WITH regard to the article and photograph in Tuesday’s Press about the three-quarters of a mile linear garden at Alne, I’m surprised the reporter could only say that the garden was once a “private railway track” without telling readers which line it actually was.
The line was indeed privately owned – the Easingwold Railway – but was very much a public service linking Easingwold with the East Coast Main Line at Alne Station (the actual junction was immediately to the north of the extant overbridge at Alne).
The line served both passengers and freight ,with agricultural traffic, sugar beet and incoming coal. Day-old chicks were once taken by rail to Alne, where they were transferred to main-line trains for delivery across the country. The railway had a dedicated bay platform at Alne; passenger services ceased in November 1948 and freight in December 1957.
A little-used siding was provided at Crankley Lane level crossing about half-way along the line and I wonder if that is where the former gatekeeper’s cottage is located.
Easingwold Station was destroyed by fire in 1967 and a housing estate occupies the site. Further information can be found in Stephen Chapman’s book, Railway Memories No. 23 (Bellcode Books).
James Bettley Portal Road, Acomb, York.
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