"A Very Objectionable Feature"

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Mytholmroyd Station around 100 years ago: but the new buildings failed to impress critics. St Michael's Church, top left, remains but much else has since disappeared including parts of the station and the signal box. Ref 325 HBLSS

Mytholmroyd Station attracted criticism right from the start as a news story, dated December 22, 1871, discovered by Michael R. Allen during his researches into its history, reveals:

"The new railway station was opened this morning. Had the official orders been sent when the place was ready it might have been opened a few weeks ago.

The station consists of offices, a general, ladies' and gentlemen's waiting rooms. The lower part of the premises is intended for the station-master's dwelling house. The rooms are not arranged after the best style - first-class passengers will have to pass through the general waiting room before they can reach their room; this is a very objectionable feature in their construction.

Owing to the railway being at such a great altitude from the road the station, as before, is reached by a large number of steps but as they will be covered in they may be made much cleaner. The staircase would have been still less objectionable, to the ladies especially, had it been boarded at rail height."

Michael is further seeking information; anyone who can help is asked to contact him on (01422) 882821.

Read the full story in Milltown Memories, issue 13. If this or other stories stirs a memory, we'd be happy to know - send us your memories and comments.