Bradford History - Forster Square Railway Station

[@chrisjackson9978]

Before the Beeching pruning of the railway, there was a regular service between Bradford Forster Square and Morcambe, via Settle Junction, Wennington Junction and Lancaster Green Ayre. Morcambe was known locally as Bradford on Sea. Seems Beeching had a thing about closing down Midland Railway main lines. Pruning the lines linking to and from the Settle & Carlisle was a deliberate ploy to shut that line. The Somerset & Dorset was another Midland line that was axed. The Waverley Route, the Stainmore Route were other cross country routes which were axed. Short sighted transport policy, but Marples had road transport interests.

[@22whizzo56]

Yes - Beeching was just carrying out Marples instructions so his company could turn the railways into roads

[@richardbutler1639]

Thanks for your brIef history of Forster Square station. I think picture of DMU with platform 3 sign. is probably actually at Ilkley station. The Midland canopies at Forster Square station went with the BR 1953 rebuilding. Thankfully Midland Hotel is a great survivor.

[@Historyofthenorth]

Guilty as charged 🙂

[@chriswade7470]

Historically Bradford Forster Square had a direct service ( via Leeds Wellington where the train reversed, to London St Pancras, there were also through trains to Bristol and the South West of England)

[@danielscott6766]

Very interesting history there Andy. I follow Adventure videos quite frequently and watched one recently on Bradfords first passenger station which was Adolphus street.Hope your well.

[@Historyofthenorth]

@Adventureme I think Danny, he does some great videos Darren and yes I'm doing well thanks

[@standclear502]

Informative 😊 How about one on Liverpool central old surface level 😊

[@Historyofthenorth]

I can give it a shot sometime yes, thanks for the suggestion 😊

[@NickHolmes-b3n]

I liked the midland hotel when I stayed there a few years back … the Forster square route to Leeds is also a far nicer journey.

[@clivebroadhead4381]

Hi Andy, It seems the extra platform is a stop gap pending the new through Bradford City Station.

[@rikkilamb]

Nothing to do with it all. It's to increase capacity at BDQ

[@clivebroadhead4381]

It's telling how the Wharfedale and Airedale lines were to be closed by the Beeching cuts and has survived as a thriving electrified commuter line and a regular London service via Leeds. Bradford definitely needs the through ststion to extend the highly successful Wharfedale and Airedale Metro Lines to the rest of West Yorkshire.

[@Historyofthenorth]

I intend to do a series on the Airedale and Wharfedale Lines in the future.

[@rikkilamb]

A through line would bring no benefit at all.

[@michaelwest994]

In the early 1900s it was proposed to link Exchange and Forster sq stations,the First World War put paid to that.The Midland Railway wanted a shorter route to Scotland via Horbury,Dewsbury and Low moor. The Wharfedale and Airedale lines were saved by Leeds and Bradford councils, BR wanted to close them both.Thank goodness that never happened,the trains are packed now and when all the platforms are extended it will 6 Carriages instead of 4.Bradford used to have trains to every part of Britain,sadly not anymore.

[@MichaelCampin]

What about the trains run by Grand Central between London,Kings Cross and Bradford

[@Historyofthenorth]

Queensbury Lines Series kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoG3kIWfh6-FjLMsi=37sjLD0qw9XjMG8N

[@sandrabrowne2350]

Do working-class cities / towns really matter om class ridden UK last election voted for levelling UP populist right wing politics appealing to white working-class left with nothing except glorifying past wars Germany has moved on war against fascism of course necessary with help of US but living in the past Brexit a disaster especially for regions Andy Burnham understood this post Imperial agenda by Tories. OBSERVATION BY Irishman don't have problems with migration 2 and half million people down to 1961 Irish right wing pawns of big capitalism and some in farming background take note !ps all regions outside London just feeding already richer South taking into regard inner London inspite of corruption still has consciousness of inequality to be acknowledged.

[@davidmacgregor5193]

This video is about the Bradford Forster Square Railway Station, it has absolutely nothing to do with politics. Please find somewhere else to preach your political views, this isn't the place for them, thank you.