Area Events
CIRO North-East Family Day
Paul Snowden – CIRO North East Area Council
Members and their families were hosted by the North East Area Council to a family day at the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway .
The railway was part of the former Midland Railway route from Skipton to Ilkley and stretches four miles from Embsay to Bolton Abbey , delighting around 100,000 passengers yearly . The adventure kicked off with family members riding on the 1903 LNER Autocar .
It was the world ’ s first , restored by dedicated railway enthusiasts . Although the participants faced a hiccup when the Autocar experienced an electrical fault earlier in the week , the railway team swiftly arranged for a Class 37 locomotive to pull them along to ensure they had a seamless and enjoyable experience .
At Bolton Abbey , there were refreshments and an engaging introduction to the preserved railway . Members of the restoration team shared fascinating insights into the Autocar ’ s restoration journey , followed by a delicious buffet lunch and ample time to explore the area .
On the return trip to Embsay , members had the exciting option of riding the Autocar again or hopping on a steam train . Back at Embsay , they delved deeper into the railway ’ s operations with exclusive tours of the carriage and restoration sheds and a visit to the signal box .
The 31 members and their families had a fantastic day mixed with history , companionship , and pleasant weather . They thanked the railway team , especially the Autocar restoration crew , for their warm hospitality and dedication to making their day special .
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