Railway enthusiasts are expected to flock to Knaresborough for two events shining a light on the town’s forgotten rail heritage.

Among the many highlights, say organisers Knaresborough Museum Association (KMA), will be the first appearance in Knaresborough of a historic railway artefact which was last in the town 180 years ago.

The first event will be a new free exhibition called Knaresborough on the Tracks which will open at Knaresborough Heritage Centre on Wednesday, September 23 from 10am to 4pm and then on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The second event will be Knaresborough Railway Gala on Saturday, October 24 running from 10am to 4pm at the Knaresborough Methodist Church (COGS) on Gracious Street.

Rail heritage - The Knaresborough Railway Gala will be presented by KMA in conjunction with Harrogate Model Railway Group and several steam railway organisations. (Picture The NER Association)

placeholder image — Rail heritage - The Knaresborough Railway Gala will be presented by KMA in conjunction with Harrogate Model Railway Group and several steam railway organisations. (Picture The NER Association)

Knaresborough on the Tracks will reveal that, if Thomas Telford had had his way, the first railway in the country would have been built from Boroughbridge via Scriven to Bond End in Knaresborough.

Instead, businesses and the townsfolk had to wait until the 1840s for the railway to be built from York to Leeds via Knaresborough.

The exhibition will explore the many trials and tribulations that occurred during the construction of the line and how it had to be saved twice - once by the notorious Railway King George Hudson, and secondly when the town faced the loss of the railway as a result of the Beeching proposals.

One of the highlights of the exhibition will be a stunning silver trowel presented to the railway chairman John Dent at the laying of the foundation stone of the first viaduct, which has never been exhibited in Knaresborough before.

The trowel has been lent with the kind permission of The Chapter of York (York Minster) and is coming home after a 180-year absence.

The Knaresborough Railway Gala will be presented by KMA in conjunction with Harrogate Model Railway Group and several steam railway organisations.

The family-friendly gala will include exciting model train layouts of Knaresborough, as well as railway-themed stalls, a series of talks by local railway experts, children’s activities, food and refreshments.

Advance booking is recommended in person at the KMA Store or online via: https://kmaevents.sumupstore.com/

Information: https://knaresboroughtownmuseum.org.uk/