The current route of the York to Selby cycle path was part of the East Coast Main Line, until the threat of subsidence from the Selby coalfield forced the route of the railway to be changed in 1983. This railway heritage is one of four main avenues for historical research in the Railway to Greenway project. You can find out more about the history of this railway by clicking on the links below.
In the archive –
- Origins of the East Coast Mainline
- The LNER Encyclopedia
- Maps and plans of the proposed and actual rail network in the York area.
- Learn about the history of Naburn swing bridge courtesy of York RI Sailing Club.
- Some photos of the Naburn Swing Bridge – Courtesy of Naburn and Bishopthorpe Local History Groups
- Photos of Selby Bridge – a similar design – and its predecessor
- Steam to Diesel – images of rolling stock from Mallard to Royal Scot to Deltic and HST 125
- Photos of trains and infrastructure at Riccall and Escrick – courtesy of Riccall Local History Group
- Maps and plans of the proposed and actual rail network in the York area.
More historic photos and maps can be found on the page contributed by Frank Paterson – retired General Manager of the BR Eastern Region Search ‘Frank Paterson’
Also some personal memories of people who lived alongside the track when it was still in use –
- (Almost) de-railing the Royal Scot
- Siver Cross Pram
- Young Daredevils
- Friendly fire
Four folders titled “Diversion of the East Coast Main Line around the Selby Coalfield: Contract liaison meetings with British Rail,…
Disused Railways of Yorkshire is a groupof enthusiasts who explore and record the disused railways and station across Yorkshire with…
Thee photgraphs were taken by Steve Waterman whose farm sits alongside the track. See also his account of life beside…
This building is mentioned in an interview with Steve Masterman. Cattle would be driven to Copmanthorpe station (Naburn station, though…
Local film-maker Dave Thorp has created an amazing CGI recreation of trains passing through Bishopthorpe and over the bridges at…
This is a a copy of a Guardian article by A.C. Layhe, Chief Planning Officer BR Eastern Region, dated 29th…
Tim lived in Bishopthorpe as a young lad and still lives there today, using the path on a daily basis.…
Also called the Thelson Oils Bridge, the bridge was located on the old Selby-Goole line. The railway opened in 1907…
Malcolm worked at Riccall station in the 1950’s. He remembers the 7:00 AM Rowntree train which went from Selby to…
A ‘Station Master’ (Actor Chris Cade) tells the story of the closure of the old East Coast Main Line as…
This account has been provided by Linda Halewood of Bishopthorpe’s Community Archive Since I have run the Bishopthorpe Community Archive,…
This item refers to a petition signed by 71 citizens of York supporting a Bill to permit further railway development…
