York and North Midland Railway - Construction

Construction

George Stephenson was the engineer for the line, which left York in a South Westerly direction crossing the River Wharfe at Ulleskelf. Near to South Milford the line was proceeding almost southwards, where it passed under the Leeds and Selby, with an eastward-facing triangular junction to the latter. At Burton Salmon it turned westwards to join the North Midland in a northward-facing direction between Methley and Normanton. Further branches were added to the North Midland and the Leeds and Selby.

The path taken by the line was exceptionally easy with broad curves and a maximum gradient of 1 in 484. Thus there was little in the way of earthworks, apart from a cutting at Fairburn. There were 31 bridges, the principal ones being over the Rivers Aire, Wharfe and Calder. They were of stone and two – those over the Calder and at Holdgate Lane – were built on the skew. The main problem was at York, where it was proposed to build the station within the city walls. These were pierced in such a manner as to placate the Yorkshire Philosophical Society.

The track was of straight sided pattern at 54¼ lb. per yard supported either on stone blocks or kyanised wooden sleepers. The gauge was 4 foot 8½ inches over blocks, or 4 foot 9 inches over sleepers. Locomotives were supplied by Robert Stephenson and Company and the carriages were first class, with lamps at night, second class, open at the sides, and third class without cover but provided with seats.