Below is a timeline of the stationmasters who worked at Woodlesford from its opening in 1840 until it was downgraded to an unmanned halt in 1970. This postcard view was taken in the early years of the 20th century and shows six station staff and a child posing for the photographer who took it from the siding next to the Up Line.  In the goods yard there are vans and wagons. The tall signal in the background would have been used to stop trains on the Down Line when shunting was taking place and would have been visible from Methley. Its position indicates that the picture was taken before the opening of the branch to Water Haigh colliery in 1910 when it would have been moved back down the line to protect the junction. On the platform there are several coin operated machines. One was definitely for dispensing sweets and chocolate. The other looks as though it could have been for postcards which were often used much as we use email today, although it took a little bit longer to get a reply! The gas lighting survived into the 1960s. This card is part of a collection by John Alsop of the whole of the Midland Railway system.
 

 

 Dates compiled from research by Glynn Waite of the Midland Railway Society