Rosedale Branch
Encyclopedia
The Rosedale Branch was an 11 miles (17.7 km) goods-only railway line running from Battersby Junction across the heights of the North York Moors
in North Yorkshire
, England to reach iron ore deposits in the remote hills of Rosedale
valley. It opened in 1861, and closed in 1929.
and the moorland location of the workings, a steep 1 in 5 (20%) incline was located at Ingleby, where trucks would be hauled up the slope to a height of 1200 foot above sea level using the weight of descending full wagons. When the NY&CR had been absorbed into the NER
, the NER decided to convert the line to standard gauge operations and extend the track 10 miles from the top of the incline to mine workings at Rosedale run by the Rosedale Ironstone Mining Co, whom the NER had interests in. This line opened to the west side of Rosedale
on 27 March 1861. Within a few years mining also began on the east side of the valley, and an additional branch line was run from Blakey Junction around the head of the valley to reach the new workings. The workings reached a peak production of over 560000 long ton in 1873.
The route across the moors was very inhospitable during winter months. During a severe winter of 1916/17 the line was blocked for five weeks.
, further down the valley.
North York Moors
The North York Moors is a national park in North Yorkshire, England. The moors are one of the largest expanses of heather moorland in the United Kingdom. It covers an area of , and it has a population of about 25,000...
in North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is a non-metropolitan or shire county located in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, and a ceremonial county primarily in that region but partly in North East England. Created in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 it covers an area of , making it the largest...
, England to reach iron ore deposits in the remote hills of Rosedale
Rosedale, North Yorkshire
Rosedale is a valley located almost in the centre of the North York Moors national park in North Yorkshire, England. The nearest town is Pickering located some 10 miles to the south. Rosedale is surrounded by some of the most beautiful moorland in England. To the north west sits Blakey Ridge...
valley. It opened in 1861, and closed in 1929.
Overview
The first construction of a recognisable railway along this route was in 1858 when The Ingleby Ironstone & Freestone Mining Company constructed a narrow gauge line to link existing mining operations with the North Yorkshire & Cleveland Railway at Battersby (then known as Ingleby Junction). Due to the difference in height between the junction at Battersby railway stationBattersby railway station
Battersby railway station, serves the village of Battersby in North Yorkshire, England. It is located on the Esk Valley Line south of and is operated by Northern Rail who provide all of the station's passenger services.- History :...
and the moorland location of the workings, a steep 1 in 5 (20%) incline was located at Ingleby, where trucks would be hauled up the slope to a height of 1200 foot above sea level using the weight of descending full wagons. When the NY&CR had been absorbed into the NER
North Eastern Railway (UK)
The North Eastern Railway , was an English railway company. It was incorporated in 1854, when four existing companies were combined, and was absorbed into the London and North Eastern Railway at the Grouping in 1923...
, the NER decided to convert the line to standard gauge operations and extend the track 10 miles from the top of the incline to mine workings at Rosedale run by the Rosedale Ironstone Mining Co, whom the NER had interests in. This line opened to the west side of Rosedale
Rosedale, North Yorkshire
Rosedale is a valley located almost in the centre of the North York Moors national park in North Yorkshire, England. The nearest town is Pickering located some 10 miles to the south. Rosedale is surrounded by some of the most beautiful moorland in England. To the north west sits Blakey Ridge...
on 27 March 1861. Within a few years mining also began on the east side of the valley, and an additional branch line was run from Blakey Junction around the head of the valley to reach the new workings. The workings reached a peak production of over 560000 long ton in 1873.
The route across the moors was very inhospitable during winter months. During a severe winter of 1916/17 the line was blocked for five weeks.
Closure
Due to increased costs and a falling price in the value of iron, the mines closed in 1925, but operations continued for a few years extracting the valuable calcine dust from the slag heaps. Goods traffic on the line to finally ceased in 1929. The original kilns at Rosedale West are still visible, whilst the nearby engine shed was dismantled with the stone being used for the construction of the village hall at Hutton-le-HoleHutton-le-Hole
Hutton-le-Hole is a very small village and civil parish in the Ryedale district of North Yorkshire, England, about seven miles north west of Pickering. Hutton-le-Hole is a honeypot village...
, further down the valley.