History Timeline

Year	Precise Date	Event	Images	More information
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	George Hudson George Stephenson York to Scarborough Railway

1845	7 July	York to Scarborough railway line opens. All stations and railway properties were designed by respected architect George Townsend Andrews. Due 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.	First day of the new railway

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	Fares & Timetable 1848 - 1850 Queen Victoria's visit to Castle Howard Extract from The Illustrated London News – August 1850

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.		North Eastern Railway The North Eastern Railway Its Rise and Development [Book] Passenger numbers 1870

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.		London and North Eastern Railway

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.		Boom in rail travel to Scarborough Passenger numbers 1900 - 1934

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.	© Ken Hoole

1948	1 January	British Railways formed under nationalisation of railways The York to Scarborough line is now part of British Railways North Eastern Region.	© myrailwaystation.com	British Railways

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.	© myrailwaystation.com	Freight working at Castle Howard Station

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.	© M. A. King

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.	A BRCW 3-car set under York station's distinctive arched roof, awaits departure to Scarborough. © David Hey	David Hey's collection o steam and diesel motive power at York during the 1950's and 1960'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.

1970		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.	© M. A. King

1979		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.

1979		Station signal box demolished British Rail demolish the redundant signal box on the south-east side of the track.

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.	Evening Star passes Castle Howard Station on route to Scarborough. © Ray King

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.

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.		Yorkshire Vernacular Building Report Yorkshire Vernacular Buildings Study Group

2004 2005		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 is currently being rebuilt in York.	cooldudeandy01 [flickr.com]	Royal Scotsman Website National Railway Museum

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 A1 class Tornado makes a return journey from York to Scarborough.	stanmarston [flickr.com]	A1 Steam Locomotive Trust Telegraph (online article)

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.