Station Name: CULLINGWORTH

[Source: Chris Armour]


Date opened: 7.4.1884
Location: At the end of Station Road
Company on opening: Great Northern Railway
Date closed to passengers: 23.5.1955
Date closed completely: 11.11.1963
Company on closing: British Railways (North Eastern Region)
Present state: Demolished - a private industrial unit has been built on the site. The overbridge is intact.
County: Yorkshire
OS Grid Ref: SE065366
Date of visit: October 2005

The line from Bradford to Thornton via Queensbury was opened as a joint venture between the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway and the Great Northern Railway between 1876 and 1878. The line was extended to Keighley in 1884. Once out of Bradford, the line was mostly rural and necessitated the construction of many earthworks, viaducts and tunnels. Its hilly nature earned it the nicknames of 'the Alpine route' or 'the switchback' from its loyal drivers.

Cullingworth station was situated quite close to the village centre, and as a result was well used, particularly for trains to Keighley. The station was approached by a wide access road and the goods facilities were used a great deal by local industries.

After closure to passengers, the lines near Cullingworth were used for track and locomotive testing and DMU crew training. The appearance of DMUs on the line in 1956 prompted speculation that passenger services would resume, but the British Railways Board were adamant that closure had been justified. Several new diesel locomotives appeared on the line around this time, being used for exhaust fume experiments in comparison with steam locomotives in aid of cancer research. Derailing experiments were also carried out to measure the effect on new concrete sleepers specifically laid for this purpose. The track was lifted soon after closure in 1963.

In May 2005 a section of the railway was brought back to life as the Great Northern Trail. The first section of the new trail runs from Cullingworth to Harecroft Eventually the new trail will cover a distance of 10 kilometres between Queensbury and Cullingworth but it will be five years before it is completed.

The new trail is availbale for walkers, cyclists and horse riders and is also suitable for wheelchairs. The section of the trail already open includes two viaducts including the listed Hewenden Viaduct near Cullingworth.

Tickes from Miochael Stewart

To see the other stations on the Halifax - Bradford - Keighley lines click on the station name: Halifax St. Pauls, Pellon,
Halifax North Bridge, Ovenden, Holmfield, Queensbury, Clayton, Great Horton, Horton Park, Manchester Road, St. Dunstan's, Bradford Adolphus Street, Thornton, Denholme, Wilsden & Ingrow East



Edwardian view of Cullingworth station looking north.
Photo re4ceive4d from Nigel Stanworth



Cullingworth Station before 1904
Copyright photo from John Alsop collection

Cullingworth Station before 1904
Copyright photo from John Alsop collection

Cullingworth Station before 1904
Copyright photo from John Alsop collection


Cullingworth Station looking north in 1951

Cullingworth Station in 1962


The site of Cullingworth Station seen from the overbridge in October 2005

Photo by Chris Armour

Looking towards the site of Cullingworth Station in October 2005. Seen from the other side of the overbridge.
Photo by Chris Armour

 

 

 

[Source: Chris Armour]


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