Guide to the KWVR
- Railway
- History
- Charitable Trust
- Membership
- Volunteering
- Magazine
- TV and Film
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Keighley & Worth Valley Railway
Patron: H.R.H. The Duke of Kent
The KWVR is a standard gauge branch line which joins the national railway network at Keighley in the north east of England and runs 5-miles up the Worth Valley to Oxenhope. Other stations on the Line are at Ingrow, Damems, Oakworth (location of the film 'The Railway Children') and Haworth (the former home of the Brontë family).
The Railway is perhaps most famous for its role in the 1970 film version of Edith Nesbit's story The Railway Children. The Railway has published a book which describes the making of the film and includes over 70 photographs along with the recollections of many volunteers who were involved.
The decision to recreate the atmosphere of a 1950s branch line has been hugely popular, not least with film makers and TV producers. Over the years, the Railway has appeared in many TV and film productions including Yanks, Sherlock Holmes, Last of the Summer Wine, Treasure Hunt, Sons and Lovers, Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em, Poirot, Born and Bred, The Royal, Where The Heart Is, A Touch Of Frost, Songs Of Praise, and Pink Floyd's The Wall. ...
The railway is justifiably proud that its painstaking attention to detail pays off so handsomely. It is a railway for all seasons, where winter visitors can see the stations bathed in gaslight and warm themselves in front of the coal fires in the waiting rooms. In summer, the station gardens are alive with blooms. Kingfishers, herons and dippers can be seen in the adjacent streams.
Locally brewed real ale provides welcome refreshment in the on-train buffet car - more info here.
The Railway has come a long way since 1968 and continues to thrive thanks to the efforts of many dedicated volunteer staff. If you want to learn more about becoming a volunteer on Britain's finest heritage railway - click here ...
The KWVR's first public timetable from 1968 - note the name "The Bronte Line"
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History
The steep gradient up the Worth Valley from the Keighley terminus has been a challenge for locomotives ever since the line opened on 15th April 1867. The sound of a steam engine tackling this climb echoes from the steep sides of the valley, while great clouds of steam and smoke add drama to the scene.
Many of the woollen mills that once stood close to the line have been demolished, but a few remain as reminders that the textile industry was the reason why the line was built. Like the railway, the mills relied on coal, and the trains were able to bring hundreds of tons up the valley each week to keep the looms working by steam power. The five mile journey is a powerful reminder of our industrial heritage, as well as being a unique way of enjoying the beautiful countryside immortalised by Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë.
When British Railways closed the line in 1962, local people and railway enthusiasts joined forces to try and save it. A Preservation Society was formed and after many years of volunteer struggle the line re-opened to passenger traffic on 29th June 1968. ...
The Line was built in 1867 by local mill owners, but with the operation of trains 'franchised' to the Midland Railway which operated the adjoining Bradford/Leeds - Skipton line. The Midland Railway eventually bought out the KWVR Company. The Line became part of the London, Midland & Scottish Railway in 1924 and British Railways (BR) in 1948.
BR's economies closed the branch in 1962, but local opposition was such that a preservation society was formed which created a Company to buy the Line outright, lease access into Keighley station and operate a regular public service.
Re-opening
Diesel railcars were purchased to operate a daily passenger service, a diesel locomotive to work goods trains and several steam locomotives and carriages to operate a tourist service.
The Line reopened in 1968 and has been owned, operated and managed entirely by volunteer members of the preservation society ever since. The sale of the Worth Valley branch was the first privatisation of British Railways and the 6 year legal battle to transfer ownership was testament to this. It is amazing to think now, but the new KWVR did not have to raise the thousands of pounds 'up front' to buy the Line from BR, we paid them in instalments over the following 25 years - with no interest, simply the cost of the Branch / 25! We paid BR the final installment in 1992. ...
The six year closure led to the line's freight and 150,000 local passengers finding other means of transport. However a weekend morning diesel 'shopper' service proved viable together with a steam train service from midday, and a daily steam train service throughout the summer and public holiday weeks. Residents of the Valley can now apply for a special pass which gives them greatly reduced fares and provide a convenient alternative to the bus.
In the years since reopening not only has the KWVR developed into one of the country's premier 'heritage' railways it has continued a tradition of service to the communities along the Worth Valley, operating rail services on almost 200 days per year.
The Way We Were
Today's passengers could well be forgiven for thinking that the KWVR has always been the clean and well maintained place you see today. However things were very different back in 1962 when BR closed the line and everything was left to rot away or suffer at the hands of vandals. It took six years of hard work and tireless negotiations by volunteers of the Preservation Society before passenger trains finally ran again.
The Way We Were
The above picture shows a snowy Oxenhope station on 30th December 1961 - the day that BR ran it's last passenger train on the branch.
The Way We Were
Following closure, some of the stations suffered serious vandalism. The picture above shows Ingrow West station in the mid 1960s. The building proved beyond restoration and was demolished soon afterwards.
Fortunately the KWVR was able to rebuild a station on the site in the late 1980s and it is once again open for business.
The Way We Were
When the line re-opened in 1968, diesel railcars were used to provide a convenient service for morning commuters and shoppers.
These proved very popular and continue to complement the steam hauled trains for which the railway is now well known.
The Way We Were
Haworth station in the days of the original Keighley & Worth Valley Railway in the 1890s, before the Midland took over and extended the station building.
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Keighley & Worth Valley Railway Trust
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The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway needs your help!
Over the winter of 2009/10 some of the bridges on the Railway Children's Railway, one in particular, suffered serious damage and are now in need of major work. The famous bridges around Mytholmes, numbers 17 and 18, just south of Oakworth Station at the place where the Railway Children waved their red petticoats to stop the train, are those that we are concerned about. We have already had to put a speed limit on bridge 18. If they have to be closed, then they could sever the Railway within a few years, it's as simple as that. We must raise £250,000 for urgent work to be done to bridge 18 s soon as possible and also its sister bridge 17 needs early remedial work if this is not to suffer similar damage. Please send money, urgently, to Keighley & Worth Valley Trust. Thank You!
The Trust, registered charity number 1032933, was formed in 1995 as a means of raising capital sums for the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. The aim of the Trust is to support the maintenance and protection of the structures, buildings, plant, locomotives, rolling stock and equipment of the railway. Donations To make a donation to the KWVR Trust please download, print and complete the form below. Cheques should be made payable to "Keighley & Worth Valley Railway Trust". Trust Donation Form - click here (Word) PDF Here
Trustees are appointed by the Society's Council and represent the various committees of the railway together with a number of independent trustees. The Trust is an independent body governed by the Charities Act although the Trust's policy is to support only projects which have been approved by Council. The trustees do not manage projects but provide funding for projects which are managed by other groups on the railway.
Major projects which have been made possible by the Trust include:
- Rebuilding of SJ 1931 as WD 90733
- Repairs to Ingrow tunnel
- Feasibility study into possible development of the Great Northern junction site
- Purchase and overhaul of L&Y Ironclad 957
- Locomotive viewing area at Haworth
- Extension to the canopy at Keighley
The Trust's major achievement to date, however, has been the building of a brand new carriage shed at Oxenhope to protect the railway's operational coaches from the ravages of the Pennine weather, together with the refurbishment and cladding of the Goods Shed and Exhibition Shed. Over £1m was raised for the Oxenhope development, mainly from a grant of £600,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and a very generous bequest. ...
The Trust maintains a general fund for allocation according to current needs, together with other funds restricted to specific purposes. Money donated for any of the restricted funds will only be spent on the project for which it was donated.
Restricted funds include:
- 90733 Fund: The railway has rebuilt SJ 1931 as WD 90733 with the help of grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Science Museum's PRISM Fund. The Trust has set up a fund to keep the loco running and to pay for retubing the boiler in 2012 and the next 10-year overhaul in 2017
- 4F Fund to support the overhaul of 4F 43924
- Standard 4 Fund to support the Standard Four Society in maintaining and overhauling 75078 and 78022
- S160 Fund to support the overhaul of S1260 "Big Jim"
- 45212 Fund to pay for the return to the Worth Valley of Black Five 45212, currently based on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, and the next 10-year overhaul.
- 957 Fund: A fund is maintained to support the maintenance of the locomotive and to build up a reserve to fund the next 10-year overhaul.
- Diesel Traction Fund to support the railway's heritage diesel railcars and locomotives
- Club Car Fund to support the overhaul of the L&Y Trust's Club Car.
The Trust's income is derived from grants from bodies such as the Heritage Lottery Fund and from donations and legacies
- As a registered charity, the Trust can reclaim income tax paid under the Gift Aid scheme and many donors have increased the value of their gift by some 28% at no cost to themselves. Forms for making a donation and signing the Gift Aid Declaration are available at the railway's booking offices or simply write to the Trust's Treasurer at Haworth Station – a form for this purpose can be printed off the website. The Trust can also accept donations under the Payroll Giving scheme.
- If you wish to make a bequest to the Trust you can, of course, use your own solicitor or we are happy to help you with your will through the services of the Trust's legal adviser, a Trustee who is a qualified solicitor. If you wish us to help with this, please contact Nigel Ward c/o Haworth Station. On the other hand, if you wish to include a clause in your will without involving the Trust, simply use the following wording "I leave the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway Trust, Registered Charity number 1032933, the Railway Station, Station Road, Haworth, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom, the sum of £xxxxx free of tax". Please do not specify a particular purpose for the donation, other than any of the restricted funds, without consulting us first.
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Join the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway Preservation Society
For over forty years the Railway has been owned, managed and operated by the volunteer members of the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway Preservation Society.
Members of the Society are entitled to three free day rover tickets a year, half price travel at most other times - life members receive FREE travel on all regular service trains. In addition members receive quarterly copies of our prize-winning magazine Push and Pull and they have the satisfaction of belonging to one of the foremost Railway Preservation Societies in the world. In addition members of the Society can volunteer to work on the KWVR.
Join by Telephone. Membership may be obtained over the telephone by calling 01535 645214 midweek between 11am and 4pm with your credit or debit card details.
Volunteer. Members of the Society can volunteer to work on the KWVR - click tab above to find out more
| Annual Membership - *please note these prices are subject to change and only apply until April 2014* |
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| Adult | Open to everyone in the UK | £23 |
| Associate | Open to any person living at the same address as an Adult, Life or Senior member | £13.75 |
| Senior | 60+ | £18 |
| Junior | Under 16 years | £9 |
| Family | 2 Adults and up to 3 children | £42.50 |
| Overseas | Adults | £33 |
| Life Membership | ||
| Adult | Pay by 10 monthly instalments of £41 | £450 |
| Associate | Open to any person living at the same address as an Adult, Life or Senior member | £265 |
| Senior | 60+ | £225 |
| Senior Associate | Open to any person living at the same address as an Adult, Life or Senior member | £130 |
| Overseas | Open to persons resident outside the UK | £530 |
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Working on the KWVR
The KWVR is owned, operated and managed entirely by members of the Preservation Society. Members have the opportunity of volunteering for work on the Railway. The Railway's highly democratic structure enables all members to take an active part in forming policy of each department. Members of each department vote on issues which affect their department at monthly committee meetings and elect the chair and secretary of their committee each year who run the department from day-to-day. The elected officers of each committee in turn report to the Council of the Society (elected by the entire Society membership) which meets each month in Haworth. The KWVR is very proud of this unique democratic structure which is similar to a small town council. The KWVR is essentially a workers' co-operative.
How do I volunteer to work on the KWVR?
There is no typical KWVR volunteer: there are bank managers, shop workers, nurses, computer programmers, telephone engineers, bus drivers, the unemployed, clergymen, students and factory workers - plus the occasional professional railwayman too! Some volunteers virtually live on the Railway, others limit their commitment to a day a month. Some work in the public eye, others slave away in workshops (or at computer screens!). All departments provide training to new volunteers. The KWVR now has an excellent purpose built accommodation block - Stanier House at Haworth, which is available free of charge to volunteers working on the Line - advance booking is recommended. Please note that for their own safety and that of the passengers, volunteers with impaired eyesight, hearing or mobility will not normally be able to undertake operating duties or work on the track. However, the Railway's policy is to allow all people to do as much as they can safely and competently manage.
Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Push And Pull Magazine Winter 2010/2011
Push and Pull's Winter 2010/2011 edition explains the way the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway Preservation Society is changing itself into a company limited by guarantee, which will have charitable status. May sound dry as dust stuff, but it isn't – it's fundamental to the ability of our Railway to survive and develop, to attract grants and tax benefits – and to limit liability on the membership for the financial implications of a major incident.
The hard and skilled physical work of running the Railway shows in John Hoyle's report on two “Civil Weeks” – showing how track is replaced, new ballast and rails laid and the line renewed – not as easy (or as dull) as you might think.
And in the Locomotive Notes, Steve Harris show dramatically the effect of poor coal on our historic steam engines – explaining with photos how the fire grate of the WD 2-8-0 No. 90733 was badly damaged, when poor coal clinkered, then melted vital components.
There's look at the warm sunny days of Autumn and the Steam Gala, with locos 41241, 957, 80002, visitor 73129 and Bellerophon steaming across the centre-spread. ...
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The KWVR as a location for film & TV productions
Great location - Producers have found the KWVR offers a range of locations in a compact 5 mile line. All this only 75 mins drive from the television studios at Leeds and Manchester, less than 3 hours by train from London Kings Cross.
- Six stations - Keighley, Ingrow, Damems, Oakworth, Haworth, Oxenhope
- Approximately five miles of track (some of it double track)
- Four signal boxes
- Two tunnels
- Two level crossings
- A turntable
- Several bridges and a viaduct
- Extensive first hand knowledge of film production requirements.
The KWVR can offer a wealth of production experience plus "main line urban" and "branch line rural" stone-built stations, all with authentic working fittings such as coal fires, gas lighting, period posters and signs. Historic steam and diesel locomotives, carriages and wagons complete the authentic scene of any period from 1860s to 1960s. Whatever the size of your production - or budget, we can help. From an afternoon fashion catalogue stills shoot with no train to several days filming with hired-in steam locomotives and Victorian carriages. ...
Below are some examples of adverts produced at the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway (courtesy of Youtube).
Cinema Credits
The Railway Children, Yanks, Fairy Tale - a True Story, Jude (BBC Films ), Another Brick in the Wall (Pink Floyd), Escape from the Dark (Disney)
The classic 1970 version of The Railway Children starring Dinah Sheridan, Jenny Agutter, Sally Thomsett and Bernard Cribbins, was filmed here on the K&WVR. For further information, plus memories and photographs from those who were actually involved at the time - click here
TV Credits
The League of Gentlemen, Resurrection, A Woman of Substance, Song of Experience, Last of the Summer Wine, Housewife 49, Treasure Hunt, A Touch of Frost, Anorak of Fire, Poirot, Sherlock Holmes, Gardeners' World, Songs of Praise, The Royal, How We Used to Live, Haworth - a Summer in Bronte Country, Born and Bred, All Creatures Great & Small, Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em, Noel's House Party, Play School, Where the Heart Is, Hade Edge Brass Band documentary.
TV Commercials
Symbol Crackers - filmed with Ronnie Corbett in Ingrow tunnel, Budweiser - for the US market, Solvite - the wallpapered locomotive, Tetley Bitter - leaves on the Line, Hovis Biscuits - with Flying Scotsman at Keighley , Head and Shoulders shampoo - with 80002 at Keighley
Vintage Carriers
Britain's premier independent collection of historic carriages is based at the Museum of Rail Travel, Ingrow on the KWVR. See the Vintage Carriages Trust for full details - click here
Many other classic carriages are based on the railway, including several private owner vehicles and some in the care of the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Trust.
Links
Background information on the making of the 1970 film The Railway Children film, with info on locations, locomotives used and more click here
Gallery - scenes around the KWVR click here See our rolling stock list for more details on locomotives & carriages based on the KWVR click here
See our rolling stock list for more details on locomotives & carriages based on the KWVR click here
Contact Us
If you are looking to re-create a particular period the KWVR can advise on the type and availability of locomotives and carriages from all over the UK, not just the KWVR. Whatever advice you require please contact our Filming Liaison Officer, Roger France:
Telephone: 01535 645214
Email:
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Alternatively you may contact our admin office during normal midweek office hours on 01535 645214.
