Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway
Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway is based in Skipton, Yorkshire, and offers a professional and friendly team to help you have a great time and enjoy the experiences available.
Step back into a bygone era with a visit to the award-winning Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway.
We will engage, enthuse and excite you … The sight and sound of powerful majestic steam engines, from the industrial workhorses of pits, collieries, docks and factory yards to the more glamorous locomotives which graced main lines … all lovingly restored by our team of volunteers.
We’ve got vintage Edwardian carriages, Victorian Director’s Saloons and original 1960’s slam-door stock to ride in. We’re proud of our re-built Bolton Abbey Station & the delightful Victorian features of the restored Embsay Station. The rural request-stop Holywell Halt is a wonderful place to picnic, whilst our traditionally-uniformed friendly staff will leave you with some enduring memories of a special day out.
Activities at Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway include:
- Class 37 Cab Rides
- Signal Box Experience
- Steam Driving Experience
- Diesel Driving Experience
- Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee Saloon
- 1903 North Eastern Railway Electric Autocar
- Afternoon Tea
We have also included their opening times and contact details. If you have any questions, you can contact the venue directly.
Facilities
Activities available in this location
Open Times
Contact
Bolton Abbey
Skipton
Yorkshire
BD23 6AF
Got Questions? Check out our FAQs!
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Signal Box Experience
Age Appropriate
- Children
- Teenagers
- Adults
Location
- Indoor
Have you ever thought how a signal box works?
Our railway now offers a number of Signal Box Experiences covering our two operational boxes, one being out in the countryside with no mains electric, water or drains!
See how they work and have a go at controlling the locos & trains yourself.
We have half day sessions in our Embsay Station signal box and full day sessions including Embsay Station & our remote box at Stoneacre.
The experience will include:
- safety briefing
- introduction to the box, its levers and indicators
- get a loco on or off the train at the start or end of the day
- controlling the departure and arrival of at least two trains at Embsay Station
- and at Stoneacre the control of the passing of trains
- membership for 1 year
- certificate of participation
The 1903 North Eastern Railway Electric Autocar
Age Appropriate
- Children
- Teenagers
- Adults
Location
- Indoor
Have you ever wanted to drive a diesel locomotive or our historic and unique Autocar?
We’re now offering Diesel Footplate Experience courses where you will be guided through how to drive and have a go for yourself.
We run over the full line and pull a complete service train, rather than just driving the loco only..or you will experience our unique North Eastern Railway Autocar from 1903.
This is a once in a life time oportunity. It includes
- Safety and technical session (classroom)
- Guided tour of the engine
- Two 9 mile trips driving
- A year’s free membership
- A certificate of participation
- Spaces on the train for your family
- Photo opportunities (emailed to you)
- Guard For 1 trip
- Free tea & coffee
- Free packed lunch
Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee Saloon
Age Appropriate
- Children
- Teenagers
- Adults
Location
- Indoor
Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway and Stately Trains are proud to offer the unique opportunity of a journey in Queen Victoria’s saloon.
Built for the London and South Western Railway’s Royal Train in 1885 it was altered to become Queen Victoria’s personal coach in her Golden Jubilee year, 1887. She used it to travel from Waterloo to Gosport from where she journied on the Royal Yacht to the Isle of Wight to Osborne House. Several European heads of state used the coach when making a state visit to Britain.
Following Queen Victoria’s death in 1901 it continued in Royal use for several years before being converted to a family saloon and eventually being sold as a body by the Southern Railway in 1930. From then until the 1980’s it was a home for a gamekeeper before being moved to various sites for preservation.
Restored by Stately Trains at Embsay in 2017 it is being used on special trains to give passengers a taste of 19th century Royal travel.
Passengers may enjoy an assortment of delicacies that were Queen Victoria’s favourites while sipping a glass of prosecco. This is truly a unique opportunity and passenger numbers are limited to 18 per train.
Afternoon Tea
Age Appropriate
- Children
- Teenagers
- Adults
Location
- Indoor
We’ve a full programme of Evening Eats and other food experiences to make your visit to Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway even more special. With Cream Teas, Afternoon Teas, Wine & Cheese tastings, Fish & Chip Specials, The Curry Express, Cooked breakfasts, Faulty Towers, Murder Mystery evenings, Gin tasting and Ploughman’s Lunches you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Steam Driving Experience
Age Appropriate
- Children
- Teenagers
- Adults
Location
- Indoor
Have you ever wanted to drive a steam engine?
We’re now offering Footplate Experience courses where you will be guided through how to drive an engine and have a go for yourself.
We run over the full line and pull a complete service train, rather than just driving the loco only..
The experience will include:
- an introductory booklet
- safety and technical session (classroom)
- guided tour of the engine
- a 9 mile trip firing the engine.
- a 9 mile trip driving the engine
- a year’s free membership
- a certificate of participation
- spaces on the train for your family
- choice of AM or PM session
Class 37 Cab Rides
Age Appropriate
- Children
- Teenagers
- Adults
Location
- Indoor
It’s raw. It’s powerful. It’s noisy. It’s industrial. And you'll never forget it! Experience the power of a 100-ton, 2,000hp English Electric engine and enjoy a cab ride in a heritage diesel locomotive from just £50!
- A year’s complimentary membership of the railway (worth £20)
- A day rover ticket for the day (worth £12)
- A cab ride (single) from either Embsay to Bolton Abbey (priceless!)
- Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway mug and certificate.
Please note, due to limited room, we can only take one person per trip from each station. You cannot participate in this event if you have been drinking alcohol.
We have a zero-tolerance policy with regards to being under the influence of alcohol on the footplate and you will not be admitted to the cab if you have been drinking, or appear to have been drinking. The driver's decision will be final on the day.
Diesel Driving Experience
Age Appropriate
- Children
- Teenagers
- Adults
Location
- Indoor
Have you ever wanted to drive our historic and unique Autocar?
We're now offering Autocar Footplate Experience courses.
We run over the full line and you will experience our unique North Eastern Railway Autocar from 1903.
This is a once in a life time opportunity. It includes
- Safety and technical session (classroom)
- Guided tour of the Autocar
- Two 9 mile trips driving
- A year’s free membership
- A certificate of participation
- Spaces on the train for your family
- Photo opportunities (emailed to you)
- Guard For 1 trip
- Free tea & coffee
- Free packed lunch