of the old Goods Shed at Leeming Bar to enable a proper workshop and mezzanine floor to be installed. Much of the stuff was put into an old coach during the work. (16/09/2025)
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Ref - 16227

Photo - Dave Fielding
A lot of the stuff from the old Leeming Bar Goods Shed was put into an old coach for temporary storage whilst a mezzanine Floor was installed in the Goods Shed. (16/09/2025)
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Ref - 16230

Photo - Timothy Edwards
The old coach which was being used as a temporary store, whilst Leeming Bar Goods Shed, was partially cleared to install a mezzanine floor (16/09/2025)
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Ref - 16235

Photo - Timothy Edwards
A new level concrete slab floor has been installed by contractors in the Leeming Bar Goods shed, in readiness for the mezzanine floor being installed. The new mezzanine floor will only be secured to the floor - not to the Goods Shed walls. (23/09/2025)
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Ref - 16236

Photo - Timothy Edwards
A new level concrete slab floor has been installed by contractors in the Leeming Bar Goods shed, in readiness for the mezzanine floor being installed. The new mezzanine floor will only be secured to the floor - not to the Goods Shed walls. (23/09/2025)
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Ref - 16286

Photo - Dave Fielding
The Direct Works Team replacing one of the level crossing gates at Ainderby (Morton on Swale) - The Replacement LC Gate being worked on (30/09/2025)
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Ref - 16287

Photo - Dave Fielding
The Direct Works Team replacing one of the level crossing gates at Ainderby (Morton on Swale) - Dismantling the Old LC Gate (30/09/2025)
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Ref - 16288

Photo - Dave Fielding
The Direct Works Team replacing one of the level crossing gates at Ainderby (Morton on Swale) - Dismantling the Old LC Gate (30/09/2025)
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Ref - 16289

Photo - Dave Fielding
The Direct Works Team replacing one of the level crossing gates at Ainderby (Morton on Swale) - LC Gate being moved into place (30/09/2025)
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Ref - 16290

Photo - Dave Fielding
The Direct Works Team replacing one of the level crossing gates at Ainderby (Morton on Swale) - New LC Gate being worked on (30/09/2025)
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Ref - 16291

Photo - Dave Fielding
The Direct Works Team replacing one of the level crossing gates at Ainderby (Morton on Swale) - New LC Gate being worked on (30/09/2025)
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Ref - 16292

Photo - Dave Fielding
The Direct Works Team replacing one of the level crossing gates at Ainderby (Morton on Swale) - New LC Gate being positioned (30/09/2025)
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Ref - 16293

Photo - Dave Fielding
The Direct Works Team replacing one of the level crossing gates at Ainderby (Morton on Swale) - New LC Gate in position (30/09/2025)
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Ref - 16294

Photo - Dave Fielding
The Direct Works Team replacing one of the level crossing gates at Ainderby (Morton on Swale) - New LC Gate in position (30/09/2025)
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Ref - 16265

Photo - Alan Graham
This is Blind Lane crossing near Aiskew. This was recently amongst green fields but the area is now subject to expanding housing development. In this "before" picture taken on 3rd September there is limited visibility and a rotten tree. Contrast with next image. (03/09/2025)
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Ref - 16266

Photo - Alan Graham
Spot the differences in this same view at Blind Lane crossing near Aiskew just seven days later. Earth has been removed on both sides to allow greater crossing visibility and the decayed tree on the right has been removed by the veg team. There are several other differences too. (10/09/2025)
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Ref - 16269

Photo - Alan Graham
Veg team PICOW John Thompson checks for the return time as the second train of the day makes its way past Blind Lane crossing towards Leeming. (10/09/2025)
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Ref - 16278

Photo - Richard Kirk
Blind Lane User Worked Crossing just east of Bedale. A before photo looking west towards Bedale. Improvement works about to start. The existing crossing gate is further to the left. The post illustrates approximately where the gates will be repositioned to. (15/09/2025)
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Ref - 16279

Photo - Richard Kirk
Blind Lane User Worked Crossing just east of Bedale. A before photo looking east towards Leeming Bar. Improvement works about to start. The existing crossing gate is further to the right. The post illustrates approximately where the gates will be repositioned to. (15/09/2025)
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Ref - 16280

Photo - Richard Kirk
Blind Lane User Worked Crossing just east of Bedale.
Digger reshaping the bank to improve visibility for users of the crossing. The existing crossing gates are being removed and reused in a better position closer to the line. (15/09/2025)
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Ref - 16281

Photo - Richard Kirk
Blind Lane User Worked Crossing just east of Bedale.
Reshaped to improve visibility for users of the crossing. (15/09/2025)
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Ref - 16282

Photo - Richard Kirk
Blind Lane User Worked Crossing just east of Bedale.
Reshaped lineside to improve visibility for users of the crossing. The existing crossing gates are being removed and reused in a better position closer to the line. (15/09/2025)
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Ref - 16270

Photo - Alan Graham
Looking west from Blind Lane crossing towards Bedale where earth has been removed on both sides to allow greater visibility for crossing users. The veg team were subsequently tasked with removing excess greenery on the left (see next image). (17/09/2025)
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Ref - 16271

Photo - Alan Graham
The same view looking west from Blind Lane crossing towards Bedale after the attention of the vegetation team. (17/09/2025)
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Ref - 16283

Photo - Richard Kirk
Blind Lane User Worked Crossing just east of Bedale.
Reshaped lineside on each side of the photo.
Metal gate posts and gate refitted in a new position closer to the line to improve visibility.
A pedestrian gate is being added in due course to improve safety and ease of use.
New fencing being installed (30/09/2025)
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Ref - 16284

Photo - Richard Kirk
Blind Lane User Worked Crossing just east of Bedale.
Wooden gate post, previously installed at Leeming Bar, was found a new home. Gate to be refitted is the next job.
A pedestrian gate is being added in due course to improve safety and ease of use.
New fencing being installed and warning sign repositioned. (30/09/2025)
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Ref - 16285

Photo - Richard Kirk
Blind Lane User Worked Crossing just east of Bedale.
Works so far. One road gate in and working, fencing underway and a gap waiting for a new pedestrian gate. (30/09/2025)
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Ref - 16299

Photo - Timothy Edwards
Restoration of a lever frame at Scruton - here are now six levers installed (02/09/2025)
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Ref - 16301

Photo - Timothy Edwards
Restoration of a lever frame at Scruton - All eight levers now installed (16/09/2025)
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Ref - 16304

Photo - Timothy Edwards
Restoration of a lever frame at Scruton - Showing the spindle and bearings with all eight levers installed (16/09/2025)
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Ref - 16305

Photo - Timothy Edwards
Restoration of a lever frame at Scruton - The lever frame with the floor down around them (16/09/2025)
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Ref - 16321

Photo - Timothy Edwards
The new Constable Burton Signal Box - view from the east (22/09/2025)
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Ref - 16320

Photo - Timothy Edwards
The new Constable Burton Signal Box - view from the west (22/09/2025)
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Ref - 16313

Photo - Timothy Edwards
The new Constable Burton Signal Box - the signalman's cabin (22/09/2025)
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Ref - 16312

Photo - Timothy Edwards
The new Constable Burton Signal Box - the locking room (22/09/2025)
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Ref - 16329

Photo - Timothy Edwards
A couple of new plant containers ready for planting up (23/09/2025)
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Ref - 16239

Photo - Timothy Edwards
Mk.2 Brake coach 9417 is now looking very smart after repair, painting and lining out. (02/09/2025)
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Ref - 16241

Photo - Timothy Edwards
Mk.2 Brake coach 9417 is now looking very smart after repair, painting and lining out. (09/09/2025)
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Ref - 16245

Photo - Timothy Edwards
Mk2 coach No.W5337 - The bodywork has been rubbed down and any defects repaired (09/09/2025)
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Ref - 16246

Photo - Timothy Edwards
Mk2 coach No.W5337 - Painting in progress (09/09/2025)
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Ref - 16248

Photo - Timothy Edwards
Mk2 coach No.W5337 - Welding in some replacement sections of bodywork (09/09/2025)
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Ref - 16250

Photo - Timothy Edwards
Mk2 coach No.W5337 - Painting in progress. The south side of the coach is now starting to look very smart (16/09/2025)
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Ref - 16253

Photo - Timothy Edwards
Mk2 coach No.W5337 - The bodywork repairs and painting are now complete and the coach is now looking splendid, for its forthcoming Polar Express role. Newly upholstered seat cushions will shortly be fitted.
Now for the next coach....... (23/09/2025)
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Ref - 16254

Photo - Timothy Edwards
Mk2 coach No.E5279 - This coach is next on the line for bodywork repairs before its Polar Express duties (16/09/2025)
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Ref - 16258

Photo - Timothy Edwards
Mk2 coach No.E5279 - the body is being rubbed down and bodywork defects repaired (23/09/2025)
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Ref - 16261

Photo - Timothy Edwards
Mk2 coach No.E5279 - the body is being rubbed down and bodywork defects repaired (23/09/2025)
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Ref - 16327

Photo - Timothy Edwards
Cushions rom the Mk.2 coaches neatly stacked up awaiting being sent away for reupholstering (23/09/2025)
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Ref - 16328

Photo - Timothy Edwards
Mat is removing the old upholstery from seat cushions prior to them being sent away for re-upholstery (16/09/2025)
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Ref - 16213

Photo - Michael Metcalfe
A start was made to install a cross drain near Wensley. (08/09/2025)
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Ref - 16214

Photo - Michael Metcalfe
Spoil been removed and a catch pit area was dug out as well near Wensley. (08/09/2025)
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Ref - 16215

Photo - Michael Metcalfe
The cross drain being installed at Wensley East of the crossing getting the geotextile wrapping ready for the pipe. (22/09/2025)
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Ref - 16216

Photo - Michael Metcalfe
Back filling starts on the previously installed pipes near Wensley. (22/09/2025)
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Ref - 16217

Photo - Michael Metcalfe
The new cross drain outlet near Wensley. (22/09/2025)
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Ref - 16263

Photo - Steve Hall
This trackside tree near Wensley was found to be in a dangerous condition after it's double trunk base split away, requiring the intervention of the vegetation team to make it safe. (03/09/2025)
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Ref - 16264

Photo - Steve Hall
The same tree subsequently felled and ready for disposal. (03/09/2025)
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Ref - 16277

Photo - Alan Graham
A member of the vegetation team "making steam". Strimming in very wet conditions produces clouds of water vapour similar to steam making it difficult to view the job in hand, as in this image near Aiskew. (10/09/2025)
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Ref - 16273

Photo - Alan Graham
Smoke rises looking east from Spruce Ghyll showing an area of track cleared on both sides by the vegetation team. (24/09/2025)
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Ref - 16274

Photo - Alan Graham
"Taking a rest". Two members of the vegetation team share a quiet moment during a particularly strenuous shift at Spruce Ghyll on the morning of 24th September. (24/09/2025)
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Ref - 16276

Photo - Alan Graham
All smiles from two of the vegetation team after they've tidied up and prepare to wheel the last trolley of the day home from Spruce Ghyll towards Finghall. (24/09/2025)
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