Ravensthorpe Railway Station

Ravensthorpe Railway Station is a small suburban stop on the Huddersfield Line between Mirfield and Dewsbury. West Yorkshire. A little used station with only 35342 passengers using it in 2018 - 19, approx. 680 people per week, you can't help but think it would be a much busier with station if platforms were added to the lines towards Wakefield which branch off just before arriving at Ravensthorpe. 

Opened in 1890 this was the 2nd station to serve the area with the first station opening in 1869 on the Ravensthorpe branch of the Spen Valley Line. This station was closed in 1962. This station was built with a good shed to attract freight traffic, some 42 years after the line was opened and quite grand station buildings which were listed prior to a fire which led to them being demolished and replaced by basic shelters. The station has a unique character which is hard to explain, it's location in an industrial suburb of Dewsbury means it should have the feel of a busy commuter but when your stood on the platforms you get the feel of rural countryside stop.

The station has basic facilities with limited shelters on both platforms, no toilets or ticket purchase machines. There are information boards and timetables, the station is unstaffed. Access to platform 2 is via the bridge and steps.

The pictures below were taken on December 30 2019, there are a total of which can also be seen on my ClickASnap account where they are full size, resolution and un-watermarked.

The lines to the left of the picture, there has never been a station serving
those line at this location, this may change as there are plans to demolish
and re-site the station just beyond the bridge in the picture, as part of plans to
put 4 tracks along this route.

Thanks for looking and please take a moment to share and follow me on social media. Clicking any image should open a link in another window to a higher resolution, un-watermarked version of the image on Clickasnap.

All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.

A Journey Through Time: Exploring the Lost Rishworth Branch Line

The Ryburn Valley, a picturesque stretch of West Yorkshire, whispers tales of a bygone era, a time when the rhythmic chug of steam trains echoed through its hills. This is the story of the Rishworth Branch Line, a railway that briefly connected the valley to the wider world, leaving behind a legacy of intriguing remnants for the modern explorer.

Conceived in the ambitious railway boom of the mid-19th century, the Rishworth Branch Line was initially proposed in 1865. However, it wasn't until 1873 that construction finally began. The first section, stretching from Sowerby Bridge to Ripponden, opened its doors to passengers in 1878, a testament to the Victorian engineering prowess of the time. The line was finally completed to Rishworth in 1881, promising to bring prosperity and connectivity to this rural community.

The initial vision for the line was far grander. Ambitious plans included tunnelling through the imposing moorland to connect with the main line at Rochdale. This would have created a significant through route. However, the challenging terrain and persistent problems with landslides and other geological issues meant this ambitious connection never materialized. The Rishworth Branch Line remained a quiet branch, nestled within the Ryburn Valley.

Despite its relatively short lifespan, the line played a vital role in the local economy, transporting goods and passengers and connecting communities. However, the same challenges that plagued its construction ultimately contributed to its demise. Problems with the surrounding land, likely including landslips and subsidence, led to the closure of the section between Ripponden and Rishworth in March 1952. The final nail in the coffin came in September 1958, when the entire line was closed, marking the end of an era for the Ryburn Valley.

Today, the Rishworth Branch Line exists largely in memory, a ghost of its former self. Yet, for those willing to seek them out, remnants of this railway adventure remain. Several of the sturdy bridge crossings still span the valley, silent witnesses to the trains that once thundered across them. The most impressive relic is perhaps the Scar Head Tunnel, a dark and mysterious portal into the past.

And at Rishworth, the station platform still stands, a poignant reminder of the bustling hub it once was. Though now largely hidden by encroaching undergrowth and inaccessible due to being on private land, the platform waits patiently, a silent sentinel dreaming of the trains that will never arrive. It's a powerful image, a testament to the fleeting nature of progress and the enduring charm of forgotten railways.

The Rishworth Branch Line may be gone, but its story continues to fascinate. It's a story of ambition, engineering challenges, and the changing landscape of transportation. It's a story etched into the very fabric of the Ryburn Valley, waiting to be rediscovered by those who dare to look. So, next time you find yourself in the area, take a moment to imagine the sights and sounds of the Rishworth Branch Line, a lost railway that still whispers its secrets to the wind.

The majority of these pictures featured in this slideshow were taken using my Nikon D3300 camera on April 29, 2016.

Thanks for looking and taking a moment to share. Like and follow me if you enjoy my posts using the buttons to the left, or if on Clickasnap or YouTube