21 December 2011

Friday 30th December 2011 will be a special day for both volunteers and visitors at the famous Keighley & Worth Valley Railway as they recall the 50th anniversary of the last ever passenger train and the line’s closure by British Railways.


A Class 108 diesel multiple unit is seen at Oakworth station on a recent morning service.
This is the same type of unit which operated the last ever BR train on 30th December 1961

50 years on, the Society which rescued the line and developed it into a leading tourist attraction will be remembering that fateful day by recreating the last ever train using exactly the same type of diesel unit which operated on 30th December 1961.

BR’s last Worth Valley branch train was set off from Keighley by the local mayor, so the KWVR has invited the current Mayor to repeat this gesture on Friday 30th December 2011 when he will wave off the final train of the day from Oxenhope at 5.30pm and Keighley at 6pm.

KWVR spokesman, Kieran Pilsworth, recalls, “British Railways closed the line because it was difficult to manage and passenger numbers were declining. The railway would have been lost forever if not for the formation of the Keighley and Worth Valley Preservation Society. Thanks to our team of dedicated, skilled and qualified volunteers we now have something of a national treasure, attracting over 100,000 passengers per year and contributing around £6m pounds to the local economy. We are delighted to be able to mark this anniversary.”

Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “The railway continues to delight visitors from around the country and the globe every week and plays a key role in attracting visitors to our great county. It is steeped in history and this event celebrates a turning point in the fortunes of this particular railway and the eventual birth of a new tourist attraction.”

The railway is looking forward to the NEXT 50 years and ‘Mince Pie Special’ steam trains will be operating daily over the Christmas and New Year holidays from Boxing Day to 3rd January.

18 July 2011

In addition to the published services, a special vintage train service will operate on Saturday 23rd July hauled by the newly restored Midland 4F No. 43924 and using coaches from the VCT collection - INCLUDING THE NEWLY RESTORED BULLEID COACH. For full timetable details please click HERE.

29 April 2011

An action packed weekend for young and old. Ride in coaches which appeared in the film pulled by “The Green Dragon” (957).

At Oakworth Station, the heart of the Railway Children, you will be able to see the story re-enacted with performers in period costumes whilst the trains are in the station. Visit all the sites on a guided tour of the sites used in the film (see tours)

See displays and photos taken during filming and other exhibits.

We shall be inviting stars from the film and from the Play at Waterloo.

Come in 1905 costume and get FREE tickets. Round off the Royal Wedding Weekend with a visit to the Railway Children’s Railway.

Dates April 30th, May 1st, May 2nd. Pre-booking not required except for the Cream Teas – telephone 01535 645214

Timetable

The following timetable will operate on all 3 days of the Railway Children Weekend

	D	D	B	RC	B	RC	B	RC	B	RC	B
Oxenhope	0900	1015	1100	1145	1230	1320	1410	1500	1550	1640	1730
Haworth	0905	1020	1106	1151	1236	1326	1416	1506	1556	1646	1736
Oakworth	0908	1023	1109	1154	1239	1329	1419	1509	1559	1649	1739
Damems	0913	1028	1113	1158	1243	1333	1423	1513	1603	1653	1743
Ingrow (West)	0916	1031	1118	1203	1248	1338	1428	1518	1608	1658	1748
Keighley	0925	1040	1125	1210	1255	1345	1435	1525	1615	1705	1755
	D	D	B	RC LS	B	RC SF	B	RC LS	B	RC
Keighley	0940	1100	1145	1230	1320	1412	1500	1550	1640	1730	1820
Ingrow (West)	0945	1106	1151	1236	1326	-	1506	1556	1646	1736	1826
Damems	0948	1109	1154	1239	1329	-	1509	1559	1649	1739	1829
Oakworth	0952	1115	1157	1250	1332	-	1512	1610	1652	1742	1832
Haworth	0955	1120	1205	1255	1340	1430	1520	1615	1700	1750	1840
Oxenhope	1000	1125	1210	1300	1345	1435	1525	1620	1705	1755	1845

All Trains in the above timetable are STEAM trains, except trains shown as    D   , which are a 1950's Diesel Train.
 B = Buffet Car available on board this train.
  RC  = The carriages in this train are "The Railway Children" carriages.
  LS  = This train stops near Oakworth for a recreation of the landslip.
  SF  = "The Scotch Flyer"

 

Guided Tours of 'The Railway Children' Filming Locations

Visit many of the sites in the Valley where filming took place. See Three Chimneys and Mr Perks Cottage' stand astride the stile that gave Perks so much trouble; visit the site of the landslide scene; see Mrs Ransom’s Post office and much, much more - all with our experienced guides one of who was an extra in the film and will reveal all. Please bring a packed lunch and Stout Shoes for walking on uneven ground. The tour takes place on Saturday 30th commencing 10.30am at Haworth station. The cost per person is £29.50 including unlimited KWVR rail travel on the day and a free copy of the book 'The Making of The Railway Children' . To secure yoir place please phone 01535 645214 during midweek office hours.

The above tour can be made available on selected midweek dates by special arrangement dependent upon guide availability. Parties of 7+ cost £29.50/head. (Parties of 1-3, £90). Contact 01535 645214 for bookings.

GENERAL CONDITIONS

The hours or times stated in the Company's Timetables, Books, Bills and Notices are appointed as those at which it is intended - so far as circumstances will permit - that the trains shall depart from and arrive at the several stations, but their departure or arrival at the time stated is not guaranteed, nor will the Company under any circumstances be held responsible for delay or detention, however occasioned, or any consequences arising therefrom. The right to alter or suspend the running of any train is reserved.

28 February 2011

Following the success of the Railway Children event in 2010, this popular event has returned for 2011.

Held from Saturday 30th April to Monday 2nd May, this event will be an action packed weekend for young and old. Ride in coaches which appeared in the film pulled by “The Green Dragon” (957). At Oakworth Station, the heart of the Railway Children, you will be able to see the story re-enacted with performers in period costumes whilst the trains are in the station. Visit all the sites on a guided tour of the sites used in the film.

What's more, if you buy your Family Day Rover ticket in advance you can save £5. The Family Day Rover ticket allows unlimited all day travel and entry into the museums at Ingrow West Station for 2 adults and up to 3 children / concessions. It is already excellent value at £35, but if you buy in advance you only pay £30!

You can even enjoy a luxurious cream tea in "The Old Gentleman's" coach - the same one used in the film.

Full details of this exciting event, including timetables, additional attractions and events, as well as how to buy your tickets in advance can be found on the event page HERE.

12 January 2011

 

 A superb three day steam extravaganza with up to EIGHT steam locomotives in action during the event.

• Express trains, double headed trains, vintage trains and demonstration goods trains

• Real ale buffet cars on most trains including our famous “Jubilee Bar”

•  Hot food served on board our Restaurant Car in Oxenhope Exhibition Shed on all 3 days

•  Evening gas lit train Saturday evening.

•  Morning all line demonstration goods train.
  
   

LOCOMOTIVES IN TRAFFIC .................

Visiting Locomotives: Black Fives No’s 44767 & 44871.

Resident locomotives : BR locos 47279, 80002. L&Y 957. WD 90733, BLS owned “Nunlow”.


TIMETABLES ................. (Updated 28th January)
 
FRIDAY 11th February

SATURDAY 12th February 

SUNDAY 13th February
  

 GUIDED TOURS AND VINTAGE BUSES ................... 

 Guided Tours of Haworth Locomotive Shed and Works & Oxenhope Carriage and Wagon Works 

The KWVR has recently expanded its services to include a series of very popular ‘Behind the Scenes’ guided tours.  We are happy to offer these on each day of the Steam Gala’ Weekend.  These will take parties round the Works and Sheds at Haworth where the locomotives are housed and maintained and Oxenhope, where the carriages are housed and maintained.  The tours will take place on the hour, every hour, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The Haworth Tours will start from the Station Forecourt (Booking Hall if wet) whilst the Oxenhope Tours will start at the same times from the Exhibition Shed entrance, outside the station (inside the Shed if wet). 

No charge is made for either tour, but we are more than happy to accept a donation to the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway Trust, whose ‘Oakworth Bridges Appeal’ will benefit directly.

The Haworth Tours are always very heavily subscribed and we are limited to a maximum of fifteen people per tour to ensure your safety.  They will be on a first come first served basis, but our Host who will meet all tourers in Haworth Booking Hall will, if tours are over subscribed, take bookings for a later tour so that all who wish ultimately will be accommodated

Vintage Bus Services
You cannot understand the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway unless you understand its geography and topography; created by local people for local people, it has a tremendous history and story to tell, it is very much a part of the local story and landscape.  It is so, so much more than just a place to see steam locomotives and old trains in operation.  It is a Railway with a capital ‘R’. 

Therefore, to encourage and enable visitors to understand and appreciate the stunning scenery, and put our terrific little railway into context, vintage ‘bus services will operate, entirely free of charge between Haworth and Oxenhope Stations via the valleys of the Bridgehouse and Sladen becks and that of the River Worth. 

From 10 a.m., all uphill trains (that’s from Keighley) will connect at Haworth with a vintage ‘bus to Oxenhope (service departs five minutes after the train arrives, from the Station Forecourt). This will provide a short tour of about 15minutes, via Haworth Village and Moor, Marsh and Moorhouse Lane to Oxenhope.  All train arrivals at Oxenhope will connect (service departs five minutes after the train arrives, from the Station Forecourt) with a vintage ‘bus service to Haworth via Hebden Road.  This gives excellent views of the Railway in the Valley, Bents Farm (which was Three Chimneys the Railway Children’s House) and Haworth Village.  


FARES ................

All normal fares are valid, with the exception of the DAY ROVER, which is altered as follows:

Day Rover	£17 (adults), £14 (KWVR members/OAPs/disabled),  £8.50 (Children 5-15 inclusive & local residents),  £46  (Family – 2+3).
2 Day Rover	£30 (adults), £25 (KWVR members/OAPs/disabled),  £15 (children 5-15 inclusive & local residents),  £81 (Family – 2+3)
3 Day Rover	£39 (adults), £33 (KWVR members/OAPs/disabled). £19.50 (children 5-15 inclusive & local residents),   £99 (Family - 2+3)

FREE MEMBERS DISCOUNTS ARE WITHDRAWN.

KWVRPS Members, and members of other organisations with whom we have reciprocal agreements, are entitled to CONCESSION FARE – SEE ABOVE.

*Please note: you must have a valid Lineside Permit to take photographs on or about the lineside. Permits will be inspected during the weekend. Your permit is invalid without an in-date membership card. Please carry you permit and membership card with you at all times when on or about the line.

15 December 2010

Visiting locomotives for our Winter Steam Gala will be Black Fives No. 44767 George Stephenson and No. 44871.



For more info, please visit our Steam Gala page.