Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway to reopen with a train renamed for NHS key workers

Volunteers at the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway are “chomping at the bit to get steaming” again after nearly four months out of action.
The Illingworth/Mitchell locomotive at the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway. Picture: Gerard Binks.The Illingworth/Mitchell locomotive at the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway. Picture: Gerard Binks.
The Illingworth/Mitchell locomotive at the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway. Picture: Gerard Binks.

The service at one of North Yorkshire’s top beauty spots is welcoming customers back from Saturday July 25.

Business manager Rob James says that members are excited to let people back on to its steam trains and Dales Dining services, but the long break has allowed volunteers to restore old facilities too.

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He said: “We’ve been shut since the middle of March so we’re chomping at the bit to get cracking on and get steaming.”

Driver David Umpleby on the Illingworth/Mitchell locomotive, which is being renamed for Mary Seacole and Florence Nightingale. Picture: Gerard Binks.Driver David Umpleby on the Illingworth/Mitchell locomotive, which is being renamed for Mary Seacole and Florence Nightingale. Picture: Gerard Binks.
Driver David Umpleby on the Illingworth/Mitchell locomotive, which is being renamed for Mary Seacole and Florence Nightingale. Picture: Gerard Binks.

To honour the role of NHS workers’ roles tackling the coronavirus crisis, the charity’s Illingworth/Mitchell train will be renamed after two nursing pioneers - Mary Seacole, who challenged racism and nursed soldiers during the Crimean war, and Florence Nightingale.

The charity will open to customers for an initial three days a week - Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday - but may extend the timetable should there be demand for it.

Organisers are also looking into ways that they might be able to host its beer festival in August with fewer attendees.

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Volunteers have also been busy restoring an old director’s saloon, thought to be from the Edwardian period and have royal connections.

“That’s a beautiful thing,” said Mr James.

“It’s not been in operation with this railway for years.”

Laser Construction Services Limited, based in Embsay, have also helped the charity by working on a long-planned second platform at Bolton Abbey, saving the railway around £20,000, estimates Mr James, and laying the groundwork for its finishing touches.

All tickets for services must be pre-booked through the railway’s online ticketing system.

Customers will be spread farther apart than usual to accommodate social distancing between groups and “stringent cleaning procedures” will be in place for the benefit of customers and staff.

“We’re trying to make sure what we’re doing it safe and responsible,” said Mr James.