The old station before the hotel was built Through the railings on Tanner Row you can see the old York Railway Station, which was built in 1840 and continued in use until the 1950s. The platforms were demolished in 1966. In 1852, the first Station Hotel was added to the front of the station. It acquired the 'Royal' title when Queen Victoria and her entourage stopped by in September 1854 en route from Buckingham Palace to her beloved Balmoral Castle.