Although the main industry of Fairburn over the years has been
farming, a small part has been played by quarries. The limestone
and gypsum quarries were the property of Lord Palmerston. One of
the only ways of transporting the stone was by canal. The nearest
river is the river Aire which is at the south side of Fairburn
and the quarries were at the north side. As a result of this an
underground railway was built and a canal dug to the river Aire.
Although this connection with the river Aire has been filled in
for many years about four hundred yards of derelict canal and the
terminal basin below Fairburn village, known as "Fairburn Cut",
are still clearly definable.
The railway started at the head of the basin and travelled north
east in the direction of the quarries. After about 120 yards
the line entered a cutting, now partly filled in, and after about
200 yards a tunnel, tke southern portal of which is still well
preserved, approximately 330 yards long, by which it passed under
the hill on which Fairburn village was built to obtain access to
the quarry site. The first edition of the 6" O.S. map of 1850
indicates that the tunnel may have divided a short distance before
its eastern end to give two exits, but there is now visual evidence
Of one exit only. From the tunnel exit the line was extended,
Presumably as the quarry workings were developed, for about a
further 480 yards. Most of this part of the line is in a cutting
and may be clearly traced, particularly on either side of a
limestone overbridge built to carry the Fairburn Lumby road over
the whole formation.
The Fairburn railway was constructed in 1822-3 and it would appear
that the incline through the tunnel (the line rises about 80' from
the basin to the quarries) was worked on the self acting principle,
horse haulage being used on the more level sections.
By 1921 the cut and railways were no longer in use and the stone spindle on which was mounted the brake-wheel around which the incline cable ran, was hauled up into Fairburn village, where it was mounted on a plinth where it can still be seen. During September 1970 members of the Castleford and District Historical Society excavated a small portion of the line near its termination at the head of the basin. A complete section of early cast iron point-work was uncovered, in excellent condition and supported by small cast iro chairs, most of which were still fastened to stone sleepers embedded in limestone ballast. Additional a portion of rail and a chair from a siding down the eastern side of the basin were recovered. The track uncovered indicated a gauge of three feet and that four foot cast iron fish-bellied rails were used. There is also evidence that where shorter pieces of rail were needed four foot rails were broken to the required length. 
|