 It gained Royal assent in June 1865.Thereafter the line was built in stages; Gilling to Helmsley in 1871 (opening on the same date as the new curve at Raskelf), Helmsley to Kirbymoorside in 1874 and Kirbymoorside to Pickering in 1875.The eastern end of the line entered Pickering from the south and connected with the York and North Midland Line from Rillington and the Forge Valley Line at a junction called Mill Lane.