Haworth shed and that beautiful new roof

Light bright and airy. 

Even more of a pleasure to work there now. 

Come along and join the volunteers.

Good luck to the West Somerset Railway

After a difficult winter closure the West Somerset Railway 

opens again

It would be a tragedy for for this railway to be in danger

of closure. It board have come together with the society 

company and both are now working hard together to

keep this magnificent railway in business.

Busy days at Minehead

All the very best for a good summer season

I shall be with you at the end of June.

BR Standards

9F Black Prince at Sherringham

Class 4 75078 at Haworth

Class 4 76084 at Weybourne

Bridgnorth on the SVR the woek never stops

here at Bridgnorth the Seven Valley Railway basses 

its main engine repair sheds. 

The work never stops.

K&WVR is a volunteer railway

here the work in Haworth sheds goes on. My colleague 

Arthur Reed here with BR STD Class 2 78022 is 

given it brilliant paint job by Tim Hanson

Volunteers are always welcomed especially any with 

engineering skills. Do come along and take a look, 

then fill out a volunteer form and join the work 

which is a very rewarding hobby.

K&WVR Civil engineering team

As with any railway the permanent way

is of crucial importance 

Under the guidance of Arthur Walker and

soon James Barlow, the civil's team work

hard to ensure the permanent way and the

railways bridges, crossings etc are kept in

the best of condition

Here the engineers train leaves Haworth for another days

work

The railway is always looking for volunteers to add to 

the teams who keep the railway going

If our railway interests you then please come along 

and if you wish to join the five or so hundred volunteers

who keep the railway running. You can get a volunteer 

form at any of the stations and begin the way to a very

rewarding hobby

Stanier 8F 48431

Preliminary work has now begun on this engine with

the tender which was in very poor condition getting 

a good second hand tender tank and bunker

So the engine will be next as space becomes available 

in Haworth sheds. 

Ivat class 2 and BR class 4

41241 and 75078 simmer in the sunshine at Haworth

Haworth has a good stable of engines and that is thanks

to the volunteers who keep them running along with our

two permanent staff Mark Lane and Tim Hanson

War Department engine 'Dub Dee' 90733

Now completely stripped down for ten year overhaul

Andy Simpkins and his team are well into the dismantling

The only survivor of the 2-8-0 version. 

BR Standard class 4 75078

Another engine which has had a good deal of attention

this closed season is 75078

Super heater elements changed so thanks to Tim, Ralph 

and once again the team of volunteers.

USA Transportation Corps 5820, a study

5820 will be running next weekend 

A good deal of work done on this engine during the 

winter off season

Boiler re-tubing takes time and money

All completed now thanks to Mark, Ralph and of

course the whole team.

A good weekend to come next weekend

K&WVR Mixed Traffic Gala – Line-up & Timetables

Mixed Traffic Gala – Line-up & Timetables by news@kwvr

After much burning of the midnight oil by the event organisers, during which time they have had to deal with an ever changing line up, we are delighted to confirm the final(?) line up of visiting and home fleet locomotives and  publish both the Working Timetable and the public Timetable.

Gala Line Up

National Railway Museum & 125 Group

Thanks to the National Railway Museum and custodians 125 Group, the unique Prototype High Speed Train locomotive, 41 001, will headline our event, hauling a prototypical MK3 train of 5 coaches. A Pullman-style dining service on the HST will be available throughout the 4 days.

GB Railfreight

From GBRf we will be operating one of their Class 47 locomotives, recently re liveried and returned to use with the Company.

Direct Rail Services

Direct Rail Services (DRS) will again support our Event and are sending a member of their Class 88 electro-diesel locomotives, one of the most modern locomotives on the national network.

Class 50 Alliance Ltd.

Following on from last year's 50th Anniversary celebrations when the Class 50 Alliance Ltd supplied one of their locomotives, this year they are sending us 2 of their fleet of Class 50 locomotives, no.'s 50 031 'Hood' and newly GBRf liveried 50 007 'Hercules'.

Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway

Finally we will be joined by Class 31, 31 163, which will be carrying the British Railways Research livery as 97 205, from a very similar era to that of 41 001.

Home Fleet

Diesels:

• British Rail Class 25 – 25 059
• British Rail Class 20 – 20 031
• British Rail Class 37 – 37 075
• Hunslet Diesel Shunter – 32 ‘Huskisson’

Steam

• Sunday 5th May USATC S160 2-8-0 - 5820 & BR Standard Class 4 - 75078
• Monday 6th May BR Standard Class 2 - 78022  & BR Standard Class 4 - 75078

Timetables

For the full 4 day Working Timetable click HERE, and for the Public Timetable, clickHERE. or visit the Times and Fare page of the website.

KWVR Welcomes WW2 Veterans on a journey back in time

KWVR Welcomes WW2 Veterans on a journey back in time by news@kwvr

On Wednesday 25th April, the KWVR welcomed 2 of the few remaining veterans of the British Forces who fought in the Second World War’s Normandy landings, to reconnect with their memories of 1940s railways

The duo of ninety-year-olds, Ken Smith and Ken Cooke from York, had a special day-out to Haworth to catch up with our own Second War veteran, American-built locomotive S160 2-8-0 5820 ‘Big Jim’.

Although the official Normandy Veterans Association has dis-banded, there being so few of the men who fought their way through the historic invasion on Hitler’s Europe still surviving, the York group decided to continue their get-togethers and the two sprightly veterans are still going strong despite a few ups and downs along the way.  Sadly, a third veteran in the group, Douglas Petty was unable to attend due to ill health.

The photographs below depict the '2 Kens' waiting for their train at Oxenhope and just a "few" years ago when aged 18 and in the army plus Douglas in his flying days.

Left to right Ken Cook (18), Ken Smith (18) and Douglas Petty

The two former soldiers and one airman still like to stay in touch with each other and enjoy great days out. Ken Smith, 94, fought as a private solider with the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. He laughed: “I’m Yorkshire-born yet the Army chose to put me with a regiment furthest away from my home county! Railways were part of our lives in the army. They were how you moved around.”

Ken continues, “I can recall one journey where we travelled in cattle trucks and had to crawl through small gaps in the vehicle sides carrying your rifle and scrambling over sleeping bodies to find a place to sit. “I put my rifle up against the truck wall but I didn’t realise it was a sliding door: when it opened my rifle fell out onto the track side. I had to get another one!”

Before his visit he said: “I’m really looking forward to visiting the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway and seeing the locomotive. It’ll bring back many memories.”

Ken’s has a great interest in railways. He’s an honorary life member of the York-based Derwent Valley Light Railway Association and has been on the footplate of Sir Nigel Gresley’s legendary
express steam locomotive the ‘Flying Scotsman’.

Ken Cooke, 93 (lied about his age to join up at 16 years of age), was a private soldier in the Yorkshire-based infantry regiment, the Green Howards, has the distinction of having a railway locomotive named after him on the Derwent Valley Light Railway, near York.

Ken explained: “I used to work as an engineer at Rowntree’s confectionary in York and one day I was given a lift back from the far side of the factory site on a diesel locomotive. Fortunately the locomotive was saved from being scrapped and taken to the Derwent Valley Light Railway. In 2018 they took me by surprise when they took me to the railway to see it again and asked me to help with its naming ceremony. I was totally shocked when the curtain went back and saw it was named after me. Everybody had known what was happening, except me!”

Before his visit he added: “There’s not many of the Normandy Veterans left but we really look forward to seeing each other. It’ll be a great day out to the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. I’m
really looking forward to seeing the locomotive and my mates again.”

Former bomber crew airman, Flying Officer Douglas Petty, now 96, was unable to attend due to ill health, but we caught up with him beforehand. He completes the trio of veterans invited to the KWVR. Douglas’ Second World War was based in Yorkshire. He explained: “I flew in Lancaster and Halifax bombers out of RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire. I completed 31 missions over enemy territory and was fortunate to survive, when you consider 47 per cent of RAF bomber crews ended up as casualties.”

Douglas also looks forward to reunions with his Veteran friends. He added: “I flew some missions over Normandy and was surprised when they awarded us the Croix de Guerre, the French nation’s
decoration. During the War I tended to see railways from 15,000 feet above the ground but I’m looking forward to our visit, to getting a closer a look at both Big Jim and the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.”

Nick Bielby is the secretary of York’s Normandy Veterans Association. He said: “They’re a grand bunch of chaps and when the national organisation decided to cease operations, we decided to keep the veterans together for as long as they’re fit enough. They love their days out together. Mind you, because I’m a railwayman, the trips out tend to have a railway theme! Fortunately the veterans don’t seem to mind and still enjoy themselves.”

Despite the absence of their comrade, the 2 Kens had a wonderful day at the KWVR, they enjoyed a round trip behind locomotive no. 5820 and told Railway staff and volunteers stories from their time serving in the war.

It was a great honour for the Railway to host such a wonderful visit for Ken and Ken and we were delighted to have them join us for the day. Our staff and volunteers could have sat and listened to
their stories for hours. Hearing what they went through, truly brings to life the things that veterans of the past and today experience to keep us safe. Without these individuals, we would likely not be here as we are today.

In 2020 the veterans will be making their final honorary visit to Normandy, a very special occasion for all involved.

K&WVR Locomotive Roster for the weekend 27th & 28th April & Wednesday 1st May 2019

Locomotive Roster for the weekend 27th & 28th April & Wednesday 1st May 2019 by news@kwvr

The motive power for this weekend's passenger services will be as follows:

• Saturday 27th April:
  Steam service - USATC S160 2-8-0 5820
  Diesel & Ale service - British Railways Type 2, Class 25 Diesel Electric 25 059
• Sunday 28th April:
  Steam service -USATC S160 2-8-0 5820
  Steam service - British Railways Class 2MT 2-6-0 78022
• Wednesday 1st May:
  Diesel service - Class 101 diesel multiple unit

Timetables:

• Saturday 6th April - Big Diesel Blue timetable
• Sunday 7th April - Blue timetable
• Wednesday 10th April - Yellow Timetable

Whilst every effort will made to ensure that the advised motive power is available, the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway reserve the right to change this when operational circumstances so dictate.

Rewheeling the 'Green Dragon' aka L&Y 957

K&WVR Locomotive Roster for the weekend Easter Weekend 20th – 22nd April & Tuesday 23rd – Friday 26th April 2019

Locomotive Roster for the weekend Easter Weekend 20th – 22nd April & Tuesday 23rd – Friday 26th April 2019 by news@kwvr

The motive power for the Easter weekend and all next week's passenger services will be as follows:

• Saturday 20th - Monday 22nd April:
  Steam service - British Railways Class 4MT 4-6-0 75078 & British Railways Class 2MT 2-6-0 78022
• Tuesday 23rd - Friday 26th April:
  Steam service - USATC S160 2-8-0 5820

Timetables:

• Saturday 20th April - Blue Summer Saturdays timetable
• Sunday 21st & Monday 22nd April - Blue Bank Holiday Timetable
• Tuesday 23rd - Friday 26th April - Pink Timetable

Whilst every effort will be made to ensure that the advised motive power is available, the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway reserve the right to change this when operational circumstances so dictate.

K&WVR Civil Matters – A Look Forward to 2019, Part 2

Civil Matters – A Look Forward to 2019, Part 2

In Part 1, James Barlow outlined what Civil Department has its sights on undertaking in the first half of 2019. Here James sets out the mammoth tasks that await the team in the 2nd half of 2019 during Civil Week in September.

After the hard graft of the first half of the year, read what’s in store for our intrepid Civil Engineers in Part 2 and, as you will see there is a lot of work to do across 2 sites, so whether you have a specific skill or just a willingness to lend a hand, if you can spare time to help James and his merry men, follow his appeal and come forward.

Civil Week this year is a big one, a three-week concrete extravaganza of infrastructure renewals! Bridge 11’s time has come for renewal, Bridge 11 is the bridge immediately south of Ingrow Tunnel over the River Worth adjacent to the new housing developments. Fortunately, the abutments and piers are in good condition so only the deck requires renewal. During the first week, the old deck will be removed allowing any minor remedial works to the abutments and the piers. Once this is complete the new precast reinforced concrete bridge beams will be lifted into place.

Come the second week, work will be focussed on concreting the remainder of the bridge deck and allowing that to cure sufficiently. The 3rd week will be focussed on waterproofing and then putting the track back ready for services. At Ebor Lane, the recent slope works there have gone well, but some unexpected ground conditions were found. The poor ground driving the slip was deeper and thicker than first thought and is driving the slip slightly differently. This is putting greater stress on the under-track braces which support the retaining wall. To increase the support and provide a more permanent solution the track and cross braces are to be removed and replaced with a reinforce concrete slab beneath the track. Ballasted track will then be placed on top of this concrete base, so this is not a slab track proposal! With the length of time this job will take due to concrete cure times, and the need to undertake it in stages to maintain some support, the three week block gives us a perfect opportunity.

Our colleagues in operations have been very kind in granting us a three-week closure. Don’t worry trains will still be running during the weekends in the middle, just not over the whole line, with two large holes. There will be much more detailed reports and pictures to accompany these two possessions, hopefully promptly. I hope that has provided a bit of a summary of what we have planned this year. Fingers crossed no spanners appear in the works between now and the end of the year.

Bridge 11 forms part of along list of bridge works which have been undertaken recently on the railway, led by the railway’s Chief Civil Engineer. His experience of bridges is certainly more than mine will ever be, the Railway has been very lucky to have his services. After Civil Week in September 2019 he will be retiring after several decades (I wouldn’t be so rude as to put exact dates here [Ed – I came and worked with him when I was at Uni, and I’m knocking on a bit]), and he will be handing over the reins to myself for all the future works, my experience certainly sits in the mud and water category. Like I said, a big year.

And now, as ever, I finish with a plea for volunteers, we are always happy to welcome anyone into the department. If anything from above has sparked your interest please come and talk to us, if you see us in our orange come over, we do not bite! If you are interested in volunteering please contact the railways volunteer liaison officer, contact details are just a click away on the website Volunteering page.

Till’ the next time

James Barlow – Civil and S&T Maintenance Department Engineer