BREAKING NEWS: Steam trains pick up passengers at Woodlesford for the first time in over 40 years!
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On 20 July 2010 a steam hauled train stopped to pick up passengers at Woodlesford for the first time since 1967. The train was the Scarborough Spa Express which arrived at 1155 and stood for a few minutes before heading off towards Methley and its next stop at Castleford. The scene brought back memories of the Devonian and the Thames Clyde Express which ran non-stop through the station on the Midland main line, and of the steam stopping service between Leeds, Cudworth and Sheffield. This summer's special trains run to York and Scarborough on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays until 2 September, plus Monday 31 August. They arrive back at Woodlesford at 1955. (Photo by Stephen Ward, Rothwell Record)
The station opened in 1840 as part of the original North Midland Railway, one of the first long distance railways in the country running between Derby and Leeds Hunslet Lane. The line was designed and engineered by George and Robert Stephenson and built by railway navvies working for a number of contractors. In 1844 it was absorbed into the Midland Railway and in 1923 became part of the London Midland and Scottish Railway Company. On the creation of the nationalised British Railways in 1948 the railway through Woodlesford became part of the London Midland Region but in 1957 was moved into the North Eastern Region. Throughout the early part of the 20th century the station had a thriving goods business with coal trains from the nearby Water Haigh colliery, and sidings serving George Armitage's brickworks and Bentley's Yorkshire Breweries. There was also parcels traffic for the Rothwell Urban District and homing pigeons were dispatched by fanciers to all parts of the country. The photo above shows the station staff in the latter part of the Midland Railway period.