Earl Fitzwilliam's private railway station

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Probably the most unusual railway station in South Yorkshire was the private railway station of Earl Fitzwilliam situated at the upper end of the Elsecar branch of the South Yorkshire Railway.

The station was opened in 1870, after the line passed to the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway and was used by the Earl's parties visiting the St. Leger race meeting at Doncaster. The Earl's parties were conveyed by coach from Wentworth Woodhouse to the station to join these trains which were known, and shown in railway publications as "E.F.W. Specials". Works records of Elsecar show that these trains ran until 'the early years of the 20th century'. The M.S.& L.R. issued a 'Royal Standard' to the station to be flown when royalty was included in the party.

The station was also host to other trains not connected to the St. Leger race meeting or usage by Earl Fitzwilliam. These were the seaside excursions operated for the pleasure of the villagers which were a regular feature of the summers before the First World War. Because of the length of journey and the suitability of the junction, meeting the main line in that direction, Cleethorpes was a popular destination.

The building was of two storeys, the upper storey containing a waiting/drawing room where the Earl entertained his guests prior to departure. Still standing, the station is included within the site of the Elsecar Heritage Centre.

About a mile of the line, north from Cortonwood, which served Elsecar colliery, which was closed around 1979, is now part of the Elsecar Steam Railway. The remainder of the line from Elsecar Junction to Cortonwood was closed in 1984.