Leeds to Morecambe with Northern along the Bentham Line

Another Northern trip! This time I'm heading across from Leeds, following the path of thousands of summer holidaymakers in days gone by, who took their buckets and spades to the sweeping bay at Morecambe.
Sadly, this is not the weather for sandcastles on the beach, but we still get a look at the rolling countryside and riverside views that makes the Bentham Line a lovely trip at any time of year.
Departure: Leeds, England, UK
Destination: Morecambe, England, UK
Distance: 119 km / 74 miles
Duration: 2 hrs 5 mins
Average speed: 57 km/h 36 mph
Offpeak single (standard class): £26.30 / €30,70
Advance single (standard class): £12.10 / €14,10
North West Rover (4 days in 8): £96.80 / €113,00 (£63.85 with railcard disc)
Date of Travel: April 2024
Operator: Northern trains
Motive power: Class 158/0 2-car DMU. Built: BREL Derby (1989-1992)
Thank you to everyone that supports the channel by subscribing, liking, commenting or just watching these videos. I really appreciate it!

[@nathantew946]

12:37 Ohhhhh! And the award for the worst pun goes too

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

I've done worse 😉 Catch my Dublin to Belfast ride on the Enterprise for a puntastic trip! Thanks for watching 👍

[@sandiandgregh]

Beautiful run, rain and all. We really love voice over man’s historical info on the stations, villages etc.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks. I'll let him know when he gets into the office 👍

[@WINGSANDRAILS]

Great VoiceOver!

[@srfurley]

I always used to enjoy this trip when it was worked by a Pacer train, usually from Bradford, shanging at Shipley or Skipton. Until a few years ago the 11:00 train from Skipton used to reverse at Morecambe and run to Heysham Port, though the indicators at Lancaster still showed its old name of Heysham Harbour. The timetable was changed, and the one train per day serving Heysham became just a shuttle from Lancaster. The through service from Leeds is infrequent, and there was one per day, at something after 16:00 which started at Lancaster, reversed at Morecambe, than ran direct to Carnforth via the third side of the triangle without returning to Lancaster; I’m not sure if this still runs. The last time I was there, in January, the walkway attached to the railway bridge in Lancaster seemed to have re-opened after many years of closure. I used to be one of the projectionists at the David Lean Cinema in Croydon, but Brief Encounter is not one my favourite films of his, I prefer Great Expectations. One day I had to do part of the journey by a rail replacement bus. Somewhere between Bentham and Wennington I saw part of what looked like an overhead rope way. When I recently discovered that Matilda River Walden lived in this area I asked her if she knew what it was. She replied that she had made a video-about it, it serves a brickworks, and is still in use.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks for all that. Most interesting. Not often you hear someone say "i used to enjoy this trip when it was worked by a Pacer" 🤣 I will try and get back to the area one day soon to go from Heysham on the ferry. Thanks for watching 👍

[@Kulla1berg]

Morecambe had have a numbers of railway stations Incredible that the hotel had been refurbished, when I first saw it on TV it really looks like it was out off control to be saved

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes it is good for Morecambe that the Midland was saved otherwise it would have been a terrible ruin right there on the Bay. Thanks for coming along 👍

[@Nastyswimmer]

Fun fact. When the railway arrived at Morecambe the town didn't exist - there was just a pier for steamers to Ireland and three small villages nearby: Poulton, Torrisholme and Bare (Bare Lane was the lane that led to Bare) - so the station was named after Morecambe Bay. Tourism resulted in the three villages expanding and merging and the resulting town was named after the station.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Great fun facts! Thanks! And thanks for watching too 👍

[@ernestbailey9194]

Another lovely video, we have just got back from a day return from Barnsley to Morecambe. via Leeds. As you said it is a beautiful run with lovely views. We stayed on the train and came straight back. So we too didn't see Eric Morecambes statue. It was made by Graham Ibbeson who is a Barnsley lad. We also got a good return ticket with the kind help of the man in the ticket office, he went out of his way to get the cheapest ticket for us both. Glad they are keeping the ticket staff ln the stations.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thank you for that. Yes, i should have said hello to Eric on my trip. Pleased you had a fun ride and also pleased you got great service at the ticket office. Great that they have been retained. Best wishes to you and thanks for watching 👍

[@paulgibsonphotography]

Great Video Johnny

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks Paul 👍

[@trailwayt9H337]

I am enjoyed your videos of train riding and other journeys So beautiful. Very excellent presentation.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thank you. Very kind of you 👍

[@garrytuohy9267]

I didn't know that Shipley was surrounded by three Stations. It would be interesting to see what they have done with the old Seaside Station in Morecambe.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Shipley is kinda one station with platforms on each wing of the triangle. I did go in the pub at one end of the station, but it was pretty busy with families, so i didn't want to wave my camera about..

[@PeteG143]

So much packed into one video, the industrial heritage, railway heritage and countryside beauty of England (not to mention the seaside and rain). Some of your best work Johnny Hoover. Thank you again.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thank you so much. 😊

[@haddockman30]

Loved the Brief Encounter reference at Carnforth.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

You know me. Can't resist a gag or pun 😀 Thanks for watching 👍

[@WINGSANDRAILS]

Looks like train travel in UK is endless. Such a great train country. Gotta go back soon

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Haha yes. As a local I sometimes forget how many interesting lines we have! Do come back 😀

[@WINGSANDRAILS]

@@JohnnyHooverTravels YES you need an outsider to tell you LOL!!

[@Timstravels01]

Yet another fabulous video. I was completely unfamiliar with the Bentham line, so thanks for bringing it to my attention. The research you put into your content is outstanding.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks Tim. 👍

[@davidmccammond456]

👍

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@katashworth41]

I visit Morecambe fairly often (though by bus as I can catch a direct service) as there’s an excellent second hand books shop on the front (The Old Pier).

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Oh thanks for that! And thanks for watching 👍

[@andrewdalton3361]

Lovely video as always but oh my going all the way to Morecambe and you didn't video the town's favourite son. Well his statue... Eric Morecambe

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes, that was an error. Should have ended the video with Eric... Thanks for watching 👍

[@Fan652w]

Johnny; thank you very much for a very interesting and informative video. Perhaps it should be entitled 'Faded Grandure' I am not in to station architecture in the way you are, but (perhaps because I have lived in Nottingham for over fifty years) I do like Charles Townley's work. I was slightly disappointed with the Brief Encounter at Carnforth station. I did not see a clock!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes that could be a good title. You do remind me that Nottingham station could be an excellent start point for a future video as it is quite a classic! Thanks for watching another 👍

[@phronsiekeys]

Wow that Hellifield station is beautiful, what a nice glass and iron canopy.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes it is great. I have never got out there, but i really should!

[@terryosullivan2620]

Hi Johnny Ax always great trip I have a place for you to vidit,maybe you've been before. The train world in Scaerbeek ,Brussels 1 stop from Brussels centraal. Great visit.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Oh thanks for that. I will add it to my list for next time i am around Brussels 👍

[@TheAshoku]

Mr Hoover, your vlogs are informative, which makes me look forward to watch them. I also feel that unlike other vloggers, you focus very less on onboard train amenities, which is good as it does not trivialise your content.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

I'm pleased you like my style. We all have different styles, and yes, i probably spend a little more time looking outside of the train than inside of the train like others in the same genre... however, it just shows that we can all have different personalities on KZbin that reflects the subtle differences in our interests. Thank you so much for watching and enjoying what i do 👍

[@VVellieMan]

Great video as always Johnny. Nice to see some UK action again! By the way it's the Bingley Five Rise Lock system, unless its lost a couple since I last visited...!

[@colingreenwood231]

There's a 3-Rise as well as the 5-Rise. So Johnny was correct.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Haha! But, as Colin also comments, there's a three and a five... Thanks for watching 👍

[@01tk69]

Thanks Johnny for sharing another great trip !!! I'm just curious to know what the inside of Midland hotel looks 😄

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks! Tim Dunn went inside on his architecture the railways built series. You can still get it on streaming services.

[@liamburke1741]

Brilliant video, I love this line. When we use to holiday at Morecambe ,we used this line a lot. Used to go to Wennington and walk to the villages of Tatham, and Wray (for Wray scarecrow festival). Thanks for bringing back some good memories! 👍

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

You are very welcome! Thank you so much for watching along 👍

[@pattokchannel]

An Isle of Skye video would be nice. You asked for ideas…

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

I will try and fit one in. I planned a trip over the bridge when i went to Kyle of Lochalsh, but the storm stopped me going any further! Thanks for the ideas and thanks for watching 👍

[@librarian16]

It wasn't the railway that killed the canal. Well after WWII there was quite a lot of coal traffic up as far as Skipton but the summit teneded to have water supply problems in summer. I started trainspotting at Bingley station about eighty-five years ago.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Ah thanks for that. Very interesting. I had no idea the traffic lasted so long. When i get a minute i shall read up on that, as I'm not so good on canal history

[@BIGV710]

at clapham there used to ba a junction with the line to tebay diverted from that side you was on it joined up with the west coast railway was a diversion where in 1965 the leeds to glasgow train was sent as snow blocked the settle carlisle line

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Ah yes. I have had a closer look, and as you say, that is where the Ingleton line starts. Excellent point 👍 Thanks for watching 👍

[@kevinellis8869]

Another beautiful line, you had marginally better weather than when we travelled just after the end of Covid restrictions. Like you we were using a Rover ticket although ours was the North Country one which allowed us to travel both sides of the Pennines. Keep up the good work showcasing the best of Britain using the railways.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks Kevin, very kind of you. I shall continue as I enjoy making them as much as you enjoy watching them! 👍

[@christinehodge3608]

Good video, thank you for sharing, 😊

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

No worries. Thanks for watching 👍

[@melturn5654]

Great trip Johnny very informative

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks. It was fun making it. Thanks for watching too 👍

[@TravelJackJourneys158]

Fantastic video I did that route myself a few weeks ago I timed it right so I could do the daily service to Heysham Port. The train I got came from Selby to form the Morecambe service which came is useful for me

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes, my timings did mean i missed that extra ride to Heysham. I probably need to go back to ride the ferry. Thanks for watching 👍

[@Sim0nTrains]

I stayed overnight in Morecombe once and had a KFC in the Disused Station as a area of the old building is a KFC, great video and it a nice route the Bentham Line

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks Simon. You sure know how to line it up! Nights in Morecambe and trips to KFC 🤣 Best wishes 👍

[@ampersand.]

Thank you for yomping out in the wet to show us the even wetter briny and the lovely substantial station :) Incidentally, we leave a comment on JHT videos most times - does commenting in fact help the channel? Have a great weekend.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks, as ever, for watching and commenting. Wrt "likes and comments help". I'm not so sure. My guess is that the KZbin algorithm is most interested in what you watch, rather than how much you engage. Obviously if you subscribe, you get the channel videos in your subscriptions feed, but I suspect most users view directly from their home feed, which is curated by the KZbin algorithm, which is looking at what you watch and what others like you watch. However, whatever the KZbin impact of comments, I'm very pleased to hear from viewers in the comments. You are all very kind and often add some very useful content or indeed put me right where I've gone wrong or give me ideas of things to do. For example, as a result of some comments I decided to remove the tune at the start with the opening shots of the whole story and just dive straight into the video.

[@horsehollerer]

Morecambe doesn't quite have the beauty (or climate!) of the Brienzersee, but is nonetheless charming. What a shame they closed the seafront station .... looks like an absolute stunner. Cheers for another great watch! P.S. Were you not tempted to do a little Eric Morecambe skip next to his statue? 🤣

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

I did go inside the station (as part of it is a pub) but it was quite busy and i didn't think it correct to point my camera around. As for Eric Morecambe... yes i should have popped along to his statue. Would have made a fun place to end the video! Best wishes and thanks for watching another 👍

[@Football.0321]

What platform is it please from Leeds to morcombe I’m going this Friday

[@eaea2332]

British railways stop in much more stations intercity, therefore take more time.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

More stops does usually mean more time for sure. Thanks for watching 👍

[@hhgttg69]

how many post covid?

[@RobinPalmerTV]

What a lovely route though I think I'd be taking a few travel cushions with me for those seats. We really don't do seat padding anymore do we?!

[@ampersand.]

Maybe because so many folk these days wobble around with their own ample padding? 😉

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Interesting with these ironing boards... thing is, the older seats have more padding, but there are still as many as the ironing boards in the coach. So, i reckon you get more legroom on the trains with the skinnier seats, even if it is a harder seat. Ideally i would prefer an extra coach thereby meaning you could have lower density seating, but hey 🤷‍♂️ Thanks for watching and for the comment 👍

[@AtlanteanAN69]

I hope you called at the Tite & Locke pub on Lancaster station (platform 3). I'd have called down and bought you a pint if I'd known you were in the area.By the way like many non-locals you mispronounced Heysham as Hay-sham instead of Hee-sham which is the correct pronunciation. If Geoff Marshall can pronounce it correctly, then anyone can. Regards Ian.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Haha no! I missed a good station pub!! 🥲 I will try and remember the Hee-sham pronunciation for next time I'm in the area. Thanks for the heads up. And thanks too for watching and for the kind offer of a beer 👍