Do you remember the iconic film of “The Railway Children” with Jenny Agutter – well this was where it was filmed…
The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway is a delightful short branch line running through some splendid West Yorkshire scenery from Keighley to Oxenhope.
Stations have been beautifully restored to what they might have looked like in in the 1950s with the red and cream paint of the Midland Railway, gas lamps and coal fires in the winter months. There are fire buckets, porter’s trolleys, milk churns, VR post boxes and enamel advertising signs. It is popular with film makes and TV producers.
The single track branch line opened in 1867, funded by wealthy mill owners. This was part of the great wool weaving area of West Yorkshire and there were many mills along the valley. The first mills were powered with water power but as demand increased, this was replaced by steam power. The railway brought coal to the mills and took away the finished woven fabric. The mills are no longer working, Many have been demolished but a few buildings still remain.
The branch closed in 1962, part of the Beecham cuts. Passenger numbers were dwindling and there was little freight traffic. There was extensive local opposition to the closure, lead by the MP for Keighley, Bob Cryer. A Preservation Society was soon formed with plans to buy the line, lease access to Keighley Station and operate a regular public service. 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. Many of the buildings had been left derelict and vandalised and had to be rebuilt.
Trains began running again in 1968. 1970 was a significant moment in the history of the newly reopened railway as Oakworth Station featured in the film of the Railway Children. Passenger numbers increased rapidly. The line was single track and could only operate one train in service. A passing loop was built at Damens to allow two trains to run.
The railway is as popular as ever with both locals who use it to Keighley, as well as visitors. It is also renowned among beer lovers as the only heritage railway in the world to offer real ale on board its trains. Many staff are volunteers.
The railway climbs 320’ from Keighley to Oxenhope with an average gradient of 1 in 56. This means locos have to work hard. The profile has been copied from the Lost Railways of West Yorkshire website for the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway.
Starting from Keighley, the town is soon left behind as the line winds up through the Worth Valley to Haworth and the terminus at Oxenhope. The derelict mill buildings remind you this was once a thriving wool area. The line follows the river through pastures yellow with buttercups with the bare hillsides beyond.
It is a leisurely run with a 20 minute layover at both Keighley and Oxenhope - time to get out, have a quick cup of tea, look in the shop and watch the loco run round.
The stations are manned and volunteers keep the gardens looking nice.
The trip is pure nostalgia. Haworth Station has copies of the iconic Railway posters from the 40s and 50s advertising the delights of the British Countryside.
Cont...
The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway is a delightful short branch line running through some splendid West Yorkshire scenery from Keighley to Oxenhope.
Stations have been beautifully restored to what they might have looked like in in the 1950s with the red and cream paint of the Midland Railway, gas lamps and coal fires in the winter months. There are fire buckets, porter’s trolleys, milk churns, VR post boxes and enamel advertising signs. It is popular with film makes and TV producers.
The single track branch line opened in 1867, funded by wealthy mill owners. This was part of the great wool weaving area of West Yorkshire and there were many mills along the valley. The first mills were powered with water power but as demand increased, this was replaced by steam power. The railway brought coal to the mills and took away the finished woven fabric. The mills are no longer working, Many have been demolished but a few buildings still remain.
The branch closed in 1962, part of the Beecham cuts. Passenger numbers were dwindling and there was little freight traffic. There was extensive local opposition to the closure, lead by the MP for Keighley, Bob Cryer. A Preservation Society was soon formed with plans to buy the line, lease access to Keighley Station and operate a regular public service. 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. Many of the buildings had been left derelict and vandalised and had to be rebuilt.
Trains began running again in 1968. 1970 was a significant moment in the history of the newly reopened railway as Oakworth Station featured in the film of the Railway Children. Passenger numbers increased rapidly. The line was single track and could only operate one train in service. A passing loop was built at Damens to allow two trains to run.
The railway is as popular as ever with both locals who use it to Keighley, as well as visitors. It is also renowned among beer lovers as the only heritage railway in the world to offer real ale on board its trains. Many staff are volunteers.
The railway climbs 320’ from Keighley to Oxenhope with an average gradient of 1 in 56. This means locos have to work hard. The profile has been copied from the Lost Railways of West Yorkshire website for the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway.
Starting from Keighley, the town is soon left behind as the line winds up through the Worth Valley to Haworth and the terminus at Oxenhope. The derelict mill buildings remind you this was once a thriving wool area. The line follows the river through pastures yellow with buttercups with the bare hillsides beyond.
It is a leisurely run with a 20 minute layover at both Keighley and Oxenhope - time to get out, have a quick cup of tea, look in the shop and watch the loco run round.
The stations are manned and volunteers keep the gardens looking nice.
The trip is pure nostalgia. Haworth Station has copies of the iconic Railway posters from the 40s and 50s advertising the delights of the British Countryside.
Cont...
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