First Autumn Steam Visitor Announced
GWR Pannier Tank No. 1501 has being announced as the first visitor to our Autumn Steam Spectacular, taking place between 11-13th October 2013.
FURTHER INFORMATION can be found here.
Photo: Tom Clarke
Midland 3F New Versions
The Worth Valley railway is pleased to announce 2 further versions of the exclusive 3F model of the regular branch goods loco which powered the final BR train on the line, the Society special of June 1962.New Stock Book Out Now!!
Our eagerly awaited Stock Book has just been published. Covering KWVR, VCT, L&Y Railway Trust, BLS and Standard 4 Society rolling stock the book has photos and a detailed history of each item. Priced at £5.95 (plus £1 p&p) the book is available through all our shops, via tel 01535 646838 or via This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . This mine of information will delight all enthusisasts !
Our Friends at Bahamas secure Lottery funding!
HERITAGE LOTTERY FUND SUPPORTS RESTORATION OF ‘JUBILEE’ CLASS STEAM LOCOMOTIVE 45596 “BAHAMAS” TO RUNNING ORDER
“What started with The Rocket in the 1820’s ended with Bahamas in 1961”
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has awarded a grant of £775,800 to the Bahamas Locomotive Society (BLS), a Registered Charity based at Ingrow on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, to restore its 1934-built ‘Jubilee’ class main-line steam locomotive 45596 BAHAMAS to running order.
The engine, of both local and national significance, is now 78 years old and was the last steam engine to be used by British Rail to experiment on in BR’s attempts to improve the performance of its fleet of steam engines. This was the fitting, in May 1961, of a unique double chimney and blast-pipe.
The BLS will contribute a further £130,000 to the restoration project to be run entirely by volunteers.
John Hillier, the BLS spokesman responsible for the bid, said:
“We are extremely grateful to the HLF for endorsing our plans to enable this famous steam locomotive to be restored to running order once more. We are also delighted that the restoration of an historic coach which will provide a unique setting for an Educational and Exhibition Resource Centre will be sited adjacent to our Museum at Ingrow.
The project will provide employment, training and skill development opportunities at our contractors and at our base on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. We would also like to acknowledge the support of our partners and countless individuals in helping us progress our plans towards a successful conclusion.”
Fiona Spiers, Head of the HLF Yorkshire and the Humberside, said:
“This project will deliver high quality benefits and value for Lottery money. The project offers lots of exciting opportunities for employment, volunteers, training and education in addition to wider public participation in the restoration of this magnificent steam engine. Once it is restored we hope it will also drive further tourism to Yorkshire.”
BAHAMAS is currently on view inside the National Railway Museum at York but in mid-April is due to return to Ingrow where work on the overhaul will begin. It is hoped that the engine will be operational again by early 2017.
In support of the project the BLS has developed several partnership arrangements with groups such as Welcome to Yorkshire, the Great Yorkshire Brewery and the Bahamas Tourist Office. It has a long term tenancy agreement with the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, one of its other partners.
Haworth 1940s Weekend
This years 1940s event in Haworth village is themed on the Dambuster raid as it will be the 70th Anniversary. There will be flypasts on both days if the weather stays kind.
Last year the weekend raised over £12,000 for Help the Heroes and this year we are raisingfunds for SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Families Association), the oldest forces charity in the UK which supports veterans and their families whatever their needs. The Keighley division is sadly growing day by day and has outgrown their current premise on Temple Row. They are supporting over 100 families in Keighley alone.
Events will be spread all over the town will lots of action in Haworth Park and more activities on the Parsonage car park.
The railway will be operating two 1940’s steam engines all day, although at this stage we do not know which engines.
Our Stations will all be decorated in 1940s style with 1940s music and lots of passengers in 1940s costumes. Our Young Persons group will be selling Picture Post Magazine which incorporates the event programme.
Evacuees travel on train from Keighley to Haworth on Saturday and we understand “The Queen” is likely to put in an appearance.
Park and Ride schemes will operate from Ingrow and Keighley to Haworth
On Saturday evening, what could be better than fish and chips on our Haworth Haddock,
