Saltaire, the Railway Station 2009

And this is Saltaire Station today.... Reopened in 1984, the line carries trains (now electric) mainly from Leeds and Bradford to Skipton, though some go right over to the west coast at Morecambe. It connects with the historic Worth Valley railway line at Keighley. That is a private railway, run by volunteers, which runs regular steam trains from Keighley to Oxenhope via the famous village of Haworth. Because of that we still sometimes see (and hear!) steam trains travelling through Saltaire - always a nostalgic moment. It also connects with the famous Settle-Carlisle rail line, which runs through some of the loveliest scenery in the Yorkshire Dales.

The original buildings and platforms were demolished, so the station now has wooden platforms and only a small open-fronted shelter on each side. Sadly, it is no longer the picturesque place it once evidently was, although the backdrop of the Mill remains largely unchanged. It would be nice to think that one day they might decide to improve the station. It is well-used these days, by commuters and shoppers going to Leeds and Bradford.

I was once waiting for a train one misty winter evening, all alone on the station. Suddenly I heard the unmistakeable sound of a steam train - and, to my astonishment, an engine with several carriages came through the station. It only seemed to have one passenger on board - and on the front it said "Hogwart's Express" (as in the Harry Potter books). I have never been able to find an explanation for the experience. It was decidedly surreal. I half expected to look down and see myself in costume, having slipped through a time-warp!