Railway whistle blown after 70-year silence

A volunteer at Yorkshire Wolds Railway was given the whistle which was last blown in 1950

A whistle that was used on an old East Yorkshire railway has been blown for the first time in over 70 years.

The LNER whistle was used by one of the stationmasters at Sledmere and Fimber station on the Malton and Driffield Junction Railway which saw its last passenger service in 1950.

The railway closed in 1958 and the heritage attraction Yorkshire Wolds Railway (YWR) began running trains on part of the route in 2015.

Volunteer Martin Jones said it was a "great gift" to have been sent the whistle for use once again.

It was handed to Mr Jones on 7 April along with a letter from a friend who had been given the whistle from his neighbour's father who had worked as one of the stationmasters.

The letter read: "Who would have thought after all these years the sound of this LNER whistle will once again be heard in the valley around the new Fimber Station.

"I know you will treasure this whistle and give it the use it deserves."

The Malton Dodger passenger train ran between Malton and Driffield between1853 and 1950 and is now used on the heritage railway

'Amazing piece of history'

Mr Jones said he would like the whistle to be put on display in the museum at YWR near Sledmere in-between uses for visitors to enjoy.

Reflecting on using the whistle again, he said: "It was quite strange because in1950 someone blew this whistle when the last passenger train ran."

He added: "It is an amazing piece of railway history going back to where it was used and where it belongs.

"We are very pleased to have it and people can see it forever."

The Yorkshire Wolds Railway on Beverley Road offers train rides, a visitor centre set inside a genuine British Rail MK1 Full Brake coach and a shop.

It "gives a glimpse" into how Malton and Driffield Junction Railway was set up and run.

The historical locomotive Sir Tatton Sykes pulls trains from Fimber Halt and is nicknamed the Malton Dodger.