A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE LINE

The Elsecar Heritage  Railway is laid upon the former Elsecar Branch of the South Yorkshire Railway, which opened in 1850. The single track line ran from Mexborough to Elsecar via Cortonwood, crosssing the Dearne and Dove Canal by lifting bridge. The line was originally brought into use for the transport of mineral traffic and also served the collieries, ironworks and other local businesses.

Despite the mainstay of its traffic being freight, the line also found fame due to its close proximity to the large Wentworth Woodhouse estate of the Earl Fitzwilliam. The Earl Fitzwilliam ran private trains on the line from his own covered station at Elsecar. He often ran trains from his Elsecar station to the Doncaster races, and The Earl even operated trains for the Prince of Wales (Later King Edward V11) during his stays at the Wentworth Manor house. Also around Elsecar and Wentworth are situated the Wentworth follies which were also constructed by Fitzwilliam. These include Hoober Stand, which offers panoramic views to as far afield as York on a clear day. It is open on selected Sundays and Bank Holidays through the Summer.

The line eventually went out of use in 1984 when the Cortonwood Colliery ceased production, the section to Elsecar having closed some years earlier.

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Elsecar Railway 2011