Have you tried their websites?What locos are on the Battlefield railway and the Embsay and Bolton railway please??
Thank you so much in advance.
There is a bus service to Market Bosworth from Leicester, although it is then a short walk to the station from the centre of Market Bosworth. Alternatively, there are less frequent bus services from Atherstone to Shackerstone.I doubt you would have any trouble finding a seat at the Battlefield Line but getting there isn't easy unless you have a car.
My only visit to the Battlefield Line was a long time ago. I took my bicycle on a class 350 from Euston and cycled from Nuneaton to Shenton.I doubt you would have any trouble finding a seat at the Battlefield Line but getting there isn't easy unless you have a car.
For what it is worth, there is a bus from Skipton to Embsay, or it is just about walkable.
The time I went for the 37 it was on load 2 and the whole day was a total stagger with barely a trace of thrash. Red pen, yes. But minimal entertainment.Having never visited Embsay, and as they have a rather nice Class 37 (294), I was pleased to discover that they are within possible walking distance of Skipton, making a trip by train feasible. I was even more pleased to see that they have a Rail Ale Day at the end of August with a connecting bus from Skipton; Only when I went to enter the dates in my diary did I notice that this was in 2022! But I have subscribed to their news updates and hopefully something similar will happen this year.
The 20 apparently made its first runs today.Locos in service at Embsay are Austerity loco Cumbria, Hunslet 16” Beatrice and Bagnall 18” no. 401. The Bagnall is on loan as part of a swap with Embsay resident Hudswell Clarke Illingworth/Nightingale/Seacole so later in the year you may find they have swapped back. Embsay also usually hire in a loco over summer too - last year it was meant to be GWR 813 but after it failed, they hired 52322 from Andy Booth instead.
Barclay No.22 is also apparently back in service I believe but haven’t seen it out on services yet and I think it’s unlikely to be used on anything other than vintage trains.
The diesels currently in service are a class 37, an 08 which doesn’t generally see passenger service, and an 03 which does occasionally. There is also the railcar mentioned already. They recently acquired a 20 but I don’t believe it’s in service yet.
Im sure you’ve done your research but be aware that whilst it’s a gorgeous little line with a lot of character, I’d say you could only really spend half a day there unless you fancy doing multiple round trips. It is however worth combining with a walk around Bolton Abbey.
Their standard train is roughly 5 mk1 coaches now. Probably still not enough to really test the 37 but certainly better than load 2.The time I went for the 37 it was on load 2 and the whole day was a total stagger with barely a trace of thrash. Red pen, yes. But minimal entertainment.
Worth visiting E&BAR for the NER autocar alone in my opinion. Only NER autocar with a wifi router in the electronics bay as far as I am aware! Combine with a visit to Skipton castle and boat trip on the canal or if you like a long walk, the Priory. Some lovely carriages and worth upgrading to First Class.How is patronage on these two railways?
On a forthcoming Eurail, I am planning to significantly increase coverage of preserved lines but have omitted these as one can't do every line in three or four overseas trips. The longer the better, with neither especially lengthy.
Embsay and Bolton's September operations for its preserved autocar look tempting, though.
Worth visiting E&BAR for the NER autocar alone in my opinion. Only NER autocar with a wifi router in the electronics bay as far as I am aware! Combine with a visit to Skipton castle and boat trip on the canal or if you like a long walk, the Priory.
Rough figures but UK steam railway visitors is something like this: 51% retired, 48% families and 1% enthusiasts. Figures change inside and outside of school holidays. Gala weekends skew the figures totally so can give the false impression that steam railways are visited mainly by enthusiasts.Yes, I changed my mind: many thanks and will hopefully stay two nights at Skipton, doing KWVR on a Sunday. E&BAR operates on Monday, when it is the autocar. Annoyingly the two nicest looking pub/hotels claim to be 'booked out' on the days I'm there: annoying, but perhaps they want Friday to Sunday bookings not Saturday to Monday.
I am very surprised it runs on Mondays but perhaps the occasional road coach group books. Goodness knows who else would be able to visit on a working day like that apart from retired people.
It's the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway. Definitely worth visiting for the scenery if nothing else. Excellent catering as well! And if you like industrial locos (which I do!) then it's a gem. Half an hour walk from Skipton railway station to Embsay, gently uphill most of the way. Their prices tend to be pretty reasonable as well. On two-train days, if you've done one round trip and fancy something a bit different, I suggest alighting at Holywell Halt (request stop so be sure to ask the guard before leaving Embsay) and catching the other train on its way back from Bolton Abbey. A lovely little station but not really anywhere to go from it directly other than back to Embsay.Embsay and Bolton railway
Last time I went to E+BSR the bus service from Skipton to Embsay was a bit patchy, so I walked it in about 50 mins IIRC its somewhat uphill on the way outThere is a bus service to Market Bosworth from Leicester, although it is then a short walk to the station from the centre of Market Bosworth. Alternatively, there are less frequent bus services from Atherstone to Shackerstone.
For what it is worth, there is a bus from Skipton to Embsay, or it is just about walkable.
The bus services have changed yet againLast time I went to E+BSR the bus service from Skipton to Embsay was a bit patchy, so I walked it in about 50 mins IIRC its somewhat uphill on the way out
If your'e doing it by bus Bolton Abbey Station is easier to get to. Reasonable Service from Ilkley including Sundays. About a 10 min walk from bus stop again IIRC
Thanks for this updateThe bus services have changed yet again
Bolton Abbey Station - SO from Skipton and Harrogate on the 59
Bolton Bridge (easy walk) - daily except Tu and Th from Ilkley
Embsay - daily except Saturday (!) from Skipton Bus Station, Sunday from Ilkley.
May 2023 marks the 25th anniversary of trains running through to Bolton Abbey, thus creating our railway as we know it today. Although passenger services started running through to Bolton Abbey in October 1997, the extension of the line was formally opened, together with Bolton Abbey station, on 1 May 1998, with the late Sir William McAlpine officiating.
To mark the occasion, and to celebrate our railway as it is now and how far we have come over those twenty-five years, and to look forward to the next 25 years, we will be holding a special Mixed Traction Gala Weekend on Sunday 7 & Bank Holiday Monday 8 May.
The timetable features:
– Two steam locomotives in use (chosen from Cumbria, No 401 and Beatrice);
– The public debut of our Class 20, No D8110.
– Class 37 No 37294 also in use.
– the Main train, made up of the ‘blood & custard’ Mark 1 coaches;
– a vintage train made up of the three 6-wheelers, Queen Victoria saloon, and the L&Y Directors’ saloon;
– a goods train made up of the ballast hoppers and grampus wagons + the LMS Oyster brake van.
It is an intensive three-train timetable, with trains departing every 30 minutes from both Embsay and Bolton Abbey. Trains will pass at Stoneacre loop and Embsay.
On the Sunday trains will continue into the evening to allow the Diesel fraternity a chance to accumulate ‘mileage’ behind the ‘37’ and ‘20’ (a ‘mini-Beerex’).
In addition, there will be a special evening dining train for YDR members on Saturday 6 May.
It is also Coronation weekend – and so the stations will be suitably decorated with bunting.
Ooh. I would check with transdev that the 59 will stop at the rail station.The bus services have changed yet again
Bolton Abbey Station - SO from Skipton and Harrogate on the 59
Bolton Bridge (easy walk) - daily except Tu and Th from Ilkley
Embsay - daily except Saturday (!) from Skipton Bus Station, Sunday from Ilkley.
The 20 is coming back into service, and operating with two steam loco's and a 37 for their upcoming Mixed Traction weekend over the Coronation bank holiday weekend. It would seem an optimal time to visit for those that can, with 4 loco's available compared to the usual 1. And who doesn't like 37's and 20's Vintage carriages will also make up one coaching set, including the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Director's SaloonLocos in service at Embsay are Austerity loco Cumbria, Hunslet 16” Beatrice and Bagnall 18” no. 401. The Bagnall is on loan as part of a swap with Embsay resident Hudswell Clarke Illingworth/Nightingale/Seacole so later in the year you may find they have swapped back. Embsay also usually hire in a loco over summer too - last year it was meant to be GWR 813 but after it failed, they hired 52322 from Andy Booth instead.
Barclay No.22 is also apparently back in service I believe but haven’t seen it out on services yet and I think it’s unlikely to be used on anything other than vintage trains.
The diesels currently in service are a class 37, an 08 which doesn’t generally see passenger service, and an 03 which does occasionally. There is also the railcar mentioned already. They recently acquired a 20 but I don’t believe it’s in service yet.
Im sure you’ve done your research but be aware that whilst it’s a gorgeous little line with a lot of character, I’d say you could only really spend half a day there unless you fancy doing multiple round trips. It is however worth combining with a walk around Bolton Abbey.
I am told 401 is staying at Embsay til late summer. Makes sense but I can’t help but be a little disappointed that they aren’t bringing in something else a bit more interesting for the summer season (although they do often hire in a 4th steam in summer loco so we’ll see)Anyone know which loco the Battlefield Line had lined up? Not the Manor that was supposed to be at the WSR gala, was it?
Regarding Embsay, does anyone know when 401 and Illingworth return to their respective homes?
Did the Battlefield Line find a steam loco for the summer? I can't see reference to one on their website.