South Yorkshire Railway
Encyclopedia
The South Yorkshire Railway was a railway company which was based in the south of the former West Riding of Yorkshire
, England. Its first section of line opened on 10 November 1849 between Swinton
Junction and Doncaster
. As well as extensive colliery traffic, the company's tracks eventually supported a passenger service between Barnsley
and Doncaster; a branch line from Wombwell
to Sheffield
through the Blackburn valley; and services beyond Doncaster to Thorne and Keadby
.
The South Yorkshire Railway was absorbed by the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway
in 1864.
These met with opposition in Parliament, principally from the North Midland Railway
and the, still at proposal stage line of the Manchester, Midland and Great Grimsby Junction Railway which saw the South Yorkshire proposals as a rival to its own intentions. The opposition won the day and the South Yorkshire Coal Railway Bill was defeated. Also presented in this session of Parliament was a Bill for the long-titled Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley, Wakefield, Huddersfield and Goole Railway, a line which was to run close by the edge of the working coalfield, Sheffield and Chapeltown, the home of Newton, Chambers & Company
, one of the leading industrial companies in the area. The railway company sold its rights for the lines, those north of Barnsley to the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway
and those to the south of the town to the South Yorkshire Railway, although they had no line and no authority to build one.
The North Midland Railway completed its line between Leeds and Derby passing through Swinton, its nearest point to Doncaster. This led to pressure for a line to be built connecting the North Midland to Doncaster.
at Swinton and several branches. On 23 July 1847 Parliament granted the South Yorkshire the necessary powers for its main line but powers for a branch from Mexborough
to Rotherham
, due to opposition from the Midland, and from Worsborough to Penistone
were declined. The Act also gave the S.Y.R. the power to purchase the "lines south of Barnsley" from the S.R.B.W.H & G.R., and gave confirmation of the purchase of the River Don Navigation and the Dearne and Dove Canal
.
Work on the main line was under way by October 1847, the first, ceremonial sod being cut in "Warmsworth Field", the site of the present day cutting. Work ran overtime but the line was ready for a trial run to take place on 29 October 1849 when a special train left Doncaster, Cherry Tree Lane
(later Cherrytree), actually in Hexthorpe, to Swinton. The train, made up of two first class carriages loaned by the Midland Railway and a Great Northern Railway
open wagon fitted with seats, was propelled by a four-coupled tank locomotive which had been used for ballasting the line. The Board of Trade inspector, Captain Winn, passed the line for opening and the date of Saturday, 3 November set, however delays put this back by a week. The passenger service, to run from Sheffield, was to be operated by the Midland Railway and was timed to connect with their trains from the North, Derby, Birmingham, Gloucester, Bristol and London. At the opening the only intermediate station on the S.Y.R. was at Conisbrough
although further stations were added from 1 February 1850 to serve the villages of Hexthorpe and Balby and for Warmsworth and Sprotborough
.
In the other direction and just one day later the line in the opposite direction, at least as far as Elsecar
, where a junction ran to serve Earl Fitzwilliam
's colliery, was opened and carried its first traffic - the S.Y.R. was in the coal carrying business! The coal was passed to the G.N.R. for shipment to Boston
Docks. It was always the intention of the S.Y.R. to convey the coal over its own metals for onward shipment and a line was projected to run east of Doncaster for this purpose.
, near Silkstone Common
in 1852. This gave the company access to more collieries and so more traffic over its rails. The track towards Barnsley left this line at Oldham Mill Junction, later Aldham Junction, between Wombwell and Stairfoot
and reached the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway at the south end of its station, Barnsley Exchange, where it made an end-on junction and gave the S.Y.R. passenger access to the town. The line opened on 1 July 1851 and a passenger service from Doncaster
was begun, not operated by the S.Y.R., it still did not own any passenger coaches, but by the G.N.R. with its locomotives and stock.
Traffic on the Elsecar Branch increased from June 1850 due to a new seam being worked at Darley Main Colliery.
and Sheffield
from November 1855. This service was operated by the South Yorkshire Railway with its own locomotives and stock. The line opened for goods traffic on 11 September 1854, and was single track throughout, with just one passing point, Westwood
.
The line was extended from Meadowhall to Tinsley in 1861 and eventually reached Woodburn Junction
, on the main line of the M.S.& L.R. just east of Sheffield Victoria, opening on 1 August 1864, just after the company ceased as a separate entity. The "Darnall Curve", linking this line to an east facing junction on the main line, was also opened in 1864.
. The station was also known as "Thorne Lock". The line was inspected by the Board of Trade on 31 May 1856 but needed more work before their inspector would give a certificate for its carriage of passengers. This was, however, gained a month later and the line opened on 7 July with intermediate stations at Barnby Dun
, Bramwith
and Stainforth
. The station at Thorne was moved nearer the town centre after only a short time (Thorne (Old) railway station
) and remained as such until the 'straightening' in 1864 when Thorne South
was opened.
No Parliamentary powers were obtained for the next section for the S.Y.R. to Keadby
, it again being constructed on the canal bank, the canal already in the railway company's ownership. The line was opened in September 1859 with only one intermediate station at Crowle
, others at Maud's Bridge
, Medge Hall
, Godnow Bridge
were opened shortly afterwards.
Abbreviations:
West Riding of Yorkshire
The West Riding of Yorkshire is one of the three historic subdivisions of Yorkshire, England. From 1889 to 1974 the administrative county, County of York, West Riding , was based closely on the historic boundaries...
, England. Its first section of line opened on 10 November 1849 between Swinton
Swinton, South Yorkshire
Swinton is a suburban town within the Metropolitan Borough of Rotherham, in South Yorkshire, England on part of the west bank of the River Don...
Junction and Doncaster
Doncaster
Doncaster is a town in South Yorkshire, England, and the principal settlement of the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster. The town is about from Sheffield and is popularly referred to as "Donny"...
. As well as extensive colliery traffic, the company's tracks eventually supported a passenger service between Barnsley
Barnsley
Barnsley is a town in South Yorkshire, England. It lies on the River Dearne, north of the city of Sheffield, south of Leeds and west of Doncaster. Barnsley is surrounded by several smaller settlements which together form the Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley, of which Barnsley is the largest and...
and Doncaster; a branch line from Wombwell
Wombwell
Wombwell is a small town near Barnsley, located in the Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley in South Yorkshire, England. It has a population of 15,180.Its name's origin may mean "Womba's Well", or "well in a hollow"....
to Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
through the Blackburn valley; and services beyond Doncaster to Thorne and Keadby
Keadby
Keadby is a small village lying just off the A18, west of Scunthorpe, in North Lincolnshire, England. It lies on the West bank of the River Trent. It is pronounced "Kidby"....
.
The South Yorkshire Railway was absorbed by the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway
Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway
The Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway was formed by amalgamation in 1847. The MS&LR changed its name to the Great Central Railway in 1897 in anticipation of the opening in 1899 of its London Extension.-Origin:...
in 1864.
Early history
The company, originally named as The South Yorkshire Coal Railway, set out its plans in a prospectus in 1845. Its proposals were given as being "To connect the South Yorkshire coalfield with the existing and proposed main lines of railway, in connection with the canals and navigation of that district": Nothing further than to move coal from the area where it was mined to its major markets.These met with opposition in Parliament, principally from the North Midland Railway
North Midland Railway
The North Midland Railway was a British railway company, which opened its line from Derby to Rotherham and Leeds in 1840.At Derby it connected with the Birmingham and Derby Junction Railway and the Midland Counties Railway at what became known as the Tri Junct Station...
and the, still at proposal stage line of the Manchester, Midland and Great Grimsby Junction Railway which saw the South Yorkshire proposals as a rival to its own intentions. The opposition won the day and the South Yorkshire Coal Railway Bill was defeated. Also presented in this session of Parliament was a Bill for the long-titled Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley, Wakefield, Huddersfield and Goole Railway, a line which was to run close by the edge of the working coalfield, Sheffield and Chapeltown, the home of Newton, Chambers & Company
Newton, Chambers & Company
It was in 1789 that George Newton and Thomas Chambers entered into a partnership that would result in the founding of one of England's largest industrial companies of that era, Newton, Chambers & Co.-History:...
, one of the leading industrial companies in the area. The railway company sold its rights for the lines, those north of Barnsley to the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway
Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway
The Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway was a major British railway company before the 1923 Grouping. It was incorporated in 1847 from an amalgamation of several existing railways...
and those to the south of the town to the South Yorkshire Railway, although they had no line and no authority to build one.
The North Midland Railway completed its line between Leeds and Derby passing through Swinton, its nearest point to Doncaster. This led to pressure for a line to be built connecting the North Midland to Doncaster.
The First Section
In the next era of railway proposals came schemes of all types throughout the area including a new "South Yorkshire Railway"; now titled "The South Yorkshire, Doncaster and Goole Railway Company". Introduced into Parliament in 1846 it failed to win the required powers but was re-introduced later, in a shorter version, a main line from Doncaster to a junction with the Midland RailwayMidland Railway
The Midland Railway was a railway company in the United Kingdom from 1844 to 1922, when it became part of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway....
at Swinton and several branches. On 23 July 1847 Parliament granted the South Yorkshire the necessary powers for its main line but powers for a branch from Mexborough
Mexborough
Mexborough is a town in the metropolitan borough of Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England, situated on the north bank of the River Don west of its confluence with the River Dearne...
to Rotherham
Rotherham
Rotherham is a town in South Yorkshire, England. It lies on the River Don, at its confluence with the River Rother, between Sheffield and Doncaster. Rotherham, at from Sheffield City Centre, is surrounded by several smaller settlements, which together form the wider Metropolitan Borough of...
, due to opposition from the Midland, and from Worsborough to Penistone
Penistone
Penistone is a small town market town and civil parish in the Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley, in South Yorkshire, England, with a population of 10,101 at the 2001 census. It lies west of the town of Barnsley and north east of Glossop, in the foothills of the Pennines...
were declined. The Act also gave the S.Y.R. the power to purchase the "lines south of Barnsley" from the S.R.B.W.H & G.R., and gave confirmation of the purchase of the River Don Navigation and the Dearne and Dove Canal
Dearne and Dove Canal
The Dearne and Dove Canal ran for almost ten miles through South Yorkshire, England from Swinton to Barnsley through nineteen locks, rising 127 yards. The canal also had two short branches, the Worsbrough branch and the Elsecar branch, both about two miles long with reservoirs at the head of each....
.
Work on the main line was under way by October 1847, the first, ceremonial sod being cut in "Warmsworth Field", the site of the present day cutting. Work ran overtime but the line was ready for a trial run to take place on 29 October 1849 when a special train left Doncaster, Cherry Tree Lane
Doncaster (Cherry Tree Lane) railway station
Doncaster railway station was situated in the Hexthorpe district of Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England and was the original terminus of the South Yorkshire Railway....
(later Cherrytree), actually in Hexthorpe, to Swinton. The train, made up of two first class carriages loaned by the Midland Railway and a Great Northern Railway
Great Northern Railway (Great Britain)
The Great Northern Railway was a British railway company established by the Great Northern Railway Act of 1846. On 1 January 1923 the company lost its identity as a constituent of the newly formed London and North Eastern Railway....
open wagon fitted with seats, was propelled by a four-coupled tank locomotive which had been used for ballasting the line. The Board of Trade inspector, Captain Winn, passed the line for opening and the date of Saturday, 3 November set, however delays put this back by a week. The passenger service, to run from Sheffield, was to be operated by the Midland Railway and was timed to connect with their trains from the North, Derby, Birmingham, Gloucester, Bristol and London. At the opening the only intermediate station on the S.Y.R. was at Conisbrough
Conisbrough railway station
Conisbrough railway station is a railway station in Conisbrough, South Yorkshire, England. The station is south west of Doncaster towards Sheffield...
although further stations were added from 1 February 1850 to serve the villages of Hexthorpe and Balby and for Warmsworth and Sprotborough
Sprotborough (SYR) railway station
Sprotborough railway station was situated on the South Yorkshire Railway's line between Doncaster Cherry Tree Lane and Conisbrough. The station was intended to serve both Sprotborough and Warmsworth, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England....
.
In the other direction and just one day later the line in the opposite direction, at least as far as Elsecar
Elsecar
Elsecar is a village forming part of the Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley in South Yorkshire, England. Like many villages in the area, it was for many years a coal mining village until the widespread pit closures during the 1980s. Elsecar is next to the villages of Hoyland and Jump.Elsecar is...
, where a junction ran to serve Earl Fitzwilliam
Earl FitzWilliam
Earl Fitzwilliam was a title in both the Peerage of Ireland and the Peerage of Great Britain held by the head of the Fitzwilliam family. This family claim descent from William the Conqueror. The Fitzwilliams acquired extensive holdings in South Yorkshire, largely through strategic alliances through...
's colliery, was opened and carried its first traffic - the S.Y.R. was in the coal carrying business! The coal was passed to the G.N.R. for shipment to Boston
Boston, Lincolnshire
Boston is a town and small port in Lincolnshire, on the east coast of England. It is the largest town of the wider Borough of Boston local government district and had a total population of 55,750 at the 2001 census...
Docks. It was always the intention of the S.Y.R. to convey the coal over its own metals for onward shipment and a line was projected to run east of Doncaster for this purpose.
Extension to Barnsley
The line was built to Worsborough and opened in 1850, continuing to Moor EndMoor End goods station
Moor End goods station was a railway station in South Yorkshire, England. It was situated at the end of the Worsborough branch line which ran from the main line of the South Yorkshire Railway at Wombwell...
, near Silkstone Common
Silkstone Common
Silkstone Common is a village in the metropolitan borough of Barnsley in South Yorkshire, England.The village has Junior and Infants Schools, a railway station, a single local shop and the Station Inn....
in 1852. This gave the company access to more collieries and so more traffic over its rails. The track towards Barnsley left this line at Oldham Mill Junction, later Aldham Junction, between Wombwell and Stairfoot
Stairfoot railway station
Stairfoot railway station was a railway station on the South Yorkshire Railway's main line between Mexborough and Barnsley. It was situated between Wombwell Central and Barnsley...
and reached the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway at the south end of its station, Barnsley Exchange, where it made an end-on junction and gave the S.Y.R. passenger access to the town. The line opened on 1 July 1851 and a passenger service from Doncaster
Doncaster railway station
Doncaster railway station serves the town of Doncaster, in South Yorkshire, England. It is situated on the East Coast Main Line north of London Kings Cross, and is about five minutes walk from Doncaster town centre. The station is managed by East Coast...
was begun, not operated by the S.Y.R., it still did not own any passenger coaches, but by the G.N.R. with its locomotives and stock.
Traffic on the Elsecar Branch increased from June 1850 due to a new seam being worked at Darley Main Colliery.
The Blackburn Valley Line
In March 1852 land was bought to complete the line between Barnsley and Sheffield, although at this time the only way a through service of any type could be offered was by a reversal at Wombwell Central. The S.Y.R. diverted the route purchased from the S.R.B.W.H.& G.R. at the request of the colliery owners in the Dove Valley who had no railway line to serve their pits at Blacker Main, Platts Common and Hoyland Common. Because of this they abandoned the tunnel at Birdwell although much work had already been carried out. The line, through to a junction with the Midland Railway near Wincobank, on the outskirts of Sheffield, enabled trains to run to the Wicker station in Sheffield. Passenger trains from Barnsley to Sheffield began on 9 September 1854, with a service between DoncasterDoncaster railway station
Doncaster railway station serves the town of Doncaster, in South Yorkshire, England. It is situated on the East Coast Main Line north of London Kings Cross, and is about five minutes walk from Doncaster town centre. The station is managed by East Coast...
and Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
from November 1855. This service was operated by the South Yorkshire Railway with its own locomotives and stock. The line opened for goods traffic on 11 September 1854, and was single track throughout, with just one passing point, Westwood
Westwood railway station
Westwood railway station was situated on the South Yorkshire Railway's Blackburn Valley line between and . The station served an area of few houses apart from two rows of miners' cottages known as "Westwood Row"...
.
The line was extended from Meadowhall to Tinsley in 1861 and eventually reached Woodburn Junction
Woodburn Junction
Woodburn Junction is a railway junction in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, situated about half way between Sheffield Victoria and Darnall....
, on the main line of the M.S.& L.R. just east of Sheffield Victoria, opening on 1 August 1864, just after the company ceased as a separate entity. The "Darnall Curve", linking this line to an east facing junction on the main line, was also opened in 1864.
East From Doncaster
The South Yorkshire Railway were the owners of the River Don Navigation and made use of this fact when it came to build the line to Thorne as there is no record of Parliamentary powers being obtained for its construction, the route following closely the canal bank to a station named Thorne WatersideThorne Waterside railway station
Thorne Waterside railway station, sometimes referred to as "Thorne Lock" because of its location, was built by the South Yorkshire Railway as the terminus of its line from Doncaster. It was the first railway station to be opened in Thorne. The line was opened for goods traffic on 11 December 1855...
. The station was also known as "Thorne Lock". The line was inspected by the Board of Trade on 31 May 1856 but needed more work before their inspector would give a certificate for its carriage of passengers. This was, however, gained a month later and the line opened on 7 July with intermediate stations at Barnby Dun
Barnby Dun railway station
Barnby Dun railway station was a small station on the South Yorkshire Railway's line between Doncaster and Thorne. It served the village of Barnby Dun, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England...
, Bramwith
Bramwith railway station
Bramwith railway station was a small station on the South Yorkshire Railway's line between Doncaster and Thorne. It served the village of Kirk Bramwith, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England. The original line followed closely the canal bank coming close to the village.The original station was...
and Stainforth
Stainforth railway station
Stainforth railway station was a small station on the South Yorkshire Railway's line between Doncaster and Thorne. It served the village of Stainforth, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England. The original line followed closely the Stainforth and Keadby Canal and opened for goods traffic on 11...
. The station at Thorne was moved nearer the town centre after only a short time (Thorne (Old) railway station
Thorne (Old) railway station
Thorne railway station was the second railway station built by the South Yorkshire Railway to serve the town of Thorne, South Yorkshire, England. It was situated near the town centre on the first stage of the canal-side line to Keadby, which was opened in September 1859...
) and remained as such until the 'straightening' in 1864 when Thorne South
Thorne South railway station
Thorne South railway station is one of two stations serving the ex mining town of Thorne in South Yorkshire, England. The station is north of Doncaster on the Doncaster to Cleethorpes line...
was opened.
No Parliamentary powers were obtained for the next section for the S.Y.R. to Keadby
Keadby railway station
The original Keadby railway station was the eastern-most terminus of the South Yorkshire Railway. The railway, which was extended from Thorne and opened in September 1859 was built without an Act of Parliament, as the railway company owned the canal alongside which they built the line.The station...
, it again being constructed on the canal bank, the canal already in the railway company's ownership. The line was opened in September 1859 with only one intermediate station at Crowle
Crowle railway station
Crowle railway station serves the town of Crowle in North Lincolnshire. Stopping services from Sheffield to Scunthorpe call at the station. Most services are provided by Northern Rail, who operate the station. Occasional services by TransPennine Express also call at this station.The station has...
, others at Maud's Bridge
Maud's Bridge halt
Maud's Bridge was a small railway station built by the South Yorkshire Railway on its line between Thorne and Keadby. The station was situated between Thorne and Medge Hall.-History:...
, Medge Hall
Medge Hall Halt
Medge Hall Halt was a small railway halt in Lincolnshire, on the Doncaster to Cleethorpes Line, close to the border with Yorkshire. It served the local Medge Hall. The halt was opened by the South Yorkshire Railway in September 1859. It closed in 1960, though the line it stood on is still...
, Godnow Bridge
Godnow Bridge railway station
Godnow Bridge railway station was a small railway station on the line between Doncaster and Keadby, between Medge Hall and Crowle. The area is shown on old maps as "Godknow Bridge". It was opened with the line from Thorne railway station in September 1859 and closed in 1917.- References :*"The...
were opened shortly afterwards.
Finale
Having offered the SYR the use of Sheffield Victoria, the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway leased the SYR outright from 1861. In May 1864 there came news that "The Transfer Bill of the South Yorkshire Railway" had passed the Committee of the House of Lords and the company then became part of the MS&LR.The Locomotives
| SYR No. | Wheel Arr. | Makers | Wks No. | Date Bly. | MSL No. | W'drawn | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0-4-2 | BCK | 1849 | 152 | 1867 | Named "Vampire" | |
| 2 | 0-4-2 | BCK | 1849 | 153 | 1867 | ||
| 3 | 0-4-2 | Dodds | 1849 | 154 | 1871 | Named "Fitzwilliam" | |
| 4 | 0-6-0 | EBW | 1849 | 155 | 1894 | Named "Warncliffe" | |
| 5 | 0-4-2 | TB | 1848 | 156 | 1870 | Named "Albion" | |
| 6 | 0-6-0 | GW | 19 | 1848 | 157 | 1869 | |
| 7 | 0-6-0 | GW | 20 | 1848 | 158 | 1870 | |
| 8 | 0-6-0 | GW | 21 | 1848 | 159 | 1893 | |
| 9 | 0-6-0 | GW | 22 | 1848 | 160 | 1871 | |
| 10 | 0-6-0 | EBW | 507 | 1856 | 161 | 1889 | |
| 11 | 0-6-0 | EBW | 508 | 1856 | 162 | 1893 | |
| 12 | 0-6-0 | EBW | 509 | 1856 | 163 | 1888 | |
| 13 | 2-4-0 | GE | 1856 | 164 | 1864 | ||
| 14 | 0-6-0 | EBW | 1856 | 165 | 1889 | ||
| 15 | 0-6-0 | EBW | 1856 | 166 | 1888 | ||
| 16 | 0-6-0 | EBW | 1856 | 167 | 1893 | ||
| 17 | 0-6-0 | K | 697 | 1859 | 168 | 1877 | |
| 18 | 0-6-0 | K | 698 | 1859 | 169 | 1893 | |
| 19 | 0-6-0 | K | 702 | 1859 | 170 | 1892 | |
| 20 | 0-6-0 | SYR | 1861 | 171 | 1893 | ||
| 21 | 0-6-0 | K | 919 | 1861 | 172 | 1893 | |
| 22 | 0-6-0 | SYR | 1862 | 173 | 1893 | ||
| 23 | 0-6-0 | BP | 373 | 1864 | 174 | 1902 | |
| 24 | 0-6-0 | BP | 374 | 1864 | 175 | 1902 | |
| 25 | 0-6-0 | BP | 375 | 1864 | 176 | 1902 | |
| 26 | 0-6-0 | BP | 376 | 1864 | 177 | 1903 | |
| 27 | 0-6-0 | BP | 377 | 1864 | 178 | 1903 | |
| 28 | 0-6-0 | BP | 378 | 1864 | 179 | 1903 |
Abbreviations:
- BCK....Bury, Curtis & Kennedy
- BP.....Beyer, Peacock & Co.
- EBW....E.B.Wilson & Company
- GE.....George England & Co.
- GW.....Gilkes, Wilson & Co.Gilkes Wilson and CompanyGilkes Wilson and Company was a British locomotive manufacturer at Teesside Engine Works in Middlesbrough which opened in 1843.Initially repairing locomotives, the company built its first new engines in 1847...
(Ex-Leeds and Thirsk railway). - K......Kitson & Company
- SYR....South Yorkshire Railway, Mexborough
- TB.....Thwaites Brothers
The Remains Today
Because of duplication of tracks between main centres, the inconvenient siting of passenger stations, closure of collieries and other lineside works much of the system have been closed or truncated. The remaining open sections are as follows:- Between Mexborough and Doncaster. (The Swinton curve, which formed the junction to the Midland Railway, was closed in 1968 but reinstated in the late 1980s to coincide with the reopening of Swinton railway station).
- Between Doncaster and Keadby (The realigned route).
- Between Mexborough Junction and Woodburn Junction (Sheffield) (although the present line joins the Midland Railway at Aldwarke JunctionAldwarke JunctionAldwarke Junction at Parkgate near Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England is a major railway junction. It was constructed in 1965 as a part of the Sheffield district rail rationalisation plan.- The Location :...
and returns to its old route after about 100 yards). - Quarry Junction (Barnsley) and Barnsley (former Exchange) station.
- The upper part of the Elsecar Branch, reopened by the Elsecar Steam RailwayElsecar Steam RailwayThe Elsecar Heritage Railway is located on the southern part of the former South Yorkshire Railway freight-only branch which ran from Elsecar Junction on its Mexborough to Barnsley line...
. It is expected that the section to Cortonwood will be opened at a later date as funding allows.