Wakefield formed part of the Industrial West Riding which, in the latter part of the 19th century, attracted various railway companies who were eager to obtain a share of passenger and goods traffic.  Four of them became established to varying degrees in the Wakefield area.  These were the Great Northern, Great Central, Midland and Lancashire & Yorkshire Railways.  At the 1923 grouping, the first two became part of the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER), the others, part of the London, Midland & Scottish Railway (LMS).

Competition between railway companies was fierce, sometimes resulting in towns, even villages, having more than one station, each owned by a different company.  The antithesis was where two or more companies combined to construct a line and its stations.

Railway stations showed immense variation in size and design, although stations of a particular company could be similar.  Large stations incorporated a vast range of facilities.  Even small stations would have a booking hall, waiting rooms, toilets, a good office and probably the station-master's house.
Gardens became a notable feature of small stations, lovingly tended by porters in quiet periods.

Today's simple unstaffed stations present a sharp contrast.
The Methley Joint Railway, which stretched from Lofthouse to Methley, was an example of company co-operation.  It was the brainchild of the Great Northern, although the North Eastern and Lancashire & Yorkshire Railways were admitted partners.  The intermediate station was Stanley, shown above, about 1904.  This station closed in 1964 and the line is defunct.

High pitched roofs, some hipped and patterned, and lofty chimneys were features which helped to give this station an elegant appearance.  The gated level crossing near the signal box carried the Wakefield to Aberford Road.

Copied from 'a copy' supplied by Les Hartley of Outwood (March, 2004)

If source can be identified, I will be pleased to acknowledge the extract OR remove these pages if desired.  Mel Ashton.