The Wensleydale Railway is a standard gauge (4 feet 8 1/2 inches) heritage railway connecting Leeming Bar and Redmire in North Yorkshire, England. The nearest National Railway station is at Northallerton. Wensleydale Railway used to run to Northallerton West at Springwell Lane, 1.37 kilometres from the National Rail Northallerton station but ceased that connection in 1918. The line is presently 16.7 miles (26.8 kilometres) in length laid along a relatively level grade through typical English countryside with five stations located at Leeming Bar, Bedale, Finghall Lane, Leyburn, and Redmire.

As early as 1846 construction of a railway between Northallerton and Bedale was authorized and within two years a line was operating between Northallerton and Leeming Bar, then named Leeming Lane. By 1856 track was open from leeming Bar to Bedale for passenger traffic. An 11 1/2 mile extension from Bedale to Leyburn paid for by landowners was authorized in 1853. A line off the Settle and Carlisle at Garsdale was authorized in 1866 for construction eastward to Hawes with the gap between there and Leyburn authorized in 1870. Finally, in 1878 a complete route from Norhtallerton, through Leeming Bar, Bedale, Leyburn, and Hawes to Garsdale connected today's Eastcoast mainline at Northallerton with the Settle and Carlisle at Garsdale. Goods and passenger traffic on this single track branch line continued along the whole route until 1954 with passenger traffic between Garsdale and Hawes continuing until 1959 when this section of the line was closed. By 1965 track from Hawes to Redmire was lifted with several bridges being demolished. Freight traffic had basically ceased along the remainder of the line by 1982 with a few excursions run to Redmire which prompted renewed interest in a passenger service.

The Wensleydale Railway Association (WRA) was formed in 1990 with the intent to restore passenger services on the remainder of the line. The Ministry of Defence showed interest in the line for transport of armoured vehicles between Northallerton and Redmire so they paid for restoration of the track with the WRA forming the operating company, Wensleydale Railway plc (WRC). In 2003 Railtrack, the successor to British Rail, leased the line to WRC for 99 years. Leeming Bar and Leyburn station opened in 2003. By 2004 Bedale, Finghall, and Redmire stations were also open. In 2010 a passing siding was installed near the halfway point enabling 2 train operation.

In 2014 service was commenced east of Leeming Bar to a new station at Northallerton West, however a grade crossing accident caused this section to be closed in 2016.

It is WRC's intention to extend the line west from Redmire to connect once again with the Settle and Carlisle line at Garsdale but this is threatened by the sale of Aysgarth station and trackbed to a private individual.

Below is the Wensleydale Railway timetable for 2019. Check their website for the current version. The coloured dates in the top section indicate the days of the month that trains operate. There is no service on white days. The bottom section shows the times for a particular coloured day. On blue days a special timetable is in effect while Santa trains run on the red days. Click on the timetable to view a larger version.

This video, shot mostly with a hand held camera, shows a September 2018 visit to the Wensleydale Railway including a trip behind British Rail Class 33 diesel number 33035. The disjointed trip begins at Leyburn, travels to Redmire then back to Leeming Bar reversing to Bedale and ending at Leyburn station - Sep 2018 Vidographer unknown.

23 May 2003 - Wensleydale Railway Already Looking to Growth

14 Dec 2006 - Railway Lovers to be Given Chance to Drive Diesel Trainn

1 Nov 2007 - Major Advance for Wensleydale Rail Dream

27 Sep 2012 - Wensleydale Railway Volunteers Upset at Bedale Flower Vandalism

2 Oct 2012 - Wensleydale Railway Reveals £250,000 Plan to Extend Line

19 Nov 2012 - Railway Fined After Health and Safety Breaches Lead to Collision Between Train and Car

11 Oct 2013 - Owner of Big Sheep Little Cow Visitor Centre in Bedale Found Guilty of Trespass

27 Apr 2014 - Scruton Station on Wensleydale Railway Reopens After 60 Years

15 Jun 2015 - Wensleydale Railway Calls for Help to Keep it on Track

18 Oct 2015 - Wensleydale Railway to Buy Bridge to Allow Aysgarth Link

25 Aug 2017 - Plans to Sell Aysgarth Station Spark Fears for the Future of Wensleydale Railway

9 Sep 2017 - Wensleydale Railway Shareholders Vote in Favour of Selling Off Aysgarth Station

15 Aug 2018 - Afternoon Tea on the Wensleydale Railway

31 Dec 2018 - New Signal Box for Wensleydale Railway

7 Jan 2019 - Appeal for History of Finghall

Wensleydale Railway

Wensleydale Railway Photo Archive

Rolling Stock Photos

Wensleydale Railway PLC

Network Rail

Wensleydale Branch, TheGoode, C.T.1980The Oakwood Press.Paperback.40 pages £3.95 (used)A nice little book that gives the reader the history of the line up until 1980. Accompanied by black and white reproductions, the text also gives outlines of other local railway schemes not pursued. There are also small diagrammatic layouts of some of the route. Speaking as one who is very fond of the area, the heritage line is very scenic and not to be missed for a very good day out. A book easily assimilated that makes the reader want to follow up in more detail. There are a few issues with the publication, print being missed, and a line being repeated are the obvious ones. Wensleydale Railway, TheHallsa, Christine S.1991Leading Edge Press & Publishing Ltd.Paperback.96 pages £9.59 (used)No review available. Wensleydale Branch A New History, TheJenkins, Stanley C.2002The Oakwood Press.Paperback.192 pages £4.20 (used)No review available. Northallerton Ripon & WensleydaleChapman, Stephen.2010Bellcode Books.Paperback.112 pages £8.94The book recalls the time when passenger trains hauled by vintage steam locomotives ran all the way from Northallerton to the Settle and Carlisle line at Garsdale. When express trains including one of the nation's most prestigious Pullman trains served or passed through Britain's 4th smallest city which has had no railway at all since 1969. When meandering branch lines, including one of the few passenger railways to escape nationalization in 1948, connected small market towns to the outside world. And when great Pacifics and Deltics ruled the East Coast main line. Railway Memories Number 23 lavishly illustrates the East Coast main line from Northallerton to the outskirts of York, the old Leeds Northern main line from Ripon to Thirsk, Northallerton, and Picton, plus the whole 44 miles of the Wensleydale line, as well as the branches to Masham, Thirsk Town, and the private Easingwold Railway.

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