Platform end at Hedon Station, looking east. (former Hull - Withernsea line) March 2018March 2018
HISTORY:
The Hull and Holderness railway was opened in 1854, linking the city with the tiny coastal town of Withernsea. Like its rival Hornsea route, it served to develop a link for getting holidaymakers to the East Coast of Yorkshire as well as facilitating agricultural movement across the Holderness plains and surrounding areas. The seventeen mile long line had many local stations along its route, stopping off at Southcoates, Marfleet, Hedon, Ryehill & Burstwick, Keyingham, Ottringham, Winestead, Patrington and Hollym Gate. As popularity - and population in Withernsea's case - boomed, the North Eastern Railway who had taken over the reins in 1860 doubled the single line in part. The line saw up to fifteen trains a day taking passengers to the coast which continued as far as the 1950s while an extra station opened at Hedon Racecourse, later Hedon Speedway Halt. As with many other cushy little lines across the UK, road traffic had started to steal people away in the post-war decade and the curse of Beeching enveloped just a few years after diesel services were introduced, although Hedon Speedway and Hollym Gate stations were already gone by now. The last trips to Withernsea came in 1964 for passengers, and 1965 for goods, and the track was removed three years after, having being briefly truncated beyond Hedon.
TODAY:
The route is now a footpath and bridleway in most part although the three mile section beyond Winestead is somewhat less than accessible with farms and factories having developed across it in the decades since the railway died. The route is mostly all-weather path as far as Marfleet - be warned that beyond Ryehill and Burstwick, wellies are strongly advised.
Most stations survive fantastically intact with platforms at Hedon and Ryehill & Burstwick in particular retaining clearly visible brickwork while at the former, a set of stone steps leading up to the signal box has been retained. Two level crossings along the route have been left with their rails in situ, and there are also the stone supports of a footbridge at Marfleet to watch out for.
Platform end at Hedon Station, looking east. (former Hull - Withernsea line) March 2018March 2018
HISTORY:
The Hull and Holderness railway was opened in 1854, linking the city with the tiny coastal town of Withernsea. Like its rival Hornsea route, it served to develop a link for getting holidaymakers to the East Coast of Yorkshire as well as facilitating agricultural movement across the Holderness plains and surrounding areas. The seventeen mile long line had many local stations along its route, stopping off at Southcoates, Marfleet, Hedon, Ryehill & Burstwick, Keyingham, Ottringham, Winestead, Patrington and Hollym Gate. As popularity - and population in Withernsea's case - boomed, the North Eastern Railway who had taken over the reins in 1860 doubled the single line in part. The line saw up to fifteen trains a day taking passengers to the coast which continued as far as the 1950s while an extra station opened at Hedon Racecourse, later Hedon Speedway Halt. As with many other cushy little lines across the UK, road traffic had started to steal people away in the post-war decade and the curse of Beeching enveloped just a few years after diesel services were introduced, although Hedon Speedway and Hollym Gate stations were already gone by now. The last trips to Withernsea came in 1964 for passengers, and 1965 for goods, and the track was removed three years after, having being briefly truncated beyond Hedon.
TODAY:
The route is now a footpath and bridleway in most part although the three mile section beyond Winestead is somewhat less than accessible with farms and factories having developed across it in the decades since the railway died. The route is mostly all-weather path as far as Marfleet - be warned that beyond Ryehill and Burstwick, wellies are strongly advised.
Most stations survive fantastically intact with platforms at Hedon and Ryehill & Burstwick in particular retaining clearly visible brickwork while at the former, a set of stone steps leading up to the signal box has been retained. Two level crossings along the route have been left with their rails in situ, and there are also the stone supports of a footbridge at Marfleet to watch out for.