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THE JOURNEY
Where do your trains go?
Do you have steam trains?
Why don’t your trains go to Northallerton?
How do I reach the Wensleydale Railway by car?
How do I reach the Wensleydale Railway from Northallerton?
Can I follow the original route of the Wensleydale Railway?
Can I drive one of your trains?
TIMETABLE AND FARES
Do trains run every day?
How often do your trains run?
Are Family Tickets available?
Are there discounts for groups?
FACILITIES
Are refreshments available?
Can I buy a souvenir of my trip?
Where are there toilets?
Are your trains accessible to wheelchair users?
Can I bring my dog? Or my bicycle?
What else is there to do in Wensleydale?
OTHER QUESTIONS
If you have any question that is not answered on this page, please e-mail the website editor.
THE JOURNEY
Where do your trains go?
We currently run trains between Leeming Bar (near the A1) and Redmire (on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park), a 17 mile trip that takes approximately 50 minutes. Trains stop at Bedale, Finghall and Leyburn on the way. You can find out more about the journey on our Journey page.
Our trains normally comprise heritage diesel railcars from the 1960s. Lovingly restored, they have large windows and a great view of the line ahead if you sit behind the driver. There are also occasional freight trains and regular works trains. (This means that trains can run at any time and in either direction, day or night. It is therefore very important that people never trespass on the line or the trackside.)
Do you have steam trains?
We will have steam-hauled trains from 15 August to 7 September. You can read more details here.
In addition, from time to time a steam-hauled excursion train visits our railway.
Why don’t your trains go to Northallerton?
Currently it is necessary to catch a connecting bus between Northallerton and Leeming Bar. This is because the passenger train service from Wensleydale to Northallerton ceased during the 1960s and the platform at Northallerton station serving our line was demolished to make way for a car park. The track into the station from our line was also lifted. We are currently developing plans for restoring services to Northallerton to make the important link with the East Coast Main Line and the hospital, shops and college in Northallerton - see the Northallerton page.
In the meantime, we run occasional trains to Castle Hills Junction, where the Wensleydale Railway’s track meets the national network. There is no platform there so it is not possible to alight, but it is possible to see the route of the South Curve, which needs to be restored to allow our trains to reach Northallerton. Look at the Special Excursions page for details of trains towards Northallerton.
If you would like to help us to restore services to Northallerton, please join the Wensleydale Railway Association (WRA). You can find out more about the WRA, and download a membership application form, from the WRA website.
How do I reach the Wensleydale Railway by car?
If you are coming by car, especially on the A1, the most convenient station to use is Leeming Bar, which has a free car park. There are also free station car parks at Leyburn and Redmire. You can find out more information on our Coming by car page.
How do I reach the Wensleydale Railway from Northallerton?
Connecting buses from Northallerton are shown on our Timetable page. Buses start in Northallerton town centre and there is also a bus stop on the main A684 road opposite the railway station. The journey from Northallerton to Leeming Bar takes approximately 15 minutes. You can find more details on our Coming by bus page.
Can I follow the original route of the Wensleydale Railway?
The closed railway line between Redmire and Garsdale is private property, and there is no right to walk upon it except along the few sections where there is a public right of way.
But between March and October you can take the Wensleydale Vintage Bus from Redmire to Hawes and Garsdale, following the route of the railway for most of the journey. In the morning the bus goes as far as Hawes, but in the afternoon it continues beyond Hawes all the way to Garsdale station. This enables you to spend two hours in Hawes over lunchtime and then continue on the bus to Garsdale; alternatively you can spend over three hours in Hawes and catch the bus on its return journey to Redmire, where the train back to Leeming Bar will be waiting. The bus operates on Tuesdays (which is market day in Hawes), Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
Can I drive one of your trains?
Yes you can!! Sign up for one of our Driver Experience courses and learn to drive one of our diesel multiple unit trains, or buy a gift token for someone else.
TIMETABLE AND FARES
Do trains run every day?
Trains do not run every day of the year – see the timetable for full details. Broadly there is a daily service during school holiday periods (including half-terms), and a weekend service in the winter months. In spring and autumn, during periods when there is not a daily service, there is generally a service on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
How often do your trains run?
On days when trains are running, trains run approximately every two hours and there are normally three return journeys each day. However, on certain dates (noted in the Diary of Events) an additional train operates.
A special timetable will operate from 15 August to 7 September when some trains will be steam-hauled. You can read more details here.
Are Family Tickets available?
Discounted Family Tickets (two adults and three children) are available. You can buy Day Rover tickets entitling you to a whole day’s travel on our trains. Alternatively, we offer normal Single and Return tickets. You can see our range of tickets on our fares page. (Different arrangements may apply on Special Event days including Steam Specials and Santa Specials.)
Are there discounts for groups?
Discounts are available for groups of eleven or more, and you can book a carriage or even a whole train. Smaller groups may like to arrange for exclusive use of the front compartment of the train, for up to twelve people.
FACILITIES
Are refreshments available?
Refreshments are available in our buffet coach at Leeming Bar station, where you can buy hot and cold drinks, sandwiches and light refreshments. In Leyburn hot and cold drinks are available in the station teabar together with a selection of savoury snacks, sandwiches, cakes and confectionery. There are also plenty of cafés, pubs and restaurants within walking distance of Leyburn station.
You can also buy hot and cold drinks, newspapers, snacks and crisps from our newspaper kiosk at Northallerton station - and, at times when the kiosk is open (normally 6 am to 3 pm, Monday to Saturday), if you present your Wensleydale Railway ticket on the way home, you are entitled to a free tea or coffee while waiting for your main line train.
Can I buy a souvenir of my trip?
We have shops at both Leeming Bar and Leyburn stations which stock a wide selection of railway and transport-related products, local maps and also souvenirs of your trip on the line. In addition we sell a number of branded items including the Thomas the Tank Engine range. The shop at Leeming Bar is in a lovingly restored railway carriage.
A guide to the Wensleydale Railway is available for only £2.99. It is available by mail order so you can buy it in advance of your trip.
Where are there toilets?
There are toilets at Leeming Bar and Leyburn stations, and in the centre of Leyburn and Bedale. There are also toilets on the trains. Baby-changing facilities are available at Leeming Bar station.
Are your trains accessible to wheelchair users?
Our trains date from a time before dedicated wheelchair spaces but they have plenty of accommodation for wheelchair users in the guard’s compartment. Ramps are carried on all trains and you will always find our friendly train crew willing to offer help. We regret that we do not currently have any accessible toilets.
Can I bring my dog? Or my bicycle?
Dogs and bicycles are both welcome on Wensleydale Railway trains free of charge (one dog per paying adult; one bicycle per passenger). There is no need to make reservations for bicycles.
What else is there to do in Wensleydale?
There are loads of things to do! See our Wensleydale information pages for full details of local attractions, Sunday buses and walking.
There are other ideas (and train times) for trips on the railway on our Group Bookings page.
Leyburn Tourist Information Centre (01748 828747) can provide local information on attractions and accommodation. It is open seven days a week in summer and six days a week at other times of the year.
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