Knaresborough Station and Viaduct.
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Visit websiteThis station is located between Harrogate and York on a line which used to split east of the town with one branch heading for Boroughbridge and onward towards Thirsk, the other towards York. Only the latter survives.
The first station opened in 1848, but the present building dates from 1866. Designed by T. Prosser, architect of the North Eastern Railway, it is built in white brick and is listed Grade II.
It is adjacent to a stone viaduct crossing the gorge of the River Nidd designed by T. Grainger in 1851. This has four 17 m (57 ft) span arches 24 m (78 ft) high, is built of stone and has a castellated parapet. It has been adversely criticised for its dominance of the town and Pevsner was particularly scathing about it, 'one of the most notable railway crimes in England'. It is nevertheless listed Grade II*.
Beyond the platforms on the east side is a tunnel which separated the station from the goods yard (now a bus depot) and the line's major junction.
The station signal box is somewhat unusual in that it was built onto the end of an adjoining row of terraced houses. It is also unusual in being five sided. It too is listed Grade II.
By road: Off the A59 in the centre of the town.
By rail: To Knaresborough station
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Forgotten Relics - Listed Bridges and Viaducts