Thornton railway station

{{Other uses}}

{{short description|Disused railway station in West Yorkshire, England}}

{{use British English|date=March 2017}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}

{{Infobox station

| name = Thornton

| status = Disused

| image = Thornton railway station 03.JPG

| borough = Thornton, City of Bradford

| country = England

| coordinates = {{coord|53.790760|-1.863580|type:railwaystation_region:GB|display=inline,title}}

| grid_name = Grid reference

| grid_position = {{gbmapscaled|SE090327|25|SE090327}}

| platforms = 2

| original = Bradford and Thornton Railway{{Butt-Stations|page=229}}

| pregroup = Great Northern Railway

| postgroup = London and North Eastern Railway

| years = {{Start date|1878|10|14|df=yes}}

| events = Station opened

| years1 = {{end date|1955|05|23|df=y}}

| events1 = Station closed for passengers

| years2 = 28 June 1955

| events2 = closed for goods

}}

Thornton railway station was a station on the Keighley-Queensbury section of the Queensbury Lines which ran between Keighley, Bradford and Halifax via Queensbury. The station served the village of Thornton, West Yorkshire, England from 1878 to 1955.

The station had an island platform and was very close to the {{convert|300|yd|m|adj=on}} 20 arch Thornton viaduct which spans the Pinch Beck valley.{{cite web|title=Thornton conservation area assessment|url=https://www.bradford.gov.uk/media/2510/thorntoncaa.pdf|website=bradford.gov.org|publisher=Bradford Council|access-date=10 March 2017|page=11|format=PDF|date=October 2003}} It opened for passengers in 1878 and closed in 1955.{{cite web|title=Disused Stations: Thornton Station|url=http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/t/thornton/index.shtml|website=www.disused-stations.org.uk|access-date=15 January 2016}}

The viaduct, closed off for many years, was reopened in 2008 as part of the Great Northern Walking Trail{{cite news|title=Thornton viaduct set to open|url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/3833554.Thornton_viaduct_set_to_open/|access-date=15 January 2016|work=Bradford Telegraph and Argus|date=10 November 2008}} after it had been safety checked and the former railway bed was sealed. No other parts of the former large station building remain. The site has been occupied by Thornton Primary School (previously Royd Mount Middle School) since 1977.{{cite web|title=Thornton reopens as traffic-free route|url=http://www.forgottenrelics.co.uk/bridges/thornton.html|website=www.forgottenrelics.co.uk|access-date=15 January 2016|date=21 November 2008}} The original goods platform and a large retaining wall are still visible and have been incorporated into the school's grounds design.{{cite web|last1=Haywood|first1=Jo|title=Thornton - the real birthplace of the Brontes|url=http://www.yorkshirelife.co.uk/out-about/places/thornton_the_real_birthplace_of_the_brontes_1_2836583|work=Yorkshire Life|access-date=9 March 2017|date=4 October 2013}} The viaduct is a grade II listed building,{{cite web|title=Thornton conservation area assessment|url=https://www.bradford.gov.uk/media/2510/thorntoncaa.pdf|website=bradford.gov.org|publisher=Bradford Council|access-date=10 March 2017|page=23|format=PDF|date=October 2003}} and is unusual in that it has an 'S' shape to accommodate the natural contours of the valley. It is in a picturesque location that has remained unchanged since its construction. The final trip by train over the viaduct was in 1966, by a goods train.{{cite book|last1=Bairstow|first1=Martin|title=The Queensbury Lines: Part two: The Great Northern Railway in the West Riding|date=2015|publisher=Bairstow|location=Farsley|isbn=978-1-871944-44-0|page=98}}

The original 'Thornton' platform sign was a large concrete affair, some {{Convert|16|ft|m|0}} long. This is on display at the Industrial Museum at Eccleshill on the outskirts of the city of Bradford.

{{Disused Rail Start}}

{{rail line|previous=Queensbury|next=Denholme|route=Great Northern Railway
Queensbury lines |col={{GNR colour}} }}

{{end}}