At the end of the day, we also got some time on the footplate – and as there is still considerable snow around, standing in front of the firebox was a welcome relief!

Carload to charity shop

watched the shipping and storing items leave my house crammed everything else into my car and set off on a roadtrip around England visiting friends and family around the country.

My hosts mostly have jobs and have to take themselves off to work every morning, while I had my days free.  England isn’t that big, so it isn’t as though I was driving all day to see each of the friends.  I spent a fair amount of time in various cafes, including motorway service stations reading books, staring out of the window wistfully, composing and writing blog posts.

Haworth Station

While in Yorkshire, I decided to break that routine and went to visit the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.  The trains weren’t actually running that day, they tend not to during the week outside school holidays.  They have got a great shop at Haworth Station which carries a wide range of models as well as postcards and gifts relating to the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.  If you want to see the railway line in action, you can always watch The Railway Children!

One of the stations along that line is Ingrow, which has a railway museum run by the Vintage Carriage Trust.  This volunteer organisation ‘rescues’ and repairs/refurbishes old railway carriages and locomotives, some of which are used on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, as well as loaned out to to other parties at times as film props.

They also have a vast collection of old signs and maps from a wide range of British Railway lines.  One of my favourites was this map of the Metropolitan Line:

Golf Courses – as important as stations!

and the guide to how to deal with air-raids:

Apologies for the poor quality photography, all the more reason for you to go and visit to see it all first hand – the work they do in preserving examples of trains and carriages is only surpassed in the maintenance of basic trade skills to complete the restoration.  I’m sure you’ll be as welcome as I was and your contribution by paying the entry will be much appreciated.

Related articles

• The Railway Children’s transporting magic (guardian.co.uk)
• The best films about rail travel (telegraph.co.uk)

I really enjoy being an uncle. I have the tiniest amount of responsibility, far less of the hassle, and my greatest task is to ensure Noah’s enjoying himself. I love it!

One of the best parts is coming up with new and interesting places to visit. I get to go to loads of places that I probably wouldn’t ordinarily without the excuse of taking Noah out, especially when I’m at home over school holidays and Aunty Sharon’s at work. I’d be at home if it weren’t for taking him out.

And so, knowing his penchant for Thomas the Tank Engine, I thought the perfect place for a day out would be the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. KWR’s a great day out for people of all ages, whether you’re a trainspotter, steam punker, Bronte fanatic or just want something a bit different.

We set off, Noah, his mum and I, quite early, certainly early for a school holiday. Taking the modern electric train up to Keighley, we changed platforms and entered another world. It wasn’t quite King Cross’ platform 9¾, but it’s a close to that as you can get without CGI. Keighley’s platform 4 is festooned with memorabilia from the age of steam: real clocks with hands, old-style posters, a ladies’ waiting room and much, much more. Although I believed the steam trains to be the stars of the show, we were getting a diesel train up the line to Haworth.

The note on the timetable – diesel – was a complete understatement. I expected the usual carriages pulled by a diesel locomotive, filling in whilst the steam loco’s engine warmed. Instead, we were treated to something I’d never experienced – a railbus. A tiny little thing with only two compartments and not articulation, the Waggon & Maschinenbau M79964 was a sight to behold chugging into the station. The station was quite busy with a few tourists, like us, but a hearty number of rail enthusiasts, and I immediately understood why they’d come. It may not have the media-blown nostalgia that the steam engines have, nor the presence and power, but it put huge smiles on our faces. As we spoke of the day afterwards, this unexpected treasure and delight was our firm favourite. We boarded and got a seat right up at the front, affording us a view the steam engines couldn’t in any way beat: the front seats are right at the front with nothing ahead. The driver sat in a small compartment next to us and we had the same view as him, and we attracted more than a couple jealous glances from the trainspotters on board. The little diamond kept on giving as we tootled up the valley as, just by Damems station, a pair of small deer shot across the tracks right in front of, startling the passengers (though not the driver – must be a frequent occurrence). This little trip up the valley on this miniature machine was possibly the best, and certainly the most unexpectedly charming, train rides I’ve ever been on.

We alighted at Haworth, the penultimate stop, and walked outside to be greeted by the vintage open top bus which spends its days wending its way between Haworth and Oxenhope, delighting steam enthusiasts, Bronte lovers and Dales walkers. Using our very reasonable £15 Day Rover ticket, allowing us the freedom of KWVR & the bus all day, we nipped up to Haworth Main St. Haworth’s great! I’ve been quite a few times and love the BronteParsonageMuseum, the views and the walks. Due to Noah’s tender years, each of these seemed a little out touch. We wandered a bit, with Noah being drawn to Mrs Beighton’s Swett Shop time and again, before going into a new place to me: Gascoigne’s Steam Powered Brewery.

Gascoigne’s steam brewing restaurant and bistro oozes character and charm whilst being new and shiny and welcoming. Having perused the menu on the wall, we went in. Still a bit early for the coaches coming from north and south, we were the only patrons, and the staff were warm, welcoming and very friendly. I couldn’t go to the bar without being told in a most friendly-yet-firm tone that what I wanted would be brought over. They couldn’t have been more accommodating – a traditional Yorkshire welcome blended perfectly with gastro pub chic. The food was reasonably priced, especially for the tourist honey trap of Haworth. For about £7-8, a huge, delicious and mouthwatering meal came. My burger was big, thick, pink in the middle, succulent and oh so very good. The chips, thick cut and homemade, arrived in a separate bowl, such was their abundance. Carly’s small fish and chips – in a crunchy, crisp ‘True Tyke’ batter with a whole bowl of mushy peas! – was so big, the normal portion must be whale. Noah picked from the children’s menu and was spoilt with cheese sandwich and chips, the cheese coming in a delicious ‘scuffler’ (a white bread roll for those, as I, who don’t know). I tried a couple of their own beers which are served on tap – delicious. The Rascal – a naughty blonde ale named after Yorkshire’s Fat Rascals – was light and not too hoppy, as some can be.

Of course, we had to visit the sweet shop. Never mind Noah, Carly and I were transported back in time to a world proper sweets which we could barely remember, and at times predated our own sugary memories. Pontefract cakes, Yorkshire mixture and licquorice root made our eyes swim and mouths water. Yum!

Full and happy, we set off for what I’d billed as the main event: the steam train. We got the bus back to Haworth Station and went into the glorious shop. From tiny kids to big kids, the shop is an homage to all things rail. The day tripper mixes with the confirmed enthusiast. I checked the timetable and, as those who know could’ve predicated, realised I’d got it wrong. However, this was truly serendipitous, as now we could watch the steam engine arrive and leave Haworth for Oxenhope, then chase it over the moors on the bus before doing the full length of the line back under glorious steam power.

We milled about a bit before taking our places on the bridge just up the line from the station, affording us a great view of the LMS 4F No 43924 as it appeared. First, we saw smoke signals rising out of the trees, then it came into view – a monster! Chuffing and chugging up the hill, it spilled out its passengers and replaced them with more. Then, it was off again, coming right underneath us. Noah loved every second, until its shrill whistle scared him and we had a couple of seconds of tears before his smile reappeared.

Click here to watch the video I took of the steam enging arrriving at and leaving Haworth Station.

When it had gone, we went down, boarded the bus, and chased it over the moors to Oxenhope. On board, we got a very Yorkshire guide: informative and friendly without the glitz or glam I’ve experienced on tours of cities. We had a history of the area, tour of the geography, sight seeing of important landmarks and literary touchstones, and ideas for what we might like to do later, all with a smile. Noah slept – I don’t know how – all the way through it, over hills and down dales, and all on the top deck on a cold day.

At Oxenhope, we had quite a while to see the steam engine in situ, exploring it from the platform. It was massive, imposing and thoroughly overwhelming – everything the little diesel wasn’t. Onboard, we enjoyed the scenery again, seeing what Victorian pioneers would have seen and experiencing it how they would have.

At Keighley, we watched the loco change ends and, in a magnificent display of control, delicately manoeuvre from front to back, delicately kiss the now-front carriage and get coupled up, ready for the return journey. Seeing the skill of the driver put literally tons of metal and huge, unimaginable power in just the right place, down to the centimetre, was awe inspiring.

KWVR more than shows us our history in beautiful, wonderful detail, allowing us to experience it rather than just looking at it in glass cases. As a Briton, Yorkshireman and Bradfordian, the railway, with the opportunities, fortunes and sea change in society it brought, is part of my culture, and I am so grateful KWVR allows me to experience, celebrate and share it.

And then, off we went. Home to Shipley on the now unimaginably modern Aire Valley Line. We were full, happy and had had a wonderful experience, all within 20 minutes of home. Bradford & District has many hidden gems, but, surely, KWVR is one of its most precious and prized gems.

We were on Keighley station a couple of weekends ago, but hey, here we are again. We had a free ticket and it was something to do. I choose this picture today partly because of the colour and shapes, but mainly because the sign above makes it look like these are the rudimentary toilet facilities. I mean, I know this heritage railway is preserving how things were a hundred years ago or whatever, but this seems to be taking it a bit far.

Another gorgeous, sunny day. The Keighley & Worth Valley railway is visited by members of this family about two or three times a year. I know I spend enough time on trains as it is but it’s reachable on a single bus journey from just outside our house; it keeps Joe entertained; and they serve real ale from the buffet car. That’s ticking several boxes…

the life and times of the LNWR Coal Tanks

A new book written by Peter W. Skellon about the 0-6-2 tank locomotives, known as Coal Tanks, and particularly about No.1054, which started life in preservation in a temporary home at the Railway Preservation Society, West Midlands branch at Hednesford, Staffs.  This was, of course, the forerunner of today’s Chasewater Light Railway and Museum.

For anyone interested in purchasing a copy, the address and details are given above.

 No.1054 at Hednesford in the early 1960s

]]> http://detouruk.wordpress.com/2011/03/25/rock-and-rail-summer-music-steam-railway-festival-keighley-worth-valley-railway-10-12-june-2011/ Fri, 25 Mar 2011 16:42:04 +0000 detouruk http://detouruk.wordpress.com/2011/03/25/rock-and-rail-summer-music-steam-railway-festival-keighley-worth-valley-railway-10-12-june-2011/

An early post on this unique Rock and Rail Festival which promises to be a big hit and to book up fast!!  Happening over the Summer, 10-12 June 2011, organised by the classic Railway Children railway – The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway in West Yorkshire with station stops including Bronte village Haworth and Oakworth.

A mix of live music styles will feature as part of this top music festival in West Yorkshire. Have steam trains and rock music festivals ever come together before? This is a first and unique event not to be missed. A festival atmosphere is guaranteed around Oxenhope along the Keighley and Worth Valley line which will be the main venue for the event with the exhibition shed there housing a stage and bar.

LIVE MUSIC WILL ALSO FEATURE ON THE HERITAGE STEAM TRAINS THEMSELVES! running along the Keighley & Worth Valley line. Early booking recommended via the website to avoid disappointment. Award-winning Yorkshire hand pulled real ales also served on the trains.

Find out more about the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway here

Browse B&Bs and accommodation in Keighley, Oakworth, Oxenhope and places to stay in Bronte village Haworth all along or near the Rock and Rail Festival this summer and within easy reach of the Keighley & Worth Valley. A definite date for the diary.

Taking on Water

Poster showing stations on the Worth Valley, and connections to the national rail network.  Users of public transport should note that there is a bus link between Oxenhope Station and Hebden Bridge station.  Trains serve Hebden Bridge from Manchester Victoria; Blackpool North; Preston and York.

I spent most of the day riding up and down the line, and so most of my pictures were taken at the 2 termini of the railway (Keighley and Oxenhope) – the next few are taken when I arrived back at Oxenhope (where I had parked the car)

Note the snow on the ground.  I was surprised how little there was – there had been more in Bradford, and I snaked the way up my cul-de-sac.

And back at Keighley

The steam hauled services usually carry a licensed buffet car, with real ales. It’s a very pleasant way to spend an afternoon The next few pictures were taken on a trip from Keighley to Oxenhope.

Oh dear – there’s an ‘O’ missing on this picture. This station is Oakworth – and featured in the 1974 film “The Railway Children” under its own name. For many years, this station did not have an electricity supply, and was lit solely by gaslights. It also had a mechanical till. These facts don’t seem to be mentioned on their website, so maybe they now have electricity at the station. I did notice when departing Oxenhope station at the end of my day that they still used gas lights on the station and the car park there.

I finished my pint as we approached Oxenhope, and got off to watch the engine run round (and have a brief chat with my friend, who was busy most of the times that I bumped into him)

Since the day was drawing to a close, and I wanted to be on the last train of the day (since it was a different train than had been running in my visit so far, I like a bit of variety when possible ) I took the next train to Haworth to have a look around the gift shop there and take some different photographs.

The train I had arrived on departs Haworth en route to Keighley

Which left me on a very quiet, and very cold station

And here comes my train

It was getting quire dark now, but I could not use flash since it is very distracting for the train driver – and is prohibited on most railway stations for that reason.  The railway was much quieter by now, and the operations people had obviously anticipated this by scheduling the single car Diesel Railbus for the service.

Time now to put the camera away, and enjoy the last run of the day to Keighley and then back to Oxenhope.  And to wait in the passing loop at Damems for the last steam-hauled run from Keighley to make it’s way towards Oxenhope – it’s quite a site to see an engine in full steam hauling its train up the incline here.  Especially when that engine is Number 47279 – an 0-6-0 Class 3F tank engine, which is one of the smaller engines in the fleet.  It didn’t seem to be having any problems with its 4 car train though.

The use of the diesel allowed the crew of the steam engine to begin the process of putting the engine to bed a little earlier, which I am sure they were glad of on this cold, dark evening.

This was one of many trips that I have made on this line, and as ever I enjoyed it very much. Although it is probably also the quietest that I have ever seen the railway – which is not so surprising on the first weekend after the New Year celebrations.  The next day would probably have been busier – the railway is trialling a 2-train service through the Winter Weekends this year – but my friend wasn’t working then.