Disused Railway, The Yeadon branch, Leeds

Yeadon railway station was a goods only railway station in West Yorkshire that operated between 1894 and 1964.

[@martinh9099]

Great video..thanks for making it👍 I spent a large time of my happy childhood playing on the "banking" as we termed the cutting in the 1960's/70's as my house backed onto the railway line. It was basically a giant childrens playground Here's a few of my memories (1) There's a stream underneath the present backfill, I used to make small dams in it (2) There's a housing estate to the left towards Milner Road junction. I have fond memories of being let into the cab of a bulldozer and driver even letting me have a go with the controls 😁 (3) We'd often find giant bolts from the railway, but no sign of the sleepers or track (4) Back then children could buy fireworks, we used to set them off in the tunnels and build bonfires in them - maybe that's what the soot is! (5) Train used to drive past around dinner time, kids used to come into my garden to wave at the drivers (6) Many kids used to makes slides down the cutting. Minor injuries were frequent, but mum would just patch us up and we'd go back!

[@newmotorcycleguy]

Thank you for this amazing comment and personal story of what was happening then.

[@grahammoizer4388]

Wonderful. I'm retired, living in Ireland, but this was my old stamping ground 50 years ago. Thankyou.

[@newmotorcycleguy]

You are very welcome. And glad you enjoyed it. Was the railway running for you if the station still there?

[@grahammoizer4388]

No. The Yeadon line was already closed when we moved to the area. I do remember steam on the Guiseley line, and I cut school a couple of times and rode footplate around Guiseley. There used to be sidings at Guiseley with good shunting. I used to walk to scghool (Aireborough Grammar) along the embankment on the first section of the trackbed. .@@newmotorcycleguy

[@ferdieferret9733]

I started at Aireborough School in 1964 and our cross-country run took us by where the water runs and across this line. Right by the junction with the main line, this part was gated across. We were warned to look out for trains but it was obviously out of use as the tracks were rusty. We wondered where it went so one Saturday I, with 2 mates, got a bus and went down there. We walked the line until we came to the station, which was deserted apart from a few empty wagons. Had a good look around, then bus home again. An interesting afternoon. Have only walked it again, a few times, in the past 3 years.

[@newmotorcycleguy]

wow, thank you for this! what a wonderful story! I would very much liked to have have seen the area in days is was built. With all the mills and trains running it.

[@dancrowther9931]

Fantastic video . I’m from Rawdon and have walked this path many times teaching my kids to ride their bikes 👍

[@newmotorcycleguy]

Thank you, and what a great place to learn!

[@theolder_man5768]

The cutting was much deeper, like a ravine, but when we lived on Whack House in the 1970's the the track was gone though you could clearly see where the sleepers had been. Near the start there was a row of terrace houses, named Low Mill after the mill further down but before the brick works. During the WW2 my grandfather moved his family from Hunslet to here as he feared that the Germans would use poison gas on civilians. He had been gassed during the first world war. I spent my first couple of years there before moving to the new builds on Newlands Avenue. I always associated the big brick building with the railway, it may have had a short platform which I assumed was for handling parcel or small goods, and the building for distribution. Nice video, strange to see a place I know well on yt.

[@newmotorcycleguy]

Thank you for the information. It’s good to see tht the track was saved as a foot path. A shame many more were not saved for this purpose.

[@MrChrislongun]

Track was filled in from land removed building the airport tunnel. It was a few years after that the path was built on top as it is now

[@newmotorcycleguy]

wow, i wish i had known that when i was filming it!

[@MelvinTeale]

Fantastic research and video including some great historical photos I've never seen before. I grew up on Greenacre Park Rawdon that overlooked the end of the line by Green Lane and the mill. My earliest memories are of seeing the steam engine bring the "trip" working to the end of the line by Green Lane and then propel the trucks back round the sharp curve into the mill. There were sidings at the back of the station as you state, where trucks were stabled. Shortly after the line was closed, probably 1965/6, myself and some friends walked the line from Green Lane to Rawdon Junction. It was the furthest I'd strayed from home and I remember being scared as I was only about 5 years old. I think there was still some track down at Yeadon and the old loading gauge was in place that remained for some years, but I can't recall the station being there. Henshaw Lane over bridge must have still being intact. There were no tracks past this point but I do recall some semaphore signals that were pushed over on the ground as we approached Rawdon Junction. When we got close to the junction a train went past on the main line and we got scared and made a hasty retreat home. I'm pretty sure my parents didn't know about my adventure! I'm sure these experiences contributed to a lifelong interest in railways that continues today. BTW- I'm pretty sure the red brick building towards the end on your video wasn't there until after the railway. Also the engines weren't turned on the turntable, so was probably used for trucks as you say. Thanks for posting this. Cheers- Mel

[@newmotorcycleguy]

Thanks I'm pleased you enjoyed it. The cutting might not have been filled in when you took your adventure! As for the building in the goods yard, i'm still wanting a definite answer! in one of the photos at the station a building can be seen of a very similar shape and looks to be in the right place. if so it an important building! I feel an opportunity was missed by the local council not replying to let me on the grounds to investigate it.

[@MelvinTeale]

The cutting was certainly not filled in then! I think it was filled in sometime in the 90s, but couldn't say for sure, could have been late 80s. Interesting about the building. I can't recall any buildings that rail vehicles could access, but if it was around then it would have had some railway use of course. Yes, I agree that the council missed an opportunity and it was a shame that they didn't reply. The station at Yeadon was certainly under utilised and would have probably have had good use as a commuter station today to Leeds and Bradford. albeit that the trains would have had to reverse at Guiseley. Yeadon station was only used for passenger excursion trains to holiday destinations such as Morecambe and Blackpool, known locally as the Ghost Trains!

[@looppia]

The red brick building at 21:32 was part of the station sidings from what I can research. There is photo evidence on Britain From Above if you look carefully and also you can see it in the background on the image at 23:41 - the square window at the front gives it away. Great video. I grew up in Yeadon so know the route well.

[@newmotorcycleguy]

Yea I was convinced it was part of the sidings. A shame this line didn’t go to Leeds and the airport in a direct way!

[@Mr_wayne0805]

born n bred in Otley, grew up laking about around Guiseley, Yeadon n Rawdon. I never even knew about this old line. Next t8me I'm up visiting my old dear ill be taking a stroll down here.

[@newmotorcycleguy]

It’s a really nice walk and worth a look. I’m hoping to walk the Otley branch line soon and film that.

[@Mr_wayne0805]

@newmotorcycleguy that place closed a couple of years before I was born. Dr B put pay to that. Shame really. I spent many years playing up the old line. We used to say (Off up Station top , Are ya coming?)🤪. Look forward to seeing the video. 👍

[@newmotorcycleguy]

It’s a shame the tunnel is filled in but it’ll be a great walk to film!

[@Bennybushcraft]

Had fun watching this great video cheers buddy

[@newmotorcycleguy]

Very welcome. Some paranormal ones Coming soon plus a fun Halloween special!

[@nigelhorsley7395]

Naylor Jennings was the name of the company that had the mill at the end of your walk. Dyers and bleachers they did work for Dorma as in the bedding and curtains if I remember. The red brick chimney that is still there was shortened.

[@newmotorcycleguy]

Thank you. And it’s fantastic a lot of was saved. I think it’s so sad when mills get knocked down with no consideration for them.

[@Its-DaveT]

Another fantastic video 🎉. Any insight to why the trackbed got filled in so much? Good to see those bridges intact (even if under 12’ of infill! - Shame about the road bride near the pub being demolished) looks a great walk, lots of history along the way. The old mill is an impressive building 😊 Good to see it hasn’t been demolished like so many others. Thank you for sharing 👍👍

[@newmotorcycleguy]

Very welcome. I don’t know why and couldn’t find anything about the infill. I suspect it was a rubbish dump and land fill. The I presume locals started using it and eventually turned in to a public right of way. It’s a shame so many other branch lines didn’t get turned in to walks. That really would be something especially with some of the disused tunnels we have. #savequeensburytunnel

[@FigmentTheThird1997]

I’ve got an old OS map of Yeadon dated 1906 that clearly shows the line you’ve walked and the curve at the end of the line into Green Lane Mill. Having lived early years just off Henshaw Lane, as children we used to play in the old station yard and on the old station platform by climbing up the embankment and going over Henshaw bridge into the yard.

[@newmotorcycleguy]

I love old maps!! that is a lovely story and a real shame this line was lost, i'm sure it would be a great commuter service today!

[@theolder_man5768]

Forgot to mention, but at about 9:50 on Whack House the large stone building on the main road was the home of the local bobby, Mr Copsey. It may have included a police office at the time, but when he retired and moved to the bungalow opposite the building was extended and converted to flats. Whack House Lane continues across the A65 and behind Westfield Avenue ending at "Prospect House" and the older looking "Whack House". I have no idea where the word "Whack" originated.

[@newmotorcycleguy]

Interesting. And it sure is a very strange name!

[@rogerlee3435]

I went to South View Primary School in about 1948 for a few years and went home to Henshaw Lane for lunch (it was called dinner in those days). A six year old on his own? We all did. I called at the railway one day and asked if I could go up onto the footplate. Ay, lad come up, was the response. About then my anxious mother arrived and hauled me off because I was late home for dinner. Those were the days!

[@newmotorcycleguy]

Haha yeah all normal stuff then! what a fab story, that you for sharing.

[@hotrod5157]

My dad and his two brothers were brought up on Henshaw lane just above the bridge on the right hand side, interesting video thanks.

[@newmotorcycleguy]

Brilliant!! I bet they spent many hours by the station and goods yards!

[@hotrod5157]

@@newmotorcycleguy Yes I would have thought so, sadly my dad passed away many years ago I wished I'd ask him about his childhood all my dads side of the family were from Yeadon and surrounding area I'm sure they would have had many a tale to tell!

[@newmotorcycleguy]

@@hotrod5157 I’m certain they would! Glad you enjoyed the video. It was interesting to make.

[@a11csc]

❤️👍😎

[@newmotorcycleguy]

Thanks!

[@Grid56]

How much they wish they had protected the alignment when it closed. It could have been reused for the airport. That was the main problem with all the rail cuts. Closing was one thing, but they should have kept the routes safe.

[@newmotorcycleguy]

Its crazy Leeds doesn't have a link by rail to the airport!

[@peterjarvis9367]

Was it narrow gauge?

[@michaeldibb]

No

[@newmotorcycleguy]

Not this one.