Skipton Stoppers and Limestone Trains

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Filmed on 3rd June 2021.

On my travels to Hellifield (see videos here:    • Assorted Freight and Sprinters at Hel...   and here:    • The Dalesman at Hellifield  ) I found myself with a couple of hours to spare at Skipton.

The station, which is often described as the gateway to the Dales, signifies the terminus of the 25kV overhead electrified Airedale line. It has frequent passenger trains to Leeds and Bradford Forster Square, which usually consist of class 330 EMUs (although, as you'll see in the video, the occasional class 331 EMU makes an appearance).

Skipton also signifies the start of the Grassington (or Rylstone) Branch. The 8-mile branch lines, which slowly snakes its way to the north of the town, features several daily limestone trains heading for Swinden Quarry (see our video:    • Limestone Trains on the Rylstone or G...  ). In the opposite direction, heading to the west of Skipton, are the Bentham and Settle to Carlisle Lines.

The Dalesman excursion is seen passing through Skipton on its journey from York to Carlisle. It is hauled by West Coast Railways' 47813, with 57006 bringing up the rear of the train. The train is steam-hauled between Hellifield and Carlisle, as you can see here:    • The Dalesman at Hellifield  

We see two limestone workings in this video: 6D37, the 1220 Rylstone Tilcon (Gbrf) to Hunslet Tilcon Gbrf; and 6D50, the 1124 Hunslet Tilcon Gbrf to Rylstone Tilcon (Gbrf).

Apologies for the faint 25kV hum in the background - one of the disadvantages of filming near OLE.

Footage was captured using Panasonic HC-VX1; https://amzn.to/3vJnqNJ; fitted with a Rode VideoMic Go; https://amzn.to/3rpMeIA