Wensleydale

It is a lovely valley, which changes in stages as you proceed westwards. From a wide and undulating plain around Leeming Bar to a broad and attractive valley by the time you pass Leyburn with its handy viewpoint at the Sleeve, then onwards past the surprisingly dramatic Aysgarth Falls [well, it had been raining] before climbing up into the hills, proper, it is extensive, green and sparsely populated North Yorkshire at its best.

There were no midweek trains on the Wensleydale Railway but we had a good snoop around Leeming Bar and Bedale stations. At the terminus, they were preparing for the lucrative pre-Christmas special train season - these days often described as the Polar Express rather than Santa Specials - with some energetic dance practice in the marquee and a proliferation of coloured lights. Class 60 “Tug” No. 60087 Ingleborough was unexpectedly parked up behind the carriage stock in the platform at Leeming, at the head of which was Class 33 No. 33035.

Even with no trains about, the view from the platform at Bedale of the home signal, signalbox and level crossing gates is a bit special. Leeming Bar station was opened for the York, Newcastle and Berwick Railway in 1846 and was at first a terminus for the branch from the main line at Northallerton. It is Grade II listed and boasts a classic portico entrance with some grand stone columns.