Year Precise Date
Event
Images
More Information (links)
1839 19 October
Proposal for a railway between York and Scarborough
Idea put forward at a public meeting at Scarborough Town Hall, addressed by George Hudson and George Stephenson. Scheme approved by the York & North Midland Railway but deferred in favour of advancing progress on the Darlington to Newcastle line.
George Hudson (left) and George Stephenson (right)
Source: Project Gutenburg
1845 7 July
York to Scarborough railway line opens
The 42 mile line was constructed in only 368 days, mainly due to the unchallenging terrain. All stations and railway properties were designed by respected architect George Townsend Andrews. In homage to the noble residence of the same name, Castle Howard Station received special attention by Andrews to create with elaborate Italianate styling, one of the most imposing station buildings on the line.
One of the most imposing station buildings on the line
1850 27 August
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert arrive by train at Castle Howard Station
The Royal party stay at Castle Howard at the invitation of the Earl of Carlisle. The visit attracted many loyal subjects to see their Queen and the event was well documented by the Illustrated London News. Two days later the Queen continued her journey north by train to officially open the new Newcastle Central Station and the Royal Borders Bridge at Berwick.
Engraving illustrating the arrival of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert at Castle Howard Station in August 1850.
Source: Illustrated London News
1854
North Eastern Railway (NER)
An amalgamation of smaller companies and individual lines into a single railway company, which had a near monopoly in Yorkshire, County Durham and Northumberland. NER controlled principle stations at York and Newcastle and a crucial section of the east coast main line.
1923 1 January
London and North Eastern Railway (LNER)
As part of the grouping under the Railways Act 1921, the LNER was created to become the largest railway company in Britain, controlling a total route of 6,590 miles, including the east coast main line from London to Scotland.
1930 22 September
Castle Howard Station closes to passenger traffic
Scarborough’s popularity as a seaside destination, increases the demand for greater numbers of fast excursion express trains. To facilitate the need for faster trains, all but a few major stations on the York to Scarborough line close to passenger traffic, although Castle Howard Station is still operated for local freight movements.
1948 1 January
British Railways formed under nationalisation of railways
The York to Scarborough line is now part of British Railways North Eastern Region.
1959 2 November
Station finally closes to freight traffic
Twenty nine years after passenger services ceased at Castle Howard Station, all freight workings came to an end. For 114 years the station has served the needs of farmers, merchants, the ordinary travelling public, nobility and even Royalty.
Photograph:
Castle Howard Signal Box
© M. A. King
1960
Station signal box decommissioned and platforms removed
Now that the freight siding was no longer in use the signal box was decommissioned in 1960. In the following February, the up platform to York was removed completely. On the station building side the platform was greatly reduced in length and width, although a small section remains today to allow access to the building on its' line side.
1961 7 March
End of steam train on the York to Scarborough line ... or was it!
Diesel multiple units replace steam trains for almost all regular passenger services between York & Scarborough. However, some freight, parcels and special excursion trains on the line continued to be powered by steam up until 1967.
Photograph:
Castle Howard 24.08.61
Source: A L Barnett/NERA
1983 10 July
Evening Star locomotive pulls Scarborough Spa steam special
In 1981 British Rail started regular mainline steam-hauled summer specials between York and Scarborough. Countless numbers of famous locomotives have visited the line, including the ‘Evening Star’, the last mainline steam locomotive built by British Railways
Photograph:
Evening Star passes Castle Howard Station on route to Scarborough.
© Ray King
2004
Report published by Yorkshire Vernacular Buildings Study Group
By studying Castle Howard Station in great detail, and using documentary and oral evidence from a variety of sources, the Yorkshire Vernacular Buildings Study Group published an in-depth 61 page report recording the architectural features of the building.
The report is available for viewing and download from this page.
2004-5
Flying Scotsman – Giants of Steam
During the summer months of 2004 and 2005, the famous Flying Scotsman locomotive made regular runs between York and Scarborough as part of the ‘Giants of Steam’ railtours, organised by the National Railway Museum.
The Flying Scotsman underwent a major overhaul 2006-16 before returning to the Scarborough route in once again 2017 (see video below).
2008 4 November
Tornado’s first mainline run
For the first time since 1960 a brand new steam locomotive runs on the UK mainline. As part of its trials, the newly-built Peppercorn class A1 Tornado 60163 makes a return journey from York to Scarborough.
2017 24 June
Flying Scotsman makes a comeback
After the 'Giants of Steam' tours in 2004-5, the Flying Scotsman underwent a major overhaul 2006-16 before returning to mainline running. This photograph accompaniments a short video of the Flying Scotsman passing Castle Howard Station on the return to York.
Steam hauled special rail tours are a reoccurring sight on the line in summer months – latest details available at Rail Advent
2019 24 August
Locomotive hauled passenger trains return
New Nova 3 passenger trains on the TransPennine Express route between Liverpool/Manchester and Scarborough are unique in modern rail transport. Traction is provided by a Class 68 diesel locomotive with a rake of five new Mark 5A coaches including a driving trailer. These state-of-the-art new trains make an impressive sight on the line and each locomotive bears its own individual name plate – trainspotting anyone?
Photograph:
68026 'Enterprise' heads 5E68 05:45 Liverpool Lime Street to Scarborough.
© John Grey Turner
TransPennine Express (Wikipedia)
2020 2 June
Castle Howard Station on Yesterday TV
'The Architecture the Railways Built' is a British factual documentary series presented by the historian Tim Dunn. Castle Howard Station made a significant appearance in Series 1 - Episode 3 that first aired on Yesterday TV. This episode is available to watch on demand at UKTV Play.
Key developments, events and changes relating to the York to Scarborough railway line and Castle Howard Station. Click on the links in the right-hand column for more in-depth text or relevant online content.
More specific information about incidents that occurred at the Station or nearby can be found on the ‘Newspaper Reports’ page. This page contains published articles dating from 1845 extracted from press archives.
1930s
Waiting shed let as a holiday cottage
After the station closure the redundant wooden waiting shed on the up platform to York is let as a holiday cottage. For the next twenty years or more the holiday cottage was popular with families that wanted to explore the surrounding countryside including nearby Kirkham Priory and Castle Howard. Photograph shows a happy family from Sunderland holidaying at Castle Howard Station during the 1950's.
1964 10 July
Castle Howard Station sold by British Railways
The station buildings are sold for a sum of £1,000 by the British Railways Board to Mr Raymond Hodgson, a railway inspector. Rights of access are retained by the board via the station gate for track maintenance purposes.
1986
Station sold to present owner
Station purchased by present owner, Mr Edmund Collins. As well as residing at Castle Howard Station, Edmund also moves his vet practice to the station from nearby Welburn. Station House Vets continued to operate from this site until 2006, when it returned to Welburn and a new purpose-built premises.
1970
1979
Station administered by trust
On the death of the former owner, the station was left in trust. During a period of around nine years, the property was unoccupied.
Station sold by trust
The new private owner Mrs M. D. Collings, who commenced with vital renovation works after the building had suffered years of neglect, and permanently closed the crossing gate.
2009
Castle Howard Station online
New website opens to serve virtual passengers embarking upon a journey of discovery to find out more about this unique station.
Luxury holiday accommodation created within the property appeals to people with an interest in local history, nature and railway heritage.
1979
Station signal box demolished
British Rail demolish the redundant signal box on the south-east side of the track.
The lower round arched window frames were salvaged and stored for many years before being incorporated into the new garage on the opposite side of the track. The 'Castle Howard' name board was also saved and is currently on display at the National Railway Museum in York.