How Leeds mourned the closure of two railway stations in the 1960s

Pictured is Cyril Miles, stationmaster of Kirkstall and Armley (Canal Road), on the day both stations closed in May 1965.

"Although it is heartbreaking to see the stations close after I have been here for almost 10 years, I have been lucky," reflected Mr Miles as he supervised Kirkstall's last day as a passenger station on the Leeds-Bradford line.

Kirkstall was originally built in 1846 as a halt on the Leeds and Bradford Railway (later to become part of Midland) and rebuilt as a four track station in 1902. It dealt with its last passenger train at 10.08pm on March 19,1965.

Mr Miles, who had been promoted to the District Manager's office in Leeds, said Kirkstall used to handle around 600 passengers every day, a figure which had dwindled to between 150 and 200.

Kirkstall boasted a number of best kept station and best station garden awards to its credit. Its show of antirrhinums and tupils provided great delight to passengers.

Mr Miles recalled how the 'resident' goldfish were supplemented by passengers tipping their own fish into the pond when they were going on holiday.

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