Funeral Train from Ilkley to Scholemoor Cemetery 1902?

[ricky1]

Hi Charlotte

http://www.peacefunerals.co.uk/Railway.html


ricky

[charlotteCH]

Thank you ricky  ... I knew we needed a train buff

So it would seem it was a specially commissioned train, paid for by the family...which I assume had to be scheduled to run in time available between the ordinary trains- and this then  went off the main line near Bradford to a special line that lead into Scholemoor Cem.

What I posit above assumes that in 1902 the arrangements are similar to those offered on your link... many assumptions there.

charlotte

[kiwihalfpint]

Maybe Ricky has this in mind for his

Night catch you later.


Cheers
KHP

[dave the tyke]

Hi Charlotte,
I knew this topic would generate lots of interest.
The nearest train station to Scholemoor cemetery was on the Bradford to Halifax line at the Bradford side of Beckside road. I do seem to remember a platform that served Baird Television and the mill, at the other side of Beckside Road. From there it would be about a mile to Scholemoor cemetery, there was no branch line so I would imagine a horse drawn carriage would be used.

Dave

[charlotteCH]

Hi Dave,   
So the funeral train would have left from Ilkley Station, gone into Bradford and then onto the Hx line and pulled into the station near Beckside Rd. The coffin and morners would have got off the train and then travelled the last mile to the Cem and graveside by horse drawn carriage... and done the reverse on the trip back.
Is that how you'd think this all went in 1902?

charlotte

[dave the tyke]

Hi Charlotte,

I don't see any other way unless the funeral train was routed from the Ilkley line onto the Halifax line. I think that it might even have involved a change of station in Bradford  . The rail network was far bigger then than now, it might even have been possible to go the other way round i.e. Ilkley, Skipton, Keighley, Halifax, Bradford.

One alternative would have been a train from Ilkley to Bradford then a horse drawn hearse travelling the 5 miles or so to Scholemoor with the mourners following on foot or perhaps in horse drawn 'charavans' .
There are wide aisles at Scholemoor so carriages, hearses and so on would be able to drive right to the grave side.

There was a web site dedicated to 'underground Brittain' where there was a lot of older railway information, try Google it.

Bradford T&A as well as the Observer might have reported the funeral, if so then the staff at Bradford Library might be able to help you.

Dave

[charlotteCH]

Dave thanks for that info,
Unlikely the last 5 miles was on foot as it was mid February and probably snowing. So either by train or they would have had a stack of carriages at the station.
I have a report from the Bradford Observor 17/2/02  and there is a long list- many dozens- of men named as attending the funeral and the train trip is mentioned- it says - and I hadn't noticed this detail- " The remains were afterwards[after the service at my grandparents house in Ilkley] conveyed by train to Bradford."

  In the Obit published in the same paper 4 days earlier it says" The funeral takes place at Scholemoor next Saturday".
So when it says train conyeying my grandfather's body to Bradford it may be loose use of terminology and Braford = Scholemoor.

What's the Bradford T & A please?

charlotte

[Calverley Lad]

The Bradford T & A is the Telegraph and Argus. (The local Bradford paper)
 Regards Brian

[dave the tyke]

Charlotte,
a question - did the 'many dozens of men' attend the funeral service or did they actually travel to Scholemoor ?

There was mention in an earlier post of the charges and who paid.
Where did your grandfather work ? perhaps his employer paid if he was in a senior position a partner perhaps.

Dave