Photos show surprisingly intact remains of rail line

These photos show the surprisingly intact remains of a rural branch line which once served picturesque towns and villages in the North York Moors.

Railway engineer and writer Gareth Dennis photographed the old track from the Nunnington to Helmsley sectionoftheGillingtoPickering line, which closed in 1964 – though passenger services stopped running in the early 1950s.

Mr Dennis suggested that the current condition of the route would lend itself to being converted by Sustrans into a walking and cycling trail.

The line linked up to the Thirsk and Malton line at Gilling and the busier line between York and Whitby at Pickering.Therewerestations at Helmsley, Kirkbymoorside, Nawton, Nunnington and Sinnington. Most of the station buildings survive and are now private houses.

Mr Dennis said: “I spotted/ made use of this fine multispan arch bridge that took the oldNERHelmsleybranchover the Rye near Nunnington. It looks structurally sound, but the parapet copers and pilaster capstones could do with some love.

“Also, despite its legal status, much of the route remains intact between what's left of Nunnington station and Helmsley. It would be a useful link for Sustrans North to take charge of!”

Other structures along the line including a viaduct, signal boxes, bridges, signage and railway cottages are all still visible. Some remains of the Helmsley Station platforms can also still be seen. The only station to have been demolished is Kirkbymoorside.

Old bridges are also still visible. All photos courtesy of Gareth Dennis

Some of the old trackbed is now private land.

The trackbed mostly crosses farmland.

Much of the trackbed remains intact.

The tracks were lifted in the 1960s.