1st railway in Bradford. When?Where to?

[charlotteCH]

When was the first railway in Bradford and where was it to please?

Also, when were the railways from Ilkley to Bradford & from Ilkley to Leeds opened?

chalotte

[skimble]

Hi Charlotte

According to 'Ikley Through Time', the Midland and North Eastern Companies opened a line linking Ilkley to Leeds and Bradford on August 1st 1865.

Bradfords first railway (Leeds and Braford railway) was opened July 1st 1846.  The trains ran between Leeds and Bradford initially, with connections from Leeds to London.

[charlotteCH]

 Thanks skimble.  Who wrote that book on Ilkley and what year was it published please?
 Maybe my grandfather Charles Henry Hargreaves the architect of Ilkley Grammar school's rebuilding in 1890s is mentioned.  I'd be interested to see if I can browse the book anyhow as Ilkley is a place of great interest to me. 
So when my grandfather buillt  the house in Westvill Rd Ilkley in
c 1870 there was a train to Bradford where he had his practice. And his sons  could catch the train to school in Leeds which is what happened.
That all fits- thanks for that and I look forward to seeing if I can get hold ogf the book on Ilkley.
Thanks again,
charlotte

[skimble]

Sorry Charlotte, it wasn't a book, just a website.

www.ilkley.org/iguide/hist.htm

However, I do know there is a book called Pre Victorian Ilkley, by May F Pickles (don't know the date of publishing, sorry).

[charlotteCH]

Hi skimble,
Thanks for the url.   Have looked at the website and dates there coincide with things to do with my father's family. All most interesting.
It would be interesting to know if the train from Bradford made stops within that voyage-but then that would mean knowing its exact route. eg did it pass through Shipley for instance?

Interesting also that train trvel seems to have been relatively cheap in 19th C.  THat has come to a smart stop now.

Thanks again,
 charlotte

[skimble]

The line did stop at Shipley - at least according to Wikipedia  .  The great George Stephenson was in charge.  Here's the link - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leeds_and_Bradford_Railway

I've looked further and some of the stations in use then (Apperley Bridge and Kirkstall Forge), closed in 1965 by orders of Dr Beecham, are being re-opened in 2011.

Good to know you've been able to connect things with your family.

[charlotteCH]

Thanks for the url.  And good to know that Dr B. didn't get the last word.  Railways are a great way to travel especially around a city. No traffic delays as with buses.
Thanks for your help skimble,
charlotte