The Harrogate Railway Station Project

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HarrogateRailway
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The Harrogate Railway Station Project

Post by HarrogateRailway »

Hello,

I have dedicated most of my life to the research of Harrogate and it's railway network. I was born long after the end of steam in the area, and I recall non of how the network around it used to be. I have however come to be (to my knowledge) one of a handful of railway enthusiasts that study the area, and probably the only one so specialised to that particular station. From once being a seven platform mainline station, it was reduced gradually to a two platform branch-line station.

I have studied everything about it to my best ability, given the lack of access to archives and things. I can tell you of every single bridge, signal, tunnel, bridge, coal box, signal box, proposed route, company etc - there's little of the network there I don't know. I come here though with questions, ones which would help me immensely, as I intend to model the station is great accuracy. The period I'm aiming for is the 1930's, as the station saw little change between then and the 1960's (as in 1964 the station house was demolished), which means time-wise it's very neutral.

Any and all information reguarding the station would be most welcomed - if anyone knows where I might find a copy of the station plans, I would also be immensely thankful. I'm aware I would probably also require plans for the NER's station upgrades in the 1880's/1890's from the Thomas Prosser station house of 1862. Any pictures linked would also be very welcomed. At this point, I believe I've hit the limit of what I can achieve in researching prior to building without reaching out to others whom may remember it, or who know a lot of it.

That is all. Thank you,
H.R
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richard
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Re: The Harrogate Railway Station Project

Post by richard »

Welcome to the forums!

I assume you are aware of the NERA book - must be nearly 20 years old now. I can find the ref/ISBN if you're not.

If you're mixing into the 1950s, then I have seen a photo (quite possibly in the NERA book) of an ex-GWR Parcel Railcar on trials at Harrogate...
Richard Marsden
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JonBates
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Re: The Harrogate Railway Station Project

Post by JonBates »

Hello

I am researching a bit further up the line at Bilton Junction/ Harrogate Gas Works interchange.

I have found NERA very useful. There is an archive available and there are a variety of publications. They produce a line diagram book that includes all stations on the Leeds Northern.

Jon
HarrogateRailway
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Re: The Harrogate Railway Station Project

Post by HarrogateRailway »

richard wrote: Thu Aug 29, 2019 2:21 am Welcome to the forums!

I assume you are aware of the NERA book - must be nearly 20 years old now. I can find the ref/ISBN if you're not.

If you're mixing into the 1950s, then I have seen a photo (quite possibly in the NERA book) of an ex-GWR Parcel Railcar on trials at Harrogate...
Thank you for informing of it, I was honestly unaware. I had found track diagrams for the goods-yard portion of the line just past the Bower Road bridge, but the station alludes me. I would very much appreciate a ref/ISBN if possible. I had heard of the photographs of the ex-GWR stock being tested through Harrogate, and that it's primary testing ground was the station. I do have one of presumably a handful of photos of it to my memory (I could be wrong) in the Steam Memories book of Harrogate and Wetherby, but any and all photographs are appreciated.

Thank you kindly,
H.P
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Re: The Harrogate Railway Station Project

Post by HarrogateRailway »

JonBates wrote: Thu Aug 29, 2019 8:45 am Hello

I am researching a bit further up the line at Bilton Junction/ Harrogate Gas Works interchange.

I have found NERA very useful. There is an archive available and there are a variety of publications. They produce a line diagram book that includes all stations on the Leeds Northern.

Jon
It's a very fascinating junction, I must say. I'm often down there looking at the old bridges to study the methods of the Leeds Northern's architects.
That sounds very ineteresting. I will look into that, thank you for the suggestion. I'm always very excited to come across new photographs. It's very hard working with so little, so everything is verymuch appreciated.

Thank you,
H.P
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richard
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Re: The Harrogate Railway Station Project

Post by richard »

The book is "The Railways of Harrogate and District", James Rogers. Publ. North Eastern Railway Association. 2000
ISBN 1 873513 33 X

Long out of print, but like most railway books I'm sure you can find a used copy in a used bookshop online (or even in person!).

It covers the wider area, so thinking about it, it might be more useful to give an idea of the traffic coming through.

A quick look through, I couldn't see the parcel railcar - must be another book. Might be the Steam Memories book you mention, or a Ken Hoole book.

Yes the NERA is recommended if you are modelling in the area.
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Re: The Harrogate Railway Station Project

Post by HarrogateRailway »

richard wrote: Thu Aug 29, 2019 2:27 pm The book is "The Railways of Harrogate and District", James Rogers. Publ. North Eastern Railway Association. 2000
ISBN <a href="tel:1 873513">1 873513</a> 33 X

Long out of print, but like most railway books I'm sure you can find a used copy in a used bookshop online (or even in person!).

It covers the wider area, so thinking about it, it might be more useful to give an idea of the traffic coming through.

A quick look through, I couldn't see the parcel railcar - must be another book. Might be the Steam Memories book you mention, or a Ken Hoole book.

Yes the NERA is recommended if you are modelling in the area.
Thank you very much, I'll be sure to find a copy.

The traffic that came through Harrogate from what I understand was very varied over the years, so to be able to pin-point what stock I should be focusing on would be a big help.

I see. Well, that's no matter. Any photographs of the station are still fascinating. I've noticed though that any photographs are few and far between - I have found no photographs showing the canopy covered area on the East Parade side of the station for instance. Seemingly no-one though a big station like Harrogate would ever be downgraded.

Thank you again,
H.P
Suddaby
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Re: The Harrogate Railway Station Project

Post by Suddaby »

Hello HR,

There are also 3 books by Martin Bairstow, titled 'Railways around Harrogate', vols 1-3. The author self published these and they are in the form of a collection of articles about the area. (David Beeken co-authored V2.) Also contain lots of photos of the area.
I am sure a well known South American website would be able to turn up copies for you.

Kind regards,

Kevin
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Re: The Harrogate Railway Station Project

Post by Sniffer »

Morning,

Haven't posted for a while as I had some issues with my login details.
I too am an avid researcher of the railway network that radiated out from my home town.
Grew up on Dragon Road a stones through away from the old goods yard, and my dad was Chief Steward on the Yorkshire Pullman.
To say I'm fascinated by the areas railway history is an understatement !

Other posters have mentioned some of the books etc. available, but there is an additional must have I haven't seen listed.

Railway Memories No.24
HARROGATE & WETHERBY
By Stephen Chapman published by BellCode Books.
ISBN 9 78171 233247

An excellent publication chock full of pictures that I haven't come across elsewhere, and plenty of useful narrative.
The book/model shop at Haworth station on the K&WVR used to hold a big selection of the Bellcode series.
Best of luck !
Re-open the Leeds Northern northwards !
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sawdust
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Re: The Harrogate Railway Station Project

Post by sawdust »

HarrogateRailway wrote: Thu Aug 29, 2019 2:49 pm
richard wrote: Thu Aug 29, 2019 2:27 pm The book is "The Railways of Harrogate and District", James Rogers. Publ. North Eastern Railway Association. 2000
ISBN <a href="tel:1 873513">1 873513</a> 33 X

Long out of print, but like most railway books I'm sure you can find a used copy in a used bookshop online (or even in person!).

It covers the wider area, so thinking about it, it might be more useful to give an idea of the traffic coming through.

A quick look through, I couldn't see the parcel railcar - must be another book. Might be the Steam Memories book you mention, or a Ken Hoole book.

Yes the NERA is recommended if you are modelling in the area.
Thank you very much, I'll be sure to find a copy.

The traffic that came through Harrogate from what I understand was very varied over the years, so to be able to pin-point what stock I should be focusing on would be a big help.

I see. Well, that's no matter. Any photographs of the station are still fascinating. I've noticed though that any photographs are few and far between - I have found no photographs showing the canopy covered area on the East Parade side of the station for instance. Seemingly no-one though a big station like Harrogate would ever be downgraded.

Thank you again,
H.P
Hello, are you from the Harrogate area? I have a (very long) plan of the station and a bit each way, which dates from before the construction of the original bus station and even has wagon turntable at the Leeds end of platform 1.

Sawdust.
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Re: The Harrogate Railway Station Project

Post by Signalman LNER »

Hello
As a relief signalman based at Harrogate we may have a plan that would interest you, feel free to contact me by PM

Regards
Matt the Signalman
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Re: The Harrogate Railway Station Project

Post by HarrogateRailProject »

Hello! I'm the original poster of this thread, but I lost my account details when my original tablet outright stopped working so I was unable to respond to any of the comments for quite a while, and for that I apologise.
Since I was last able to speak, I have collected various artefacts (documents, relics retrieved from the disused and around the used lines and from donations to aid my reseach) all relating to either Harrogate station or the Harrogate Loop (including the banchlines and the Ripon line). I have also been into the Harrogate north box on a guided tour by one of the signalmen, and located a booklet of photographs of the station I lost after the station's 150th in 2012. My research hasn't ended or slowed, and I fully intend to learn more and see that the station is accurately recreated as a model, as was always the intended goal. I am yet to get my hands on any actual station plans outside undetailed public OS maps, which so far has been a tripping point. I do however possess a document written by the signalman from the Harrogate South Box (Signalman Oliver Dunning) that gives signalling diagrams accurate to 1960, which is a little after the date I'm aiming for, but is useful at any rate.
Any help towards this would be appreciated!
I'll post a new thread when I can - I'm still not too sure how this site works.

Thank you
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