The cache is a nano and contains a logbook only, so please bring
a pen or pencil.
A major project undertaken by hard working volunteers to
revitalise the site of the former railway station in the village
was completed in August 2009. The project involved the removal of
five tonnes of silt, weeds and rubbish to reveal a pleasant cobbled
area where people can sit and relax and there is a new station
information board.
The line from Bradford to Thornton via Queensbury was opened
as a joint venture between the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway
and the Great Northern Railway between 1876 and 1878. Once out of
Bradford, the line was mostly rural and necessitated the
construction of many earthworks, viaducts and tunnels. Its hilly
nature earned it the nicknames of 'the Alpine route' or 'the
switchback' from its loyal drivers.
When it opened in 1878, Thornton station was the terminus of
the line from Bradford. The connection with Halifax came in 1879
and Keighley in 1884.
The station had an island platform reached from the road by a
50 ft iron bridge. This was typical GN construction and was also
used at Clayton and Denholme stations.
It was situated at the top of a deep valley and was reached
from Queensbury via the magnificent 13 arch Thornton viaduct, a
listed structure which is still in existence and is now open as a
public footpath.
Like Great Horton, Thornton had a busy passenger service, but
was more used for its goods facilities. It has a stone warehouse
measuring 130 ft by 50 ft and handled coal, wood, livestock and
animal feeds.
After the war, Thornton won the best kept station award on
several occasions. Goods services ceased in 1965, after which the
line was lifted. Thornton Station closed completely in 1955 and
after it was demolished Thornton Primary School was built on the
site.
In May 2005 a section of the railway was brought back to life
as the Great Northern Trail. The first section of the new trail
runs from Cullingworth to Harecroft Eventually the new trail will
cover a distance of 10 kilometres between Queensbury and
Cullingworth but it will be five years before it is
completed.
The new trail is availbale for walkers, cyclists and horse
riders and is also suitable for wheelchairs. The section of the
trail already open includes two viaducts including the listed
Hewenden Viaduct near Cullingworth