Preamble
Hi, I'm Chuffer,
One of the Hug Railway Club bears, and a proud member of the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway.
Dad had returned from his usual Monday visit to Elaine's Tearooms at Feizor, and came into the room saying, "Chuffer I have been promising myself and you and your pals to visit and ride the Embsay Railway, for ages, but other things somehow got in the way. Well, they are running trains tomorrow and we are going for the ride."
"Oh thanks Dad", I replied.
"Great"cheered Higgy. "It's sure to be a good time."
Scooter piped up, "I remember you and Dad, being invited to ride in coach YDR8, because Dad sponsored a seat, to help with the restoration."
"Oh yes pal. Dad took some pictures too."
Well Chuffer, you should make the first part of the story about that day", stated Dale.
YDR8 Carriage Launch - 23rd September 2022
Arriving at Embsay...
...I asked, "will you take my picture on that seat?"
"There's YDR8 Dad. It was so good of you to sponsor the seat, that has helped towards the restoration. Thank you so much."
To the right you can see the engine is attached. No.7 Beatrice, and I hopped up to be in the picture. I told Dad, "the locomotive was built by the Hunslet Engine Company in 1945, to work at the Ackton Hall Colliery Co. at Featherstone near Pontefract. It was named there after the colliery manager's daughter."
When we got to Bolton Abbey later, Dad was able to take this shot of the inside of the cab.
Making our way to the carriage, I boarded, having been told our seat number was 30.
"Look Dad, there's the board listing the sponsors."
"Please take me sitting on the seat Dad."
"OK."
We sat opposite Mary and Cathy, mother and daughter, who were excellent company and there was lots of chat on the journey to Bolton Abbey Station...
...and return to Embsay.
During this Dad enjoyed lovely fish and chips, prosecco J2O and cake. I had a my share too, especially the cake!
Rob Shaw chair made a speech thanking the people who had worked to restore the carriage and the sponsors. A truly magnificent job has been done and a credit to all the hard work! He then came round to thank everyone personally. He remembered Dad and me and that we live near him, as he lives in Hest Bank. He recalled that Dad had supported a number of appeals over time. We all got a certificate to recognise our sponsorship.
"Thanks for a super time Dad"
"Aye lad. Glad I made the effort to come and bring you too."
Finally Cathy kindly took this picture of Dad and I, to round off the account of the celebration.
Chuffer and pals visit 14th October 2025
My pals and I were excited as we settled in the car for the journey. It was about 09:00 as we headed for the Bay Gateway at the start of the drive. At the second roundabout Dad did an about turn.
"What's wrong", cried George.
"I've forgotten the camera. Vital to have that to record the day", replied Dad. "I wonder if I'm getting forgetful."
"No", stated Dunstan, emphatically. "It is just that you have so much on your mind."
Leander said, "the delay will mean it will be unlikely that we will get train we planned."
"Yes", I replied. "But getting the later train will still allow us to get off at Bolton Abbey, then get the last train back."
We arrived around 11:00. From a while ago, being a member, I had some complimentary tickets so we all got free travel.
Come on pals, we'll sit on that seat to wait for the train.
We excited comment and conversation with the volunteers, and one who was interested in photography, kindly took us with Dad.
He lives near Ripon. Being into photography, Dad chatted about that and also the area around here he lives that Dad had visited long ago with Uncle Brian.
Dad then took us with our membership cards.
So let me introduce my pals. From the left,
Scooter (member Bluebell Railway)
George the Guard
Dunstan (member Aln Valley Railway) with little Leander
Me
Summer (member East Lancashire Railway)
Higson (member North Yorkshire Moors Railway)
Dale (member Wensleydale Railway)
Dad then went to take some pictures around the station.
"The footbridge will be a good place to get some shots", I called out.
Here looking to the engine and carriage sheds with the line between being that to Bolton Abbey.
This close-up of the signal box.
Seeing Dad turn around, Higson said, "he's taking the station. We'll be in the picture too."
On the opposite platform he was able to get this of the plant sales building.
There is a waiting shelter on platform 2, seen after Dad had recrossed the footbridge.
George said, "that flower tub is worth a picture, Dad."
"There's locomotive no.7 Beatrice", pointed Dale.
"Oh yes. That's the engine that hauled our train when I came for the YDR8 launch."
Soon the train arrived. It was full of a coach party from Scotland. We attracted lots of attention, particularly from the ladies, and Dad explained about us. One lady put her Irish teddy with us and took a picture. Others took pictures as well.
So we boarded Dad finding his allocated seat. The train was not too busy and we settled on the seat opposite.
The whistle blew, and off we went gently riding through the lovely countryside on the 20 minute or so journey.
Sitting opposite were a lady and gentleman who lived in Newchurch. We heard them talking about being able to break the journey.
Dad said, "excuse me, I could not help overhearing. It is possible break the journey but you will have to re book a seat at Bolton Abbey."
"Thank you", the gentleman replied.
Actually there was more chat with them, both on the train and later at Bolton Abbey. The gentleman is a keen walker, like our Dad, and they talked about their experiences from he past. They were intrigued by us and Dad explained and about our large Hug, collected since 1981.
Slowing the train pulled into the station at...
"Time for lunch for you Dad?, asked Summer.
"Aye lass, we'll make straight for the cafe."
Here of course we sat out, while Dad had a sausage roll, sandwich and tea. Dunstan said, "we can have our picnic on the return journey. There are sandwiches and Grizzly and Little Eric have made cakes."
The engine driver and guard came in Dad snapping this.
Shortly the train departed for Embsay, so all was quiet here.
Lunch over, Scooter said, "don't forget to re book for the trip back to Embsay."
"No lad, that's the next job", as we made our way to the beautifully appointed booking hall.
Now going to the shop, we came across this old cigarette machine.
"Wow", said Dad. "This harks from another era altogether. 6 old pence (2.5p) and a shilling (5p), and would, I guess have dispensed a pack of 10. This is without doubt a vintage example. Long banned and from the time before smoking was realised to be such a threat to health."
Wandering round the shop Dad bought a birthday card for Aunt Lou.
Emerging onto the platform, I suggested, "let's sit on that bench until the train arrives, and meanwhile Dad can take some pictures of the station.
Dad crossed to platform 2 by the foot crossing to get this excellent picture of the station buildings.
I told my pals, "there has been some refurbishment recently with new cladding. It is almost finished apart from that one gable end. The signal box too is in the process of restoration."
These goods wagons and guard van stand on the far side of platform 2.
Dale called out, "Dad the train is coming. Get across the line."
He did and then lined up this shot as it approached.
We then waited while the engine ran round, and slowly approached the carriages.
Summer said, "built in 1943 as Hunslet works no. 2890 this austerity saddle tank entered service with the War Department. It then operated at different locations including the National Coal Board. It was privately preserved in 1976. In the late 1990s, it was converted to a tender locomotive to run as Douglas from Thomas the Tank Engine. After various stints at different heritage railways it returned to Ribble Steam in 2017 and in now based the the East Lancashire Railway."
"Thank you", I said.
"Your welcome. Being a member of the ELR I have been reading up about the locos etc."
"Hey Chuffer", called out Dale. "Why don't you sit on the engine."
We did not have far to walk to board the train as our seat was right at the front of the first carriage behind the engine, and we settled down, to enjoy our picnic.
A gentleman was sitting on the opposite side of the carriage and Dad chatted with him during the return trip.
He told us, "I live in Embsay, and do the trip about once a month. The train ride combined with a walk to and from Bolton Abbey and the ruins etc. I usually have a snack at the cafe in the village."
"What a nice idea", replied Dad. "A gentle ride and some exercise."
Gently we pulled into Embsay, and that was it.
"We've had a super time", cheered Higson.
"It's been a pleasure to take you all. Glad you enjoyed it", I replied. "Thank you Dad from all of us for the day out."
"You are welcome, we must make sure to do it again next year."
As we headed back along the A65, Dad said, "I'm going to call in at Elaine's."
However when we got there the tearoom was closed, but never the less we parked. Elaine was wondering who it was, until Sue spotted Dad, saying, "it's Gerry."
They let Dad in telling him they had closed early as it had been a particularly quiet afternoon. The made tea and Dad had a slice of cake, while chatting for quite a while with Elaine.
As we drove on home Dad, said, "I don't get to chat with Elaine so much now, so it was lovely to catch-up."
My pals and I had had a super day, and I hope you have liked reading about it.
Best wishes and hugs.
Chuffer
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