The Lost Scarborough & Whitby Railway - Part 1/3

The Scarborough & Whitby Railway was closed in 1965, as part of the infamous ‘Beeching Cuts’. Although many people would like to see the railway line reopen, it’s unlikely to ever happen.
I took a walk along the old route over 50 years after the last train ran. Now called the Cinder Track, it provides a walkway & cycle route of 21 miles for the public between Scarborough & Whitby. During this video, I take a look at what’s left of the route between Whitby and Hawsker, including the old station houses and impressive Larpool Viaduct.
(Many thanks to Neil Cholmondeley & John Turner for their help with research and permission to use their archive material.)
USEFUL LINKS
Brakevan to Whitby DVD (archive video of the line) - amzn.to/3f6jhx4
Book train travel to Whitby - prf.hn/l/7QA4jA2
Hawsker Station Self-Catering Railway Carriage - www.trailways....
Bagdale Hall Hotel -www.bagdale.co.uk
Train simulator of journey between Whitby Town & West Cliff via Prospect Hill - • DMU Whitby Town to Wes...
Official Cinder Track website - www.scarboroug...
MY PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT
Camera - amzn.to/3uKpoMu
Tripod - amzn.to/3uFsce1
Drone - amzn.to/3wMw9yQ
Memory card - amzn.to/3uGVVmL
Music - tinyurl.com/kk...

[@martymartin2894]

It amazes me how those structures were built yrs ago the sheer height of that bridge and the spectacular brick work is amazing. Id be scared walking across it though im scared of heights.

[@regcotterill7332]

I'm the same but the viaduct is sufficiently wide enough and the walls high enough so that although you are high up you don't feel exposed.

[@James-gf9jl]

A history lesson that's easy on the eyes and ears.

[@keyboardwarrior2812]

Lived in Whitby all my life. Great music and great video a pleasure to watch.👍👍👍

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks! 👍🏼

[@70053morayfirth]

What a planning mistake to build houses under the south end of the viaduct. A great video.

[@EddiePunched]

Nearly five hours to get from Whitby to Scarborough by train. WOW!

[@rgibbfan]

Watching today from a wet and windy Sussex, your video has brightened my day. Thank you!

[@Wandering1500]

Cycled the whole cinder track in early 2019. Scarborough to Whitby and back. I was knackered by the time I got back to Scarborough. The gradients around Robin Hoods Bay and Ravenscar are killers, and the formation was very bumpy in places!

[@bazbuncher6948]

It was a wonderful journey sadly Bastardised by Beecham. I had the joy as a young boy of traveling on this trip about 4 times which it was still there.

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

Excellent commentary from you Andrew

[@paulwalker9262]

Absolutely brilliant films can't get enough well done hope there's going to be more all the best for 2023

[@dunkydunky796]

Fantastic last scenes, could never understand why the Larpool viaduct was closed to public until about ten years ago

[@ianmcmanus5088]

a absolute shame the line cant be reopended

[@09weenic]

Yeh - why can’t it be reopened?

[@ianmcmanus5088]

@@09weenic too many new builds over the line ie sainsbury’s and tunnel been filled in roads built over the line

[@chrisnewill]

My aunt and uncle lived in Cloughton, the line ran close to the bottom of their garden. I remember as a boy watching the old steam trains climb out of Cloughton towards Hayburn Wyke. Later, after the line was closed (but before the rails were removed) I walked much of the line myself. An absolutely beautiful route, a pity it will never re-open.

[@sharynkhan1104]

Fantastic video. We walked this route in may 2022 the weather was sunshine, rain and sleet and hailstones. Beautiful views from the viaduct though.

[@andrewpickard3230]

We walked down from Hawsker to the viaduct on Jubilee day 1977. At that time the viaduct was fenced off. But the cinder track was good for walking. I have always loved the Whitby/Robin Hoods Bay Area. I need to come back soon.

[@TonyCarnell]

Absolutely fascinating walk through some beautiful scenery, and the drone footage was exceptional. Can't wait for next episode 👍

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Cheers Tony. Thanks for commenting.

[@dave710]

It's really interesting. Funnily enough, I travelled across the viaduct on a train from RHB. 1963/4 I also saw the last train pull out from RHB on its way to Whitby - sad!

[@Steve-qz4vt]

Excellent video, especially with the old photos and films of the running trains. Did this walk a few years ago and will be repeating it soon. A joy to watch and will check out the rest- just love this area.

[@TheJohnscot]

I remember travelling on the Scarborough to Whitby staying in a Camping Coach Robin Hood's Bay in 1964.

[@fennecfox8623]

I walked the Whitby to Robin Hood’s Bay section of the Cinder Track last summer (2020) during a rare break in lockdown. Fantastic route - thanks for bringing back the memories :)

[@alanstone8880]

Well done very good, walked the whitby to robin hoods bay track 48yrs ago & stayed at rhb youth hostel lovely memories

[@alisonshaw7165]

Cycled it years ago, throughly enjoyed it

[@stevenpryce7808]

Going to walk from Whitby to Hawsker in the summer on this old line 👍

[@terryansell6641]

We have been to Whitby by train and had fish and chips, I would love to walk over the viaduct .thank you from New Zealand

[@jamesbrook16]

Also is a great bike ride. We parked in the supermarket car park in Scarborough and cycled to Whitby and back - which meant we got our fish and chips half way through! About 40 miles in total.

[@NIGELOWEN1957]

Stumbled across your videos and found them fascinating - you really should be on TV ! Your knowledge and presenting skills are top-notch.

[@mikeedwards6162]

Let us hope that the line never reopens or that would be the end of the fantastic cinder track walk and cycle route

[@simongleaden2864]

Very interesting video, especially with the old photos. I've walked or cycled all of the path between Whitby West Cliff and Scarborough at some time or other. The Cinder Track is a great visitor amenity and the owners (Scarborough Borough Council I believe) can be proud of what they've made of it. It seems amazingly steep going up to Ravenscar from the north, so it's no wonder trains used to struggle a bit. It seems to be one of those railways that was built during the railway building boom but never really made any money for its investors. The cost of the Larpool viaduct must have been immense: I doubt if the line ever paid back the costs of building it. With having to reverse the train at both ends of the line in order to get into Whitby Town and Scarborough stations, it must have been a somewhat slow journey end-to-end. Wonderful scenery though, especially on a sunny day. Thanks for making this video and putting it on KZbin.

[@RichardWells1]

Compelling watching! Absolutely fascinating walking tour of Whitby's old lines, with some excellent archive material, superb photography, helpful research and great narration. Bring on the next episode!

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Cheers Richard. Part 2 should be coming this week.

[@chrismccartney8668]

And those stations made for some superb housing at least..

[@freespeechforever]

What's not to like about this video? Been to Whitby a couple of times in more recent years and traveled on the NYMR. I think you're right about the volume of people visiting this part of Yorkshire, last time I was here Whitby was jam packed! Lovely town though and, as others have said, great to see the historical photos as well.

[@yorkslad9589]

Excellent video. I'm by no means a railway enthusiast but this line holds special memories for me because as a kid the day trip on the train from our home in Scarborough to Whitby was our summer holiday. We looked forward to it every year until the line closed. Thereafter it was the bus with the twists and turns over the beautiful North Yorkshire Moors but it was never quite the same. All these years later I still regularly walk parts of the 'rail trail' as we oldies call it. ( to me the 'cinder track' does not do it justice)

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thank you.

[@keyboarddancers7751]

You've provided us all with a wonderfully presented and important document, sir. I rode this track on my bike yesterday as an excellent day's workout as part of the Thornton Dale-Whitby-Scarborough triangle.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks! That’s a great route! I’m hoping to do a Pickering-Scarborough video to complete the circuit at some point.

[@will_levitt926]

I’ve been to Larpool Viaduct 2 or 3 times I believe, great view of Whitby Abbey and the railway line to Grosmont.

[@michaeltee5453]

Thank goodness their are people like you and KZbin who can relate the history of this line. Many thanks for taking the time for producing this video

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks Michael.

[@mikecondon9576]

Another great video and helpful explanation of the rail network around Whitby from the past. It has helped me understand and appreciate both the historic network and the current day use.

[@boblnman5015]

In the early 1950/s - I was in the Boys Brigade and traveled on a special train to Staithes via Beverly, Bridlington, Filey, Scarborough, Whitby then Staithes from Sheffield. Stopped in the WW2 Radar Camp on the right before you go down into the village, now a car park. Had a great time, swimming in the harbour, and Runswick Bay after hiking there and back. Must have been about 11yrs old ?

[@Tiffy552]

Remember visiting Whitby 40 years ago by car and the first view of Larpool viaduct took my breath away.

[@rjcraine]

The drone shots of the Larpool Viaduct are fantastic. One of my favourite places in the world. I walked part of the line on a family holiday 30 years ago, but didn't get get chance to do the full route. Came back in 2019 and cycled the full route south to North with my wife, son and dad. Was a memorable day out after taking 20 something years to get round to it!

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks - and that's a great story! I'm glad you did manage to get back to it.

[@keithparker5103]

Bighead here! I can beat all those who have walked or biked the Scarborough to Whitby railway route. I did it both ways behind 80118 in September 1957. One of the best train rides I ever took.

[@alancarter9710]

Hi Andrew. Fantastic 3 vids. Superb. JFYI As a kid I stayed in the Camping coaches at RHB for one week. Was back in early 60's. We had no car. Travelling up and down the coast on that very line. Including Brid & Filey (all Diesel's then, no steam) Walked most of the ''Cinder path'' in past few years with my wife. Thanks again. Alan

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Cheers Alan!

[@roboswin5568]

Great video of the old railway, love the larpool Viaduct and the old pictures of the working railway 😁

[@mariehudson1257]

Thats brilliant journey very interesting to go back and see how it used too be

[@MrAsBBB]

Great work. In years ahead we won’t have to look at out of focus cine films ( although they are fun) we will have this gorgeous camera work to look back on. We have to document what was around before it’s completely lost. Keep up the good work.

[@nigelleyland166]

I'll be sixty three this year, hopefully! Been visiting Whitby .Robin Hoods Bay nad Scarborough all my life.Only now do I find out about this, off to part two then.

[@andysinclair1161]

A great video with some cracking drone footage. Lovely historic photos too - wonderful stuff. I've travelled the line from Pickering to Whitby by steam & also travelled the line up towards Middlesbrough.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Cheers Andy.

[@fulwell1]

What an absolutely brilliant video! I've not been to Whitby in around 30 years sadly but would love to return (hell, I would love to live around that way, such a beautiful part of the country with wonderful people!) - it was so good to see it, and the quality of your footage is astounding. Thank you. I look forward to the next one!

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thank you.

[@paulsimnett]

Hi Andrew, I love your videos. We stumbled on the cinder path a few years ago when we were staying in Whitby for New Year, as I have just stumbled on this video after watching the one of The Grand Hotel in Scarborough. I also really enjoyed your videos of Butlins in Filey, all great places that we love to visit regularly. The quality of your videos is second to none and I love your informative, yet down to earth presentation, well done and thank you. 👍

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks Paul. Really appreciate your comments and glad you're enjoying them.

[@diwarburton5369]

Fabulous views. I love the mix with the old photos and I also like the backround music.

[@StellarFella]

Introduce yourself to the world of RECUMBENT TADPOLE TRIKES. They are the absolute bomb for travelling parts of this trail. Especially for seniors. Two world class recumbent trikes are from your area of the world. One is HP Velotechnik from Germany and the other is ICE Trikes in Falmouth, England. Try to test ride one and you will be hooked. They have pedal assist electric motors that are quite useful going up hills and extending the range of your ride. I can see many group rides using them on this Cinder Trail and would love to see a tourist business arise around them. The world of recumbent trikes opens up an entire world of exploration you are great at keeping alive. Thanks for these excellent videos.

[@benhoward5470]

Very good episode. Always loved that part of the world. Many summers spent camping in RHB and walking the line to the beech.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Cheers Ben.

[@antheafrasergupta3353]

I love your films!

[@paulahey3641]

Well done, I,m right there with you. Doug Hey

[@markwell4720]

Wonderful High quality filming and music Pleasant commentary Well done!

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Cheers Mark 👍🏼

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

Extremely interesting and well crafted video, with thoughtful commentary. Thank you.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks Malcolm.

[@TicTacToe3511]

As a child ( probably around 10 years old) my friends and I would open and close the gates at hawsker near and between two caravan parks we earned a few pennies those days I was always sorry when I heard that the line had closed …Peter Sutton originally from Sadberge near Darlington now 76 and retired in Armadale Western Australia

[@tominnis8353]

Thank you for an exceptionally well produced and informative video. I have just walked the section between R H Bay and Ravenscar - absolutely stunning. The line was still in situ here in 1968 when we visited from Scarborough. A remarkable feat of engineering; its closure was a criminal waste . . .

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks Tom. The next part is up this evening and covers the section you walked.

[@laurenceskinnerton73]

It should be reopened!

[@stevejones9740]

Hi Andrew. Thank you for creating this superb vlog. Brilliant videography, drone footage, photo transitions, commentary and music selections - absolutely superb. I've loved this part of the North Riding since walking the Cleveland Way as a schoolboy in the early 70s. In the early 80s I was privileged to have been involved in the decommission & demolition of Whitby Gas Works, whilst working as a Chemist for the North Eastern Gas Board (NEGAS). We used a specially chartered locomotive on the Esk Valley line, from Larpool to Whitby Station, to move some equipment & chemicals from the site, and used the very same footpath via Bog Hall for day-to-day access to the works. Your vlog brought back many happy memories of this time; thank you. Just a few days ago, I was on the Cinder Track & Cleveland Way between Robin Hood's Bay and Hayburn Wike, via Ravenscar, so I'm really looking forward to the next installment. Thanks again and, please, keep it up.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks Steve, I really appreciate those comments! Part 2 will be up in a few days.

[@MrAsBBB]

Simply love it

[@desmondjamesleggett990]

well produced. I'm in the mist of making my model railway based on "Sandsend" with tunnels and viaduct. as you know this line was 16.5miles long and the history of this line is incredible. one day i'll pay a visit to the area.

[@peterdavies8397]

Thank you so much for this. I will complete walking the Cinder Track next week for the second time in recent years, each time doing it as a series of circular walks incorporating the Coast Path. However each time I've started / ended where the Cinder Track starts / ends and had never thought about going beyond that to Whitby / Westcliff stations. Obviously I'll have to do that now!

[@georgiedunn697]

Brilliant video. Well put together and some real breath taking scenery. All the hard work was worth the effort

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks Georgie.

[@wolvoman1]

We dont miss it until its not there anymore, sadly just memories and present day, bought into one. Thanks.

[@EngelsNederfiele]

Really pleasant format, easy on the eye and the ear, informative with good back history and supporting photos, keep it up!

[@Yorkie-9668]

Brilliant, my old play area while growing up in the 70's and early 80's, I went to Caedmon School and played on Larpool Viaduct all the time, great memories

[@Northfacebloke]

Great footage,music and research. Nice one mate. Whitby is my paradise.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks - glad you enjoyed it.

[@TheMrduuk]

Superb I want walk that next time icome to moors later this year love mymr and been whitby

[@sebastiangethin7586]

Looks like an incredible route - I was in this area for the first time just a few weeks ago, did a bungee jump from Larpool Viaduct and got incredible views!

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks for the heads up on the bungee jumping! I've just been having a look into it, I had no idea.

[@nicokleinbeck6971]

Excellent video….I used to live in Whitby before the houses were built at Larpool, also had a fishing boat tied up down there…great to see it again after 30+ years….such a great place and great fish n chips. Live in the south of France now, not the same thing.🤣

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Cheers Nico!

[@JohnAdams-kc8wx]

Thank you ! I’ve never visited the area, you have inspired me to do so. I’ll come by train!!

[@marton349]

Brilliant video. We have went the other way from rhb to whitby. You could still see sleepers in the ground when we went a few years ago. They have resurfaced some now so gone forever I guess.

[@HeroAntagonist]

The drone shots were great

[@mrwilliamwhizz]

Very interesting and very well narrated, excellent pictures, I will be browsing through all your stuff over next few days.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Cheers Richard!

[@lizzieburton5276]

Wow i stumbled zcross your chanel by accident ,& im mighty glsd i did! Your tours take me round my favourite parts of the Uk. Having family in Whitby, going on family holidays in Filey, Scarborough etc & i love the North York Steam Railway too. Your drone shots are spectacular. Thank you

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks Lizzie. It's a stunning area!

[@bobbyshafto3259]

Top class video and very interestingly narrated. We walked from Whitby to Robin Hood's Bay recently,it's a fantastic experience.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks Bobby!

[@douglasbarber506]

That was just superb,looking forward to the next instalment.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks Douglas.

[@blackpool321]

I was camping at Robin hoods bay September this year and walked miles along the Cleveland way and also the cinder track , definitely going back next year. Thankyou for this informative video.

[@andysnashall6140]

Great video. Great shame the routes were closed. Especially to Malton on the main line to York!!!

[@rolandlaycock3472]

Great walk

[@jimboBFC1]

Stunning video, especially the information given and that drone footage of Larpool viaduct is breathtaking. I love the history and architecture of the railways. It fascinates me how they built the line on such challenging terrain. This video certainly gives you an insight, without a doubt. Keep up the great work 👍

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks Jimbo. I could spend a full day getting drone footage of Larpool Viaduct!

[@wendyshaw5658]

Fantastic video shots. I lived at Ruswarp by the Lapool Viaduct. I live in Devon now, but am always hankering back to that area. The video is so beautifully made and nostalgic at the same time. Well done and I look forward to seeing many more of your wonderful walks.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks Wendy.

[@reinhard0069]

Wonderful. So many great memories of holidays on the Yorkshire coast as a kid with my family. Sadly only me left now. Also really strange how much you look like me!

[@lauriemulrine1882]

Great photography and very informative.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks Laurie.

[@lisaosborne7970]

we live 10 minutes away and will be going, well done to you guys.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Cheers Lisa.

[@georgedane-f6l]

excellent video. very upmarket presentation.beautifully done and a billion times better than anything on that box in the corner.keep up the good work

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it 👍🏼

[@macstyle2012]

I did the long way around from Scarborough to Whitby in the early 1990s. Cost me just over £25 for a single. I remember when asking for the ticket in the ticket office, and being told that I cannot do that route so had to explain which way I was going. Took half a day, then just over an hour to get the bus back from Whitby.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Brilliant! I think quite a few people must have done it over the years.

[@YorkyOne]

Came across this video purely by accident a few minutes ago and purely by coincidence my son and his wife are walking the Cinder Track from Robin Hood's Bay to Whitby as I type. Also, you walking from Whitby to Scarborough makes sense as it is all downhill :)

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks for commenting! It would have been an easier walk if it was all downhill, but the steepest section of the line is from Fyling Hall to Ravenscar up Ravenscar Bank. I cover it in part 2 :)

[@timpearson5086]

Thanks for producing this video. I saw the cinder track in 1982 and vowed one day to return to walk or cycle the whole length. Then in 2009 circumstances finally made it possible. My favourite cycle ride on a disused line, and second favourite cycle ride anywhere. Second only to a lap of Kielder Water. Fascinating to learn about the history of the line.

[@dubyerf]

Stayed in the cottages by Larpool Viaduct a few times. Went exploring on the river bank last time and found an old brown bottle dated 1934. Love that place. Something special about it.

[@chrismccartney8668]

Great Video well edited and informative I like the fact you took the time to chat with current owners as some current owners feel at times like animals in the zoo enclosure.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks Chris.

[@brrob8108]

Excellent, well made and informative video. Did a lot of sea fishing at Whitby and stayed at the Duke of York up Church Lane

[@JINNYJANNY]

Massive thank you to you x this is excellent viewing x well done x

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks Jan.

[@paulbaker8003]

Great drone footage and very interesting 👏🏻👏🏻

[@pauljohnson4525]

Fantastic

[@davehanson7764]

Great video, we have walked this line a few times, I remember Whitby Westcliffe station when it wax derelict which it's been restored very tastefully into housing now .

[@mwsparky2]

Excellent video,, most enjoyable And lovely drone shots... 10/10

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks Michael.

[@daveattrill2712]

Great video mate. Only made it as far as Hayburn Wyke on my explores to date. Nice to see the old signal box at Scarborough still stands. Keep it up with this!

[@c1p1moore]

I am so pleased I found your vlogs👍 They are brilliant particularly this Scarborough Whitby part 1&2 cannot wait for ep3👏 So interesting & giving me impetus to visit the area 😘Thank you sir keep up the excellent work😉Tip Top

[@KHANTRAVELoffical]

O my friend may God bless you. You have given me happiness. I visited Whitby a couple of years ago with my wife and now she has passed away. You have refreshed all memories by showing Whitby in a most beautiful way. Thanks a lot.

[@pjay3028]

"phew, that was a little longer than I expected" 😂😂. Yeah, right. We all know you just ran straight across the tracks, off camera....! 😮😮

[@2009numan]

what a fantastic video and some great ariel shots I live in Middlesbrough and travelled to Whitby and Scarborough loads of times in my work

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks Kevin.

[@will_levitt926]

I’m from Middlesbrough as well