MOURNERS gathered under leaden skies yesterday to mark the last journey of a railway stalwart.

People came from all over Yorkshire to pay their respects to Walter Hartley, from Leyburn, North Yorkshire.

Mr Hartley, 69, was instrumental in the reopening of the Wensleydale Railway in 2003, and his family made sure that his last journey was on the line he spent years working to reinstate.

Yesterday, four pall bearers, all members of the Wensleydale Railway Association, carried his coffin, shrouded in the Wensleydale Railway flag, to a waiting train, which was making a special journey from Leeming Bar back to his home town of Leyburn.

Only seven weeks ago, Mr Hartley travelled the same route in his wheelchair to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of passenger services linking Northallerton and Garsdale.

Then he was joined by his wife, Joy, and his 85-year-old brother, Harry, a retired railwayman.

Yesterday the train, carrying seven sprays of white lilies and black ribbons, moved off slowly just after 10am to travel the 12-mile route, arriving in Leyburn at 11.40am.

Its arrival was greeted by Leyburn Town Band, which played hymns from the ticket office as the coffin was taken from the train.

The coffin was then carried to St Peter and St Paul's RC Church for the funeral service, before moving on for interment at St Simon and St Jude's churchyard, Ulshaw - the church where he and Joy were married.

Ruth Annison, marketing director of the Wensleydale Railway, last night paid tribute to Mr Hartley. She said: "Because of his long knowledge of the railway he was extremely good at raising interest and talking to people.

"He made a substantial contribution to raising awareness about Wensleydale Railway and until relatively recently he was physically active, digging and clearing on the railway.

"We were very honoured when we were asked if this could be done and we were very happy to say yes to the request."

Mr Hartley was born in a house opposite Leyburn Station, one of 11 brothers and sisters.

He spent 20 years as a volunteer with the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway and was a founder member of the Wensleydale Railway Association.

He died on June 13 after a long illness.