Thousands attend Keighley and Worth Valley Railway steam gala
More than 4,000 people attended the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway's annual steam gala recently.
The event, which took place from March 20 to March 23, featured a dozen steam locomotives in action and attracted steam enthusiasts and visitors from across the region to the five-mile branch line.
More than 120 volunteers supported the event on each day of its operation.
A dozen steam locomotives were in action across the four days of the gala (Image: Tom Marshall)
Noel Hartley, the railway's operating and business manager, said: "I am very proud of what has been achieved, particularly how we can create a journey back in time where, as a customer, you are completely immersed in a world that just doesn't exist anymore in everyday life.
"To continue to bring this world to life is really important to give some balance to what's on offer in the leisure and tourism industry, but also to provide opportunities for people to be involved in or experience how railways changed the world 200 years ago."
Oakworth Station, known for its role in 'The Railway Children,' was a hub of activity during the gala (Image: Tom Marshall)
The gala featured a lineup of historic locomotives, including the Class 8F freight locomotive No 48305 and the Class 3F 'Jinty' shunter No 16440, both restored by the Great Central Railway in Loughborough.
Industrial locomotives such as Sentinel No 7832 'Ann' and Avonside locomotive 'Dora' also participated, with 'Dora' making a notable return to K&WVR after her brief stay in the 1960s.
Oakworth Station, known for its role in 'The Railway Children,' was a hub of activity, offering wood-fired pizza and showcasing the operation of the historic level crossing gates.
Passengers enjoyed on-train bars serving hand-pulled real ale.
At Haworth yard, visitors were able to watch locomotive preparations and shunting operations, while freight demonstrations added to the event's appeal, offering photo opportunities for enthusiasts.
At Haworth yard, visitors were able to watch locomotive preparations and shunting operations (Image: Tom Marshall)
Forthcoming special events include the 'Easter Express' trains and the Diesel Gala in June.
For full details on upcoming events and bookings, please visit kwvr.co.uk or call 01535 645214.
The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway is a preserved standard gauge line which joins the national railway network at Keighley and runs five miles up the valleys of the River Worth and Bridgehouse Beck to Oxenhope.
The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway Preservation Society was formed upon the closure of the line by British Railways in 1962, and it reopened the branch line from Keighley to Oxenhope in June 1968 - just weeks before steam finally ended on British Railways in August of the same year.
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