Hard lines that this rail route was lost

I LOVE old railway lines and enjoy following footpaths close to them. I often write in these columns of strolls along the tracks close to steam railways.

The linear trail following the disused track between Colne and Skipton has its delights but what a golden opportunity was missed.

An article in the Evening Star (now incorporated into the Evening Telegraph) reported on January 9, 1970 that "British Rail's decision to scrap the Colne-Skipton passenger train link comes under fire today from the Railway Invigoration Society.

"The society, whose vice-presidents include Sir John Betjeman, are pledged to push the development of rail transport. They say the decision to close the Colne to Skipton line . . . is all the more disappointing because only three years ago it was among those selected to be "retained and selected so that railways can play a full part in the country's transport system."

The Evening Star was interested in the politics of railways because its name was commemorated by the last steam engine to be built.

The 1970 article is even more prophetic today when we see the state of our rail network and how crowded our roads now are. As I strolled along the old track I can see not only the beauty of the scenery but the opportunity which has been lost to provide a vital link between Lancashire and Yorkshire.

Lots of reminders remain, including the Station Hotel at Earby, now miles away from the rail service.

The old station master's house at Thornton is now a private house but remnants of old stations still remain.

I wonder what memories readers have of these old (and almost forgotten) railway lines and think like me that great opportunities were missed by successive governments.

There are, however, a few silver linings because along these long disused lines our wildlife has returned with a vengeance.

The stone which provided ballast for the sleepers has partly dissolved in the rain and provided valuable chemicals for flowers such as orchids.

Dog roses, bramble, nettles and thistles provide good for birds such as goldfinch, greenfinch, chaffinches and the occasional rarity such as brambling or bullfinch.

Mammals such as weasels, foxes, stoats and especially roe deer can wander safely without the risk of being killed by traffic. On balance, however, I am sad to see the old railways that have gone.

What a tourist attraction (apart from the jobs created) this line might have been.

In our area we already have steam railways at Embsay near Skipton, at Haworth and our own East Lancashire Railway.

Another has just opened this week at Hawes which is what set me thinking about this stretch between Colne and Skipton.

The best place to begin this week is from the bridge near the Old Colne Grammar School on the Barrowford Road.

Blakey Bottoms is still an attractive walk passing close to streams and a stretch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal toward Foulridge. I can't help thinking how good it would be if the Evening Star was still producing smoke and steam as it carried passengers across the border between Lancashire and Yorkshire.