VISITING THE SMEATONS

 We start this post at Ryhill, where there was a halt on the Dearne Valley Railway. The passenger accommodation was minimal (photographer unknown - my collection),

The Great Central Railway also had a station at Ryhill.

The nearby reservoir was built to serve the Barnsley Canal. There was once a pumping station.

Close by is Wintersett, where we find a nice pub, the Angler's Retreat.

Moving on now, to Nostell station on the Doncaster - Wakefield line. The station is long closed.

In case you're lost, here's a map of the route. Here's Long Row in Nostell.

The Bridge and the Boat House in Nostell.

Back to the Doncaster to Wakefield and a station that reopened. A DMU calls at Fitzwilliam in 1987.

I found this West Yorkshire PTE coach by the station in Fitzwilliam in 1983.

Just down the road was a United Services depot at Kinsley, where this Leyland Leopad was photgraphed, just after WYPTE took over.

We pass under the West Riding & Grimsby Railway (the main line between Doncaster and Wakefield) at Kinsley Bridge. A GNR freight passes over.

Onwards to the spawling village of Ackworth. Here's the Old Cross.

Ackworth church.

Moor Top, Ackworth.

The early years of the 21st century saw a vintage vehicle rally at Ackworth. Included was a Norton Dominator motorbike.

Ackworth railway station, on the Swinton & Knottingley line, was a long way from the village and became an early casualty.

Further west is Wentbridge, on the old Great North Road. There's a decent pub here, the Blue Bell.

The Hull & Barnsley Railway issued some postcards of the local beauty spots, allegedly walkable from Kirk Smeaton station.

Another postcard - Kirk Smeaton church.

Two views of the village pub, the Shoulder of Mutton. Not a lot has changed over the years.

Kirk Smeaton, situated between Kirk Smeaton and Little Smeaton, an important stop on the H&BR.

One of the domeless 0-8-0 locos passes through, circa 1922 (The Late W Ashton).

The road approach to the station in 1969. The railway closed 10 years earlier.

 Little Smeaton Chapel & Town's Houses.

The Fox at Little Smeaton has sinced closed.

To the north is Womersley. Here we find the historic West Farm in 2005.

Womersley had a station on the L&YR Doncaster to Knottingley line.

The L&YR also served the Northfield Quarry at Womersley.

A hole on the ground is a good place to end this post. Next time, we'll continue our vaguely westward journey.