The railway line opened on 21st July 1913. It had strong connections with the North Eastern Railway (NER/LNER) and often used NER/LNER motive power. There were 11 stations which started at Layerthorpe and ended at Cliff Common. The line from Wheldrake to Cliffe Common was opened on October 29, 1912, with the remainder of the line opening on July 21st, 1913. It was constructed primarily as a freight line but passenger trains were introduced from 1913. During World War I it was used as a diversionary route by the North Eastern Railway between York and Selby. Passenger services ended in 1926, though freight traffic continued through World War II. During the Grouping of 1923 it remained private. Over the years much of the line has been closed. Today the line runs between Murton Lane and Murton Way, the last half mile of its former route. It is run by the Derwent Valley Light Railway Society who operate it on behalf of the Yorkshire Museum of Farming.
Derwent Valley Light Railway Society; Yorkshire Museum of Farming