To Long Preston

I am fortunate to be able to present photographs and to be able to write about Hellifield Station because only a few years ago it was in a sad state of disrepair and under a threat of demolition. Thanks to various bodies and some significant financial input from Craven District Council, the means were found to refurbish the structure and make the buildings once again available for commercial use.  Rejuvenation of the Settle - Carlisle line has completely changed the outlook and the future looks bright for the station and its railway once again.

If the West Coast Railway company development on the site of the old engineer's yard ever comes to fruition, the station will become the southern base for all kinds of rail excursions and activities. 

Hellifield Shed stood empty for a number of years after closure, making a sad contrast with the bustling depot which once operated around the clock. The shed was used for a period to store a number of historic locomotives pending transport to Clapham Railway Museum.

Inside the four road shed - even the rails which had been set into the floor had been taken up.

The line from from Skipton through what is now the site of Settle Junction opened on the 30th of July 1849. These were early days in the development of the local railway system as the Lancaster to Carlisle railway had only reached Carlisle in December 1847. 

The present station complex (but now very much simplified) was opened on the 1st of June 1880. The Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway line from Chatburn through the Ribble valley to Hellifield opened in the same year.

Midland Compound 40555 on shed after a turn of duty. These hardy little engines were the stalwarts of the line in the early 20th century.
 
 

Photo from VCT sales at KWVR Keighley: Author unknown

6.40 p.m. Wednesday 12th July

The locomotive has just run around its train and is preparing to cross over onto the up line to return to Clitheroe. This manouvre is carried out so that the train can reverse into the Ribble Cement sidings, under the control of Horrocksford signal box.

The canopies at the station carry a variety of Midland Railway motifs including the characteristic Wyvern and the letters MR.

Most of the original station furniture has gone but just above the seat the location of what was probably a water fountain can be seen. The plain brick recesses in the wall would have one accommodated poster boards.
 
 
 
 

Although passenger and freight traffic through Hellifield has increased in recent years, most enthusiasts mourn the passing of the locomotive-hauled services. Brief memories of the past are rekindled however during rare weekend diversions from the West Coast Main Line. A flurry of Class 47 locomotives, HST and now Virgin Voyager units sets pass through and the station isonce again busy with photographers and railway enthusiasts.

The subsidiary signal arm controls the down refuge loop.
 
 

The undergrowth behind the train marks the site of the once extensive carriage sidings.