SideTracked - Ilkley
This short multi belongs to the SideTracked series. See here for more information.
The cache, a camo-taped preform tube, is hidden on Railway Road, a short distance outside the station premises. This multi involves walking up and down each of the two platforms, and although 8 figures need to be collected, it can easily be done under 20 minutes.
To Find the Cache
Step 1: at the published coordinates close to where the northern access path joins the platform near the footbridge, look at the metal overhead line mast in the centre of the rail bed on which you see a datum plate* indicating that the nearest rail is 2.A50m away.
* provides information about the position of the nearest running rail and track cant.
Step 2: head west along Platform 2 (Leeds trains) where @ N 53 55.486 W 1 49.190 you will be near a lamppost bearing a blue GSM-R* alias plate with the radio identification number 95B
* Global System for Mobile Communications – Railway provides voice & data comms between trains, control centres and railway staff (see here)
Step 3: continue along the platform to N 53 55.488 W 1 49.252 the location of a large metal manhole/inspection cover. You may be surprised to note from the identification inscriptions that it was made far away. The alphanumeric value (A=1 B=2 C=3 etc) of the 1st (and 4th) letters of the name of this country = C
Step 4: proceed to the end of the platform where @ N 53 55.491 W 1 49.302 you will see that D metal steps provide access from the rail bed to the platform.
Step 5: cross over to Platform 1 (Bradford Forster Sq trains) and go to N 53 55.485 W 1 49.304 where you will see a large yellow defibrillator box attached to the wall. On this, there are E red circles showing the steps to be followed in dealing with a patient.
From here, observe the red and white buffers at the end of each line. On each of these, you will see several bolt heads, most of which are overpainted red but F are white.
Step 6: continue along the platform to N 53 55.481 W 1 49.249 where you will be standing at the end of a row of storage lockers. On the last locker, you will see a small QR code/barcode sticker with the number 10G166 where G is the number required.
Note 23/4/26: The lockers have been replaced, so use G=3
Step 7: finally proceed a little further to N 53 55.482 W 1 49.209 where you will find a small grey box with a button on the wall of the building there. On this is a small identification plate stating Platform 1 M TRS.
If the colour of the button is red H=1, if blue H=2, if black H=3, if white H=4
The cache, a camo-taped preform tube is hidden at:
N 53 55.(C-D)(B+G)(A+E+F) W 1 49.(E-G)BF
Ilkley Railway Station has been a vital part of the area’s transport infrastructure for more than 160 years. It has evolved significantly since its Victorian beginnings, reflecting changes in technology, architecture, and public transport policy. Today, it serves as a modern commuter hub while retaining much of its historical charm.
It was officially opened on 1 August 1865 by the Midland Railway as part of a broader effort to connect rural Yorkshire towns to the industrial hubs of Leeds and Bradford. The railway line arrived in Ilkley during the Victorian railway boom, a period when railways were transforming Britain both economically and socially. Ilkley was already growing in popularity as a spa resort, thanks to its natural springs and clean air. The railway made the town more accessible to visitors from Leeds, Bradford, and beyond, greatly boosting the local economy and cementing Ilkley’s reputation as a fashionable destination.
It was originally a terminus, served by two different rail companies: the Midland Railway (from Leeds) and the North Eastern Railway (from Otley and Skipton). These competing services gave Ilkley a strategic importance, though they also resulted in a complex layout of tracks and platforms.
The original station buildings were constructed in the typical Victorian style, with stone facades, slate roofs, and decorative ironwork. Much of this architecture remains today, particularly the main station building, which retains its historic character despite various modernisations over the years. The spacious platforms, traditional canopies, and original signage evoke a strong sense of heritage, making Ilkley Station one of the more charming small stations in the region.
In its early days, the station included goods sidings, a turntable, and engine sheds, all of which supported the town’s role in freight as well as passenger transport. These features gradually disappeared as freight traffic declined and rail services were streamlined.
The 1960s brought sweeping changes to British railways under the Beeching Report, which aimed to reduce financial losses by closing underused and unprofitable lines. Ilkley’s connections to Skipton and Otley were among those axed in the late 1960s (see here). However, the core line to Leeds was retained due to strong passenger demand, and the station remained open - though reduced to a single-track branch line terminating at Ilkley.
While the station was at risk during this time, community support and consistent usage helped ensure its survival. In the decades that followed, Ilkley became an increasingly desirable place to live for commuters, artists, and retirees, further justifying continued investment in rail services.
Today, it is managed by Northern Trains and forms the terminus of the Wharfedale Line. Regular services run between Ilkley, Leeds, and Bradford, with connections to the national rail network.
The station has undergone several upgrades in recent years, including digital information boards, improved accessibility, and modern ticketing systems. However, these changes have been carefully integrated to preserve the station’s historic features.
It remains an integral part of the local community and is supported by the Friends of Ilkley Railway Station, a volunteer group that helps maintain the station’s appearance through planting schemes and heritage projects. Looking ahead, there are hopes for further electrification and sustainability improvements across the Northern rail network, which could eventually benefit the Wharfedale Line.
See here for more information on the station and here for a short video on the history of the station.
