Anyone who has said a tearful goodbye on a platform, or waited anxiously for a train to pull in, will know that there is something timelessly romantic about railway stations.

Think of Celia Johnson dashing on to the platform at the end of Brief Encounter, only to see the steam train taking Trevor Howard away from her puffing out of Carnforth Station.

There was a time when little railway stations were dotted around the Bradford district, linking towns and villages in a way that seems more civilised than today’s sprawling, congested road network.

While you wouldn’t exactly call Peter Tuffrey’s new book romantic, it’s an interesting read for anyone who loves our railways and how they used to be.

History writer Peter first became familiar with West Yorkshire’s railway stations when editing and publishing a smaller work on the subject 22 years ago. Now, with the help of the internet, he has included more information in this new book, covering stations from Aberford to Yeadon.

Peter has drawn on websites including lostrailwayswestyorkshire.co.uk, run by an army of enthusiasts who have documented when lines were built, where they were extended, what they included in terms of track layouts, bridges and signal boxes, what happened to them and what remains.

Stations covered in the book include Clayton and Clayton West, Cottingley, Dudley Hill, Eccleshill, Keighley, Low Moor, New Pudsey, Thackley and Wilsden.

“Railway station architecture never fails to impress or amaze,” writes Peter.

“Many stations date from the early 19th century and reflect the grandiose architecture of the time, lending prestige to the city or town as well as to railway operators.

“Looking at pictures of stations that have vanished, as well as buildings that still exist, the sheer size of them is breathtaking, as is the fine detail they incorporated.

“Another fascinating aspect of railway stations is the sheer numbers of staff they employed.

“Many staff are seen proudly posing in their uniforms alongside the stationmaster, everyone looking smart and efficient.”

Peter set out listing every known station in West Yorkshire, and because of the enormity of the task, the information included is kept to a bare minimum.

But, illustrated with charming picture postcards and images from railway photographers, the book provides a fascinating snapshot of railways past and present.

West Yorkshire Railway Stations, by Peter Tuffrey, is published by Amberley Publishing, priced £16.99.