I remember travelling from Loftus to Whitby by train as a child when we came up to Yorkshire for our holidays, staying with family in Liverton Mines near Loftus. I'm not sure which year the line closed but I was born in 1952 so would have been on it quite a few times. I just wish I could remember going over the viaducts, especially the one at Staithes. I mainly remember going along next to the beach at Sandsend. Thanks for posting these interesting pictures.

The viaduct at Staithes was the greatest problem on the line. If the wind got up then the viaduct was closed to all traffic, closing the line. There was a wind gauge on the bridge that rang a bell in Staithes signal box; if the bell rang the line closed to traffic. The cost of maintaining the line far outstripped the revenue from all traffic along the line, which only every reached capacity during the summer months, was the reason the line was closed between Loftus and Whitby West Cliff in May 1957. Grinkle was originally called Easington, but was renamed to prevent confusion with Easington in County Durham. The line was lifted all the way back to BS Skinningrove once the line to Loftus was closed in 1964, only for the tracks to be relaid in the early 1970s for the potash mine at Boulby. This required the replacement of the bridge over the A174; the original bridge was demolished to allow the road to becre-aligned (the original road becoming a lay-by).

Very enjoyable.. thank you.

Brilliant upload, thank you!

Mike, thanks for this very sad but lovely piece of film. The harp music goes so well. I guess you have a great affection for this lost railway, destroyed by an uncaring Tory Government. I also love your ‘nothing takes the place of you’ on Deserted Railway. I’d like to know more about you. I believe you are based in Devon. You are very talented. See Geoff and Chris b channel.

Just imagine travelling these lines now on electric tram car type units. Shame on the corrupt Marples and his short sighted government, shame on Beeching the hatchet man, all just vandals.

31.12.22.. The South Portal of Sandsend is totally sealed now, no way of entry. Only way in is via a climb on the North Portal of Kettlenes Tunnel. Both are showing extreme signs of collapse, internal walls are seriously buldging. Not to be entered.

Considering the increasing interest in electrified public transit instead of fossil-fueled cars, it is a shame to let any of these structures go. They may be needed again!

Such a sad sight when I see the history of this line. I’ve been to Staithes and Sandsend

VERY SAD - i'd have loved to ride this line to my cottage at Staithes

I used to play among the ruins of Sandsend and Lealholm viaducts and have walked the length of Kettlness tunnel. But only in 2020 do I learn there was a Staithes viaduct.

So sad that this line had to be closed and the viaducts removed. It may have been justified, maybe not. I wish I could go back in time and travel on this line in the days of steam.

Would have been a marvellous asset today. Usual British shortsightedness, just like urban tramways!

All lost and gone how true and how sad

The musical accompaniment is delightful, does the piece have a title?

Now it is government policy to reopen old lines where possible, they want rid of cars and lorries.

To those saying 'why did they close the line', 'it was a mistake they should reopen them', 'the lines were beautiful', 'Beeching should hang', and other remarks. 1) The line was closed because it was unprofitable. Buses and private cars were far better modes of transport. There was also the Esk Valley inland line for Whitby-Boro trains, which didnt close down on the slightest fresh breeze at Staithes. 2) Beeching had nothing to do with this. He did however close the other half of this line, Whitby to Scarborough, and left many towns with no rail station while keeping all 3 of the stations in his hometown of Maidstone. So yes, he should hang, but not for this line. 3) Rail is outdated and obsolete for the vast majority of journeys. Due to modern towns and cities expanding considerably since the 1800's, quite simply for most people the journey from the home to the rail station would be longer than the actual train journey. Compare the motor car or bike, where the journey from the home to the vehicle is measured in seconds. Any speed advantage trains have is obliterated by the simple fact. Rail has 2 uses nowadays - firstly one off journeys from one city to another (holidays), secondly designated commuter services with infrastructure specially built to adhere to rail - in particular the commuter belts around London. HS2 goes in this category too, it is designed to move workers from Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester etc. to London. So unless you work in London or are going on holiday/to visit distant relatives, rail is pretty much irrelevant. 4) The abandoned lines and the scenery around them is beautiful, true, but when the lines were running the story was different. Trains in full time operation were dirty, smelly, ugly, and noisy. Railway stations were dirty, smelly, ugly and noisy. People who worked on steam locomotives tended to be constantly covered head to toe in soot, and usually died young.

Where is deepgrove tunnel? Can't find anything on it.

And nothing showing the magnificent Loftus Viaduct, Why?

The wasted man power..........

Should this line have been closed...of course not. But you will always find the diehards who still claim this closure was necessary. Only in time do you realise this cost cutting exercise,as with many other route around the UK, have seen many beautiful railway routes gone forever.Perhaps one day,when the love affair with the motor car fades,perhaps then people will once again demand for the return of these lines that have been taken from us?