E E Slater – Ilkley Station – Undated
A steam locomotive and carriages at the station which opened in August 1865 as the terminus of the Otley & Ilkley joint railway to Leeds. There were 2 routes one via Otley and Headingley the other through Guiseley. A line extension opened in 1888 to Skipton via Addingham, Bolton Abbey and Embsay, this fell foul of the Beeching cuts and was closed in 1965. Ilkley claims the distinction of being the last station to be lit by gas light, this ceased in 1988.
The Embsay Heritage Railway was opened in 1981 using the line from Embsay to Bolton Abbey, it is a future plan to extend the line to Skipton and Addingham once more.
Consolidated by Jack Brayshaw. 11 April 2023.
Last updated: 19 April 2023.