Hunmanby Railway Station in Winter
Below are a series of photographs in Hunmanby Railway Station and on the Yorkshire Wolds in Winter.
The Great Freeze in the Winter of 1947
The photographs above and below are believed to be from the Malton-Driffield line near to Burdale, about 18 miles from Hunmanby, when Winters were Winters: As well as the heavy snowfall, and the depth of the drifts, they also show working conditions at the time. Rail Staff have no High Visibility protective clothing, they are shovelling by hand, and will be going home, after a long arduous shift, to no double glazing or central heating. The railways were vital to the country keeping goods and people moving, there were no motorways. 75 years ago, far more people worked on the railway, wages were often poor, hours long. Britain was slow to phase out the dirty steam engine, while it is easy to look back with rose tinted glasses, it was a hard life, which effected many a person's long term health. The railways needed to cut costs, with the expansion and rapid improvement to the road network. This was especially so in rural areas, where the rail industry was in sharp decline, struggling to modernise. Though in times of adversity such as during heavy snow far more members of staff were available locally, and the railways remained a lifeline for goods and people, few working families owning a private car. More photographs welcome.
These two photographs date from the bitter winter of 1947, when many lines across the north of England were closed for weeks, by heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures. With the pick and shovel providing the main stay of snow clearance, this was hard slow work for the gangs of railwaymen that battled to keep the arteries of the country open. Some large snowploughs were used, operating back-to-back, with two or three locomotives coupled together in between. They would charge a deep drift of snow until the amount of compacted snow and ice would bring the plough to a halt. The train would then run back, only to repeat the charge again and again, until the length of the drift had been cut with snow piled high to the sides. This did of course cover the adjoining track, but single line working could resume. The views are believed to be on the former Driffield to Malton line, (closed back in 1958). Photos thanks to Shirley Franklyn. This is to contrast with the modern railway of today.
Network Rail Snowploughs at Hunmanby Railway Station. The train is being powered by 2 Class 37 diesel locomotives.
Heavy Snowfall on 15th January 2013,
An early snowfall on 30th November 2017 taken of the Station House looking towards Bridlington and Barf Farm.
Taken the same day a closer view of the 1840's North Eastern Railway's Station house in the snow November 2017
Looking North towards Scarborough, the station house following the early November snow, that fell in the late Autumn of 2017.
The mid-morning departure from Hunmanby to Hull and Sheffield approaching plaform 1, in the early snowfall of November 2017
'Hunmanby Winter Wanderland'. The Festive Lights at Hunmanby Station. They are located on the station house wall and put up each year by John & Monica. These heritage illuminations, reputedly from Blackpool, reused by Scarborough Borough Council were purchased by Karen and David the previous station house owners. Karen & David kindly donated the lights to the station house. The iron work surround of the 2 Christmas Trees will be almost 100 years old. The lights have been a feature of the station on the long winter nights for over a decade. In the festive season they are much appreciated by passengers, railway staff and visitors to the station, lighting up the dark winter nights.
For the Winter of 2020/21 as part of the 'Hunmanby Winter Wanderland' the lights have been kept up at the station, after the New Year. The 'Hunmanby Winter Wanderland' is a project organised by the Hunmanby Hub to light up windows, and give enjoyment and well-being to people walking around the village after dusk on the long winter nights, a simple project. Special thanks go to local electrician Paul Fisher for servicing and repairing the lights, who would not charge for his time. This is the link to Paul Fisher's website pjfelectrical.co.uk
It was not until mid-February 2021, that Hunmanby received the first snowfall of winter. It occurred during the 3rd English lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Photo above: 2 horses in the snow, looking towards Croom Acre Plantation, Hunmanby with Turbo Star Train to Scarborough
Photo above: The snowman created by a waiting passenger made people smile for a few days while the cold snap lasted
Photo above: winter's dawn February 2021, with little horse in the snow and Turbo Star train en route to Hull
Updated 19.10.2021