Locomotive Roster for Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th October 2020

Welcome to 'News@KWVR'

43924 will once again grace Worth Valley metals so we start this week with a photo courtesy of John Whiteley with the 4F as originally restored as LMS 3924, see here passing a derelict Ingrow Yard in August 1974, long before VCT moved in with their award winning museum.

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This weekend roster

Once again our Midland Railway 4F will be at the head of the services this weekend.
Tickets are still available to book online.

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

Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th October
Steam service - Midland Railway 4F 0-6-0 43924 (hauling BR compartment carriages)

Details of our 'Back in Steam' services

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.

Bridge 11 presentation video

I think we have all marvelled at the replacement of Bridge 11 and what the volunteers (with a bit of help) achieved and we have covered at some length the story as told by James Barlow. A few weeks ago James presented to his local Permanent Way Institution how the result was achieved and here we present a video of James' presentation.

Due to a technical issue (just to add pressure on James) the sound failed and he had to start again. Go to 1min 28 secs for the start of the presentation. Enjoy!

Dine in style next Saturday
24th October

Our two 1930 Pullman parlour cars, Ann and Mary, will be touring the Valley once again on 24th October giving you an opportunity to travel from a time when travelling and dining on a train meant travelling in style and opulence. Take a trip back in time and experience dining from a bygone era.

Afternoon Tea is sold out but this is what one of our visitors wrote about her Brunch experience:

"We had brunch on the train which involved two journeys along the full length of the line in one of the Pullman dining carriages. It was a wonderful experience from beginning to end. The volunteers were all super friendly and knowledgeable. I was so impressed by the thought that had gone into Covid precautions - the buffet and shop had moved into the engine she'd to allow more room for visitors, there was plenty of gel, floor markings, one way system and more. For a not for profit organisation this is even more impressive.

The brunch was marvellous. The attention to deal was everywhere - linens, china, a glass of bucks fizz (or two for those who wanted it), beautiful fresh fruit and quality muesli and oh my goodness so many pastries! The volunteers who served us were polite, friendly and attentive. You would think they were recruited for silver service rather than because they enjoy trains! They did an excellent job.

Worth every penny!"

So don't delay, book your place NOW!

Find out more & Book your tickets

Great News from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund

Last week we announced a grant of £231,000 thanks to the government’s #CultureRecoveryFund. This funding will help to cover our operational costs such as utilities and rent for the next 6 months and means that we can continue to be #HereForCulture.

David Pearson, Fundraising Co-ordinator, The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway Preservation Society, said:

“The Railway has been an important part of our landscape since 1867. It was saved from permanent closure in 1968 by a team of dedicated volunteers.

Like many other heritage organisations, 2020 has been a very difficult due to the Covid-19 crisis, and our volunteers have been working extremely hard to safeguard our future once again.

During the pandemic we had generous support from the public, and received smaller tranches of funding from other grants, however, we’re delighted to have been awarded £231,000 from the Culture Recovery Fund. This will help us to continue running heritage steam trains through the next six unpredictable months. We’re extremely grateful to the Government for this support”

To read the full press statement, please follow the link below

Full press release

We hope you like the new look News@KWVR which, as you can see, gives us a little more flexibility in what we can include.

Thank you for supporting the KWVR.

Tuesday, 13 October 2020

Stanier 8F 48431

Our Stanier 8F belongs to the K&WVR

48431 was built at Swindon in 1944 as 8431. It was one of the locomotives ordered by the Railway Executive Committee who were reformed (after being used during the First World War) in 1938 and later took on full control of the railways until nationalisation in 1948. It worked on the GWR at Gloucester until 1947 when it was transferred to the LMS at the Royston shed in Yorkshire.

Ian Riley's black five 44871 and the WD 90733 K&WVR

Two magnificent engines side by side

44871 Was also a popular engine in Scotland working trains along the West Highland Line from Fort William to Mallaig (this route she is still used on to this day working West Coast Railways "Jacobite trains" for most of the year, alongside sister 45407 The Lancashire Fusilier & 62005.