REALLY SideTracked - Slingsby
The Old Station House (photographed in 2021) has been extended in several different directions.
Slingsby railway station was built on the orders of the Earl of Carlisle, the local landowner and was the only one on the Thirsk and Malton line to be built of stone. Opening in 1853, it closed to regular passenger trains on 1 January 1931, but remained open for freight traffic and occasional special passenger trains until 10 August 1964.
The main station building, which incorporated the stationmaster's house was extended in 1897, 1904 and 1914 with single story extentions at both ends of the building. The station building included general and ladies waiting rooms and a combined stationmaster's and booking office.
Slingsby station looking west c.1905
Slingsby was one of five stations on the line that had a two level platform. When built the platform was very low but in 1865 the NDR settled on a standard height platform 2’ 6” above rail level. The section of platform in front of the station building remained at its original height to accommodate the existing windows which would have had their sills at platform level. The remainder of the platform was raised to the new standard height.
Slingsby station looking east in the early 20th century
The goods yard consisted of four sidings, three on the up side and one on the down side of the line. A passing loop on the latter siding that had been taken out of use early in the station's history was reinstated and lengthened in 1943 for unloading ammunition. There was a brick and a timber warehouse, a second brick warehouse was built in 1858 at the request of a corn merchant.
Bradshaw Timetable, July 1922
Having lost its passenger service at the end of 1930, the station remained open for freight traffic. The station saw regular passenger use until July 27th 1964 with a range of excursion trains using the station these included shopping, ramblers, football excursions, Sunday school outings to Scarborough and the usual enthusiast specials. The last ramblers excursion ran to Kirbymoorside on May 3rd 1964 and the last passenger train was one of the Sunday school excursions and the station finally closed to all traffic on August 10th 1964.
The final passenger excursion at Slingsby on 27th July 1964
Tickets Please!
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