HULL TO SOUTH HOWDEN (Ex Hull & Barnsley Railway)
30th June 1955. Last day of service. G5 0-4-4 Tank 67282 propels it's Autotrain from Wallingfen on the Hull Paragon to South Howden service.
Photo by Neville Stead
Stations on the Hull to South Howden Service:
- Hull Paragon
- Springhead Halt
- Willerby & Kirkella
- Little Weighton
- South Cave
- North Cave
- Wallingfen
- Sandholme
- North Eastrington Halt
- South Howden
Autotrain about to depart from Willerby & Kirkella for South Howden in the mid 1950's
Some facts and figures:
In 1880 The Hull, Barnsley & West Riding Junction Railway and Dock Company scheme passes Parliament.
The railway and docks open for passenger and goods services in 1885.
Agreement between H&BR and NER in 1899 to construct a joint dock in Hull.
On 30th June 1905 officially renamed as "Hull & Barnsley Railway Company" and through running to Sheffield commences.
King George V opens the joint H&BR and NER dock in 1914.
Through services running to Sheffield end in 1917.
In the Pregrouping of 1922 the H&BR amalgamates with the NER.
Cannon Street terminus closes in1924. All passenger services run into Hull Paragon Station.
Springhead Halt opens for passengers in 1929.
Mathew Stirling (H&B Chief Engineer) dies in Hull in 1931.
The LNER withdraws all regular passenger services West of Howden in 1932. Sentinel Railcar service introduced.
G5 0-4-4T Autotrains replace the old Sentinel Railcars in 1941.
The British Railway system is nationalised in 1948.
1955 sees the last day of regular passenger services. The last train is worked by G5 0-4-4T No.67337. (Occasional summer excursions to Bridlington and Football specials to Hull City matches ran from South Howden until 1958.)
All through goods traffic is withdrawn in 1958. Only the daily pick up goods between Hull and Carlton Towers remains.
1959, The line between Wrangbrook junction and Little Weighton officially closes. However, trains continued to run for a short time to collect timber stored at North Eastrington.
The goods service between Little Weighton and Hull is withdrawn in 1964.
At the present day, only the Hull overhead line to the docks and Saltend Refinery, and a short section to Drax power Station remain.