Historic Railway Tour at Embsay & Bolton Abbey

Your Visit - The Important Information

Take a return journey in historic rail vehicles of approximately one hour through the picturesque edges of the Yorkshire Dales with the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway.

The journey takes around 20 minutes in each direction, with 20 minutes at the half way station, whilst the locomotive is being turned around. During this time you are welcome to get off for a look around the station, visit our cafe and gift shop.

PLEASE NOTE - If you wish to break up your journey and come back on a later train, please check with the ticket office on the day, to ensure there is space.

Tickets are for one return trip only and do not give you exclusive use of a 4 seat table.

We do our best to run the train advertised, but in the event of an operational issue. we may have to substitute a train type at very short notice.

If you require a wheelchair space, please contact the railway to ensure we can accommodate this before booking

Please be sure to use our guide to trains below to understand what types of train run on each day.

A Guide to Our Trains

The trains we operate each day can vary, and so you can use the handy guide below to learn more about them. When selecting your train time, you can check the type of train in use that day.

1950s Steam Train

In the late 1940s and throughout the 1950s, the railways of Britain were rebuilt following terrible war conditions. Many new carriages were built which are over 60 years old today, fitted with ‘bays’ of seats next to picture windows for tourists or private compartments. We are home to approximately a dozen of the flagship type, the ‘Mark One’, and many have recently undergone spectacular restorations.

1890s - 1920s Steam Train. The Vintage set.

This train has carriages more recognisable to the Victorians than us today, crafted by skilled engineers and carpenters at the height of the railway age. You could find yourself travelling in a coach from the ‘Great North of Scotland’, one used by railway directors and engineers or another built for Princess Alice. Take your seat and imagine the people who’ve used it before - surely interesting folk.

1903 Autocar

Built before the First World War, at the height of the railway age, this special self-propelled carriage was the inspiration for many much later vehicles on our rail system. Referred to as an ‘Autocar’, it worked around North Yorkshire in its later life before being preserved as a holiday home!

The vehicle was restored by the 1903 Electric Autocar Trust, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and is lavishly fitted out inside - a far cry from similar trains today. Since its return to service on our line, it has been highly acclaimed with awards won and much press interest.