Leeds and York Railway

Tadcaster Viaduct, southwest approaches. Completed before the Y&NMR abandoned construction of its line in 1849. (2005)
Lines of the York & North Midland Railway (in blue) as of 1854, showing the potential for a shorter route from Leeds to York via either Thorp Arch or Tadcaster.
A cut-off was eventually opened in 1869 between Micklefield and Church Fenton, south of Tadcaster and the lines proposed in the 1840s

The Leeds and York Railway was a proposed railway line, promoted in the mid 1840s, intended to connect York and Leeds. The line lost a significant promoter, the Manchester and Leeds Railway in 1845/6 as a result of a non-competition arrangement between that company and the York and North Midland Railway.

The York and North Midland Railway successfully promoted a rival line in the same session of parliament, and obtained an act for its construction in 1846.

The only part of either scheme that was ever constructed was the Tadcaster Viaduct, built by the Y&NMR on a short spur from the Y&NMR's existing Church Fenton to Harrogate branch. This was completed by 1848 before the Y&NMR decided to abandon construction of the line.