Virtual Locomotive Roster for Weekend 4th & 5th April 2020

If you are anything like me, I am missing my weekly routine of digging out the roster for the forthcoming weekend and letting all the subscribers to news@kwvr know what is running this weekend. So to keep us all in touch, we will be sending out a virtual roster based on what was running on the equivalent days in a year gone by. This week, 2015 – Easter weekend, 4th & 5th April. So what do we have on offer in this virtual roster for Saturday 4th and Sunday 6th April 2020 (ignoring the fact that Bridge 11 is missing at Ingrow and ignoring the fact that on Easter Saturday there was a two steam train service).

Returning from its new home on the East Lancashire Railway, the much missed West Country Pacific ‘City of Wells’ returns .

• Saturday 4th April
  Virtual Steam service – Southern Railways ‘West Country’ Pacific ‘34092 ‘City of Wells’
  Virtual Morning Diesel service – British Railways Metropolitan-Cammel Class 101 Diesel Multiple Unit No’s. M51189 & Sc51803
  Timetable – Virtually Green Timetable
• Sunday 5th April:
  Virtual Steam service – Southern Railways ‘West Country’ Pacific ‘34092 ‘City of Wells’
  Virtual Diesel service – British Railways Metropolitan-Cammel Class 101 Diesel Multiple Unit No’s. M51189 & Sc51803
  Timetable – Virtually Blue Timetable.

 

Locomotive Roster for Saturday 23rd June and 50th Anniversary 8-Day Gala

Only 3 days to go before we start our 8 days celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway re-opening on the 29th June 1968.

The following locomotives will be in operation over the 9 days from Saturday 23rd June to Sunday 1st July

Steam Locomotives

Visitors

London Midland Scottish Railway ‘Royal Scot’ Class 4-6-0 46100 ‘Royal Scot’
London Midland Scottish Railway Class 5MT ‘Black 5’ 4-6-0 45212
Southern Region ‘West Country’ Pacific 34092 ‘City of Wells’
Great Western Railway 0-6-0PT 7714

Home Fleet

British Railway Ivatt 2-6-2T 41241
Midland 4F 0-6-0 43924
British Railway Standard 4MT 4-6-0 75078
United States of America Transport Corp S160 2-8-0 5820
London & North Western Railway ‘Coal Tank’ 0-6-2T 1054

Diesel Locomotives

Visitors

British Railway ‘Deltic’ Class 55, 55 019 ‘Royal Highland Fusiliers
British Railways Class 50, 50 035 ‘Ark Royal’
GB Railfreight Class 66
GB Railfreight Class 73
Direct Rail Services Class 37

Home Fleet

Mersey Docks & Harbour Board 0-6-0 Diesel Shunter D32
British Railways Class 20, 20 031
British Railways Class 25, 25 059
English Electric 0-6-0 D0226 ‘Vulcan’

An 8 day Gala involving this multitude of steam and diesel locomotives has been planned with the following proposed daily roster:

Saturday 23rd June: 45212 (+ 43924 on the Saturday works train)
Sunday 24th June: 41241 (relaunch into traffic), 75078, 5820, 1054, 45212 and 34092
Monday 25th June: 46100 & 41241 (top and tailed), 34092 and 45212
Tuesday 26th June: 46100 & 41241 (top and tailed), 34092 and 75078
Wednesday 27th June: 46100 & 41241 (top and tailed), 34092 and 43924
Thursday 28th June: 43924, 41241, 1054, 7714, D32 and D0226
Friday 29th June: 41241 (re-opening Anniversary train), 5820, 45212, 34092, 7714, GBRf 66 xxx and GBRf 73 xxx
Saturday 30th June: 41241, 43924, 1054, 45212, 34092, 7714, 55 019, 50 035, 20 031 and DRS 37 xxx
Sunday 1st July: 55 019, 50 035, D32, 20 031, 25 059, D0226, GBRf 66 xxx, GBRf 73 xxx and DRS 37 xxx

To download the working timetables for all 8 days of the Gala, click HERE.

To view the daily passenger timetables visit the KWVR website or to download the passenger timetables for all 8 days of the Gala, click HERE.

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

50th Anniversary Gala Update

We are delighted to announce a further visiting steam locomotives, one returning home and an additional mainline diesel for the 8 day Gala.

Southern Railway ‘West Country’ Pacific 34092 ‘City of Wells’

We’re delighted to share with you the news that 34092 ‘City of Wells’ will return this Summer – for our 50th Anniversary in June. Thanks go to the current owners, life long and KWVR founding Members, who have made the Loco available for the last time under their ownership.

Although based on the KWVR since being rescued from Barry scrapyard in the 1970s ‘City of Wells’ was never a suitable locomotive for a short, steep 5 mile branch line. Having been marooned at Bury due to bridge problems in Keighley, the ELR were able to make greater use of the locomotive whilst in their care, than would be the case on the KWVR. The private owners of the locomotive made the decision to pass this superbly restored ex-Southern Pacific onto new owners and, as the ELR is more suited to it, are in the process of selling ‘City of Wells’ to the East Lancashire Railway at Bury.

It is with great pleasure therefore that we welcome 34092 to its spiritual home for one last time in the original owners care.

LMS Class 5MT ‘Black 5’ 4-6-0 45212

Returning for the first time since it returned to traffic in 2017, the KWVR’s very own ‘Black 5’, 45212, is making a brief appearance in between mainline duties. As part of the agreement with Ian Riley Engineering to restore 45212 to mainline condition, the KWVR had use of the locomotive, or another member of the class, at various time during the year. Ian Riley’s sister locomotive 44871, spent few months over the Christmas period in lieu of 45212.

45212 was one of the first locomotives to arrive on the line after re-opening, being purchased straight out of service when steam traction ceased on British Railways, having had the distinction of heading the final steam hauled revenue earning service on August 4th 1968.

Class 50 English Electric Type 4 50 035 ‘Ark Royal’

Class 50, 50 035 Ark Royal, has been confirmed as attending our 50th Anniversary courtesy of our friends at ‘The Class 50 Alliance Ltd”.

The class were initially introduced for services north of Crewe, prior to electrification of the Crewe – Glasgow section of the West Coast main line. As 45212 was being withdrawn, D435 (as initially numbered) was being released into traffic from the Vulcan Foundry in Newton-le-Willows. In the re-numbering system of the 1970s D435 became 50 035 in 1974 and was named ‘Ark Royal’ in 1978,

Withdrawn in 1990, 50 035 was purchased by the 50 Fund. Based on the Severn Valley Railway, it is now owned by the ‘Class 50 Alliance’, an amalgamation between the 50 Fund and Project Defiance. The group now owns 4 members of the class.

50 035 was the first Class 50 to be preserved and the Class is also celebrating their 50th Anniversary this year. This is the locomotives first visit to the Railway and will feature on Saurday 30th June and Sunday 1st July as part of our 50th Anniversary Mixed traffic and Diesel Days.

 

Statement on Autumn Steam Spectacular

It is with heavy hearts and regret that we have been informed today by our partners West Coast Railway Company that locomotive 4936 ‘Kinlet Hall’ has been declared out of gauge by Network Rail in the Keighley area and therefore will not be able to visit the Railway this weekend.

As you can appreciate we have a lot of plans already put together for the event which our volunteer organisers are now working hard to re-work timetables to bring to visitor’s to the event an interesting and stimulating Autumn Steam Spectacular.

No other visiting locomotives are available at such short notice for the event so our own locomotives will substitute for 4936. In addition, readers will know that due to bridge weakness in the Keighley area, the movement of West Country Pacific 34092 ‘Wells’ back to the Railway, has not been possible. It had been anticipated that the locomotive may return to the Railway via our main line connection but, in what can only be described as a double blow, we have now received confirmation that this will not be possible prior to the event.

Updated timetable, fares and information will follow shortly to reflect these changes. No further questions will be answered until the schedule for the event has been concluded.

2015 Autumn Steam Spectacular – Update

With only one week to go to the 2015 Autumn Steam Spectacular, the latest update is now on the KWVR website including loco news, photo charter information, working timetables and the rules and regulations regarding lineside photography.

Of particular interest to photographers will be the photo charters and full details are now available. As places are limited early booking is advised.

 

2015 Autumn Steam Spectacular – Update

Due to unforeseen circumstances, it is with sadness that we are unable to welcome the planned visits of U Class 31806 and Rebuilt Battle Of Britain 34053 ‘Sir Keith Park’ to our Autumn Steam Gala. This is because of restrictions currently in place on road access to the Railway following difficulties with a previous move. We are working hard to source a visiting locomotive that can arrive by rail. The Railway will release further updates as soon as locomotive details and moves are confirmed.

We are grateful to all the efforts of the local authority to solve this problem with us, but it is unlikely to be in time for the October gala.

Locomotives from the Home fleet

• Taff Vale Railway O2 0-6-2T 85 returns to traffic

• BR Standard 4MT 4-6-0 75078 in fully lined out British Railways livery

• West Country Pacific 34092 ‘Wells’
• Midland 4F 0-6-0 43924
• WD 2-8-0 90733
• USATC S160 2-8-0 “Big Jim” No.5820
• LNWR ‘0-6-2’ Coal Tank 1054 – (Courtesy of Bahamas Loco society)
• Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0T 1704 Nunlow – (Courtesy of Bahamas Loco society)

Rolling Stock

Full BR corridor gangway set.
Full BR Maroon Suburban set (ex-Kings Cross) – unique to the KWVR
A Pullman style ‘Boat Train’ featuring our 1930s Pullman Cars ‘Ann’ & Mary’, plus coaches from the Vintage Carriages Trust
Demonstration Freight Trains

Trade Displays:

Groups from around the region will be displaying their varied layouts of different shapes and sizes.

Train Services:

The Railway will run intensively from 0830 most days into the early evening. Stations are gaslit during the evenings and give a night-time glow as your train rolls in.

Freight Trains:

A branch goods train will be in operation during the weekend and will be highlighted on the timetable for each day.

Express Trains:

Steam gala weekends offer a rare chance to fly through our intermediate stations at full speed of 25mph on our non-stop services.

Catering:

To start your day, Oxenhope buffet is opening especially early and will be serving bacon and sausage butties to get you off to a fine start to the day. So fill up your tenders and replenish your tanks with a good hearty roll and a hot drink to make sure your long day gets off to a good start.

That should keep you going until lunchtime when you can top up your reserves with some good honest Yorkshire pie and peas, washed down by hot drink or something from the on-board bar where hand pulled real ale will served all day.

Arriving at Keighley or no time to wait at Oxenhope, you can fill up with the usual light snacks from the kiosk but also on Saturday and Sunday we’ll be serving the hot butties and pie and peas there as well.

Enthusiast Photo Events

Detail to be announced

‘Wells’ ELR steaming dates amendment

The dates this week for 34092 action on the ELR were incorrectly stated on our previous announcement. The locomotive will be working service trains on Wednesday 22nd, Thursday 23rd, Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th July and not as previously stated. The Friday turn will be in the hands of ex-Ingrow resident LMS ‘Crab’ 2-6-0 13065.

‘Wells’ on her travels again

Following a successful visit to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway at the end of May, West Country Pacific 34092 ‘Wells’ has been prevented from returning home at present by road access problems at Ingrow. Having been at Toddington for just over a month, ‘Wells’ travelled by road last week from the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway to the East Lancs Railway at Bury, where it is likely to remain until late August.

It will be running on the ELR on at least 10 days during that period. The first running days are Wednesday 22nd, Thursday 23rd, Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th July, but Members are advised to consult the ELR website for further details. The photograph is of 34092 on its first steaming at Bury on Monday afternoon with resident LMS ‘Crab’ 2-6-0 13065, whose restoration of course started at Ingrow on the KWVR many moons ago.

Spring 2015 in Photos

Spring was a busy time on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway starting with Easter at the beginning of April. We introduced a new, once a month diesel locomotive service and over the Bank Holiday weekend, The Railway Children’s Weekend followed by the Haworth 1940s Weekend. Event organisers continued their hard work with a very successful 3 day visit to the Railway by the famous bear from Peru, Paddington, and our photographic look is back rounded off with West Country Pacific, 34092 ‘Wells’ drawing the crowds at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway’s Steam to West event. And we finish this Spring retrspective with two June videos, including the first Vintage Trains of the Summer.

‘The Railway Children’ Weekend, 2nd – 4th May

Join us as we celebrate 45 years since the filming of ‘The Railway Children’ right here at the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.

The Railway will be running a special timetable using some of the coaches from the film on a vintage train. Well known scenes from the film will be re-enacted around the Oakworth area where tea and buns will be served. In addition there will be guided tours of Oakworth Station and also of locations used in the film well known to generations of children and adults alike.

Weekend schedule

• Every day – Re-enactments of scenes from the film
• Every day – ‘Old Gentleman’s’ coach open to the public at Oxenhope
• Sunday & Monday – Guest appearance of Chris Witty who played the hapless schoolboy Jim in the film
• Saturday & Monday – Guided Railway Children walks from Oxenhope and Oakworth
• Saturday & Sunday – Haworth Locomotive Works tour
• Monday – Railway Children Bus Tour
• Official launch of the 3rd edition of the book, ‘The Making of the Railway Children’
• Every day – programme of events including historic coaches used in the film and rides behind ‘Sir Berkeley’ in a rare vintage coach.

And add to this 2 train operation every day with 43924 and 34092 ‘Wells’

For more details and timetable of events ⇒

Locomotive Roster for ‘The Railway Children’ Weekend

With the May Bank Holiday stretching the weekend to 3 days and ‘The Railway Children’ weekend running across all 3 days we have two train operation on for all to enjoy.

On the roster for the whole weekend are MR 4F 0-6-0 43924 and West Country Pacific 34092 ‘Wells’.

Class 101 DMU will be on all the diesel services.

And don’t forget, mid-week, the Diesel Railcar Service that operates on Wednesday.

For the timetables in operation this weekend, please click HERE to visit the main website.

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.

Featured image: Peter Guy

Worth Valley on Tour, March 2015

During March, three of our celebrated locomotives left the Valley for a tour of duty on ‘foreign’ metals – 34092 ‘Wells’ crossed over the border into Wales to take part in the Llangollen Railway‘s Steam, Steel and Stars IV Gala, raising funds for the GWR ‘Grange’ Class new build 6880 Betton Grange (6880 website), and 90733 and 1054 headed to the Midlands to the Severn Valley Railway Spring Gala.

Our band of roving cameramen were out at both events and we are delighted to showcase Ken Baker’s video of both events together with a collection of photographs from the cameras of Sam Shenton, Inspiring Images, Ralph Ingham, John Sagar, David Smith, Ian Dixon and Robert Batty

Locomotive Roster for Easter Weekend and all next week to 10th April 2015

It will be a West Country Pacific Easter Weekend with a supporting cast of BR Standard and WD power.

Easter Weekend 3rd – 6th April – West Country Pacific 34092 ‘Wells’ supported by:
♦  Good Friday & Easter Saturday – BR Standard 4MT 4-6-0 75078
♦  Easter Sunday and Monday – WD 2-8-0 90733 (with ‘Wells’ scheduled for the Pullman Luncheon Dining Train)

Tuesday 7th – Friday 10th April will see 34092 retire to Haworth shed leaving WD 2-8-0 90733 to operate the service for the rest of the week

Class 101 DMU will be on all the diesel services.

And don’t forget, for the weekday service, the ORANGE timetable operates with the vintage bus tour taking tours of the Valley.

For the timetables in operation this weekend, please click HERE to visit the main website.

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.

Locomotive Roster for Weekend 28th & 29th March and week 30th March – 3rd April 2015

Over this weekend and the following week, when daily running is in operation, 3 steam locomotives will be in operation.

Weekend 28th & 29th – USATC S160 2-8-0 5820
Weekday Service – BR Standard 4MT 4-6-0 75078
Good Friday – 75078 will be joined by West Country Pacific 34092 ‘Wells’

The diesel railbus, M79964, is in action on the Wednesday service, 25th March, but will then give way to the Class 101 DMU which will be on the early morning services at the weekend and Good Friday and the spare paths on Sunday 29th March.

And don’t forget, for the weekday service, the ORANGE timetable operates with the vintage bus tour making a welcome return to the Valley.

For the timetables in operation this weekend, please click HERE to visit the main website.

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.

2015 Winter Steam Gala – Gallery

As always the KWVR Galas are very popular with photographers and the 2015 Winter Steam Gala was no different. If submissions are a yardstick to measure popularity, then Friday was by far the most productive day. With the Pennine weather closing in on Sunday, the conditions were best described as ‘atmospheric’ as Gary Holmes’ image of 43924 and 34092 leaving Keighley testifies.

Here is a small selection of photographs taken across the 3 days and the full collection can be viewed by clicking HERE to see all the weekend’s images.

Our gallery photographs are courtesy of photographers Neil Harvey, Inspirational Images, Colin Smith, Chris King, Craig Elias, Richard Beckett, Ian Dixon, Gary Holmes, Matt Berry, Steve Boreham, Neil Colls, and Ralph Berry.

In addition we are delighted to preview, SAY Film Production’s DVD, the full version of which is available from Haworth shop  priced £12.95

COMING SOON

West Country Pacific 34092 ‘Wells’ has been on tour in Wales for the Llangollen Railway’s Steel, Steam & Stars IV, two weekend gala which raises funds for the 6880 Bretton Grange Society, builders of ‘new-build’  GWR ‘Grange Class 4-6-0 6880 Bretton Grange.

KWVR regular contributors have been at Llangollen in force with both cameras and video recorders and we will be bring you the best of their work as soon as their digital developing labs will allow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

73A Reunion with 34092

John Sagar reports:

The Railway played host to some forty former Southern Region footplate crews and their partners on Monday 23 February, when they were able to renew acquaintance with an old friend, an unmodified Bulleid Pacific in the shape of 34092 ‘City of Wells’, and rediscover old skills as their 4-coach train made four round trips over the branch. The recent heavy rain relented to give a clear, crisp day and test 34092’s ability to keep the train warm.

Many reminiscences were shared and a wonderful day was had by all.   Among the visitors was Dick Hardy, now aged 91, who was 34092’s shedmaster at Stewart’s Lane, Battersea when she was a regular performer on the ‘Golden Arrow’.  A superb buffet lunch was provided at Oxenhope by Christine Laycock and catering staff.

The crews of Stewart’s Lane and their partners gather for the ‘team’ photograph. Photographer: John Sagar

Dick Hardy delighted to be back alongside his old charge at Oxenhope. Photographer: John Sagar

In her heyday, 34092 ‘City of Wells’ at Stewart’s Lane, shed ready for duty, 22nd May 1958. Photographer: R. C. Riley

The legendary Richard ‘Dick’ Hardy, 34092’s shedmaster at Stewart’s Lane, Battersea when she was a regular performer on the ‘Golden Arrow’. Photographer: Peter Whitaker

The mess room at Stewart’s Lane would not have been like this back in the halcyon days. Photographer: Christine Laycock

Presentation of to ‘Jock’ Adams, chief engineer of 34092. Photographer: Christine Laycock

‘Wells makes light weight on the approach to Oakworth. Photographer: Robin Lush

Shades of the ‘withered arm’ as 34092 crosses Mytholmes Viaduct. Photographer: James Shuttleworth

The locomotive gives those on the seats a demonstration of her old pulling power. Photographer: Robin Lush

The day was a great success for all those concerned, participants, organisers and staff as this testimonial from one of the enginemen testifies, “Many thanks for an excellent day yesterday. I could not have enjoyed it more – excellent railway, excellent loco, excellent weather and excellent company – what more could you ask for!” Indeed, what more can any railwayman ask for.

Featured image: John Sagar

 

25th November – 65th Anniversar​y of 34092 naming ‘Wells’

This last week witnessed a significant milestone in the life of West Country Pacific 34092 ‘City of Wells’

Through the goodwill of Andrew Tucker and the Wells Railway Fraternity we are delighted to celebrate the 65th Anniversary of the 25th November 1949 of the original naming of 34092 as ‘Wells’, the name that it currently carries until an official renaming to ‘City of Wells’ takes place in 2015.

KWVR after dark.

Over weekends of the Autumn Steam Spectacular and the Beer & Music Festival, the Railway could be seen in a different light as the daytime light gave way to the evening darkness.

On Friday evening Keighley station was the scene of a photo-shoot featuring West Country Pacific 34092 ‘Wells’ and on Saturday an early evening freight train departed in failing light. Click HERE for the full photo collection.

The following weekend, steam trains ran through the dark until midnight ferrying attendees to and from the Festival, caught on video to give a very different perspective to the railway than normally seen in daylight hours.

Featured image: Inspiring Images

2014 Autumn Steam Spectacular – Photos & Video

The Railway was blessed by good weather throughout the Autumn Steam Spectacular over the weekend of the 10th – 13th October. The result was a bonanza of excellent photographs and videos.

Here is a selection of the photographs submitted by regular contributors  Neil Harvey, Inspiring Images, Sam Shenton, Robin Lush, Ian Dixon and Colin Smith. Below is a taster of the weekend, click HERE to see the full photo album on Flickr.

Once again the event produced some excellent videos. Our regular contributor Kenneth Baker produced this short taster. Click HERE to see the full version of  Part 1, HERE for an atmospheric Part 2 and Part 3 HERE.

Featured image: Sam Shenton

 

Locomotive Roster Beer & Music Festival Weekend

The Railway has a big engine line-up for 3 days of this weekend’s 4 day festival.

Thursday – The Festival starts with a DMU service starting at 16.00 from Oxenhope. This will be in the hands of the Class 101

Friday & Saturday – The first two round trips will be loco hauled in the hands of Class 25 25 059. The rostered locomotives for the daytime steam service will be West Country Pacific 34092 ‘Wells’ and USATC S160 2-8-0 5820. The evening service will be in the hands of WD 2-8-0 90733

Sunday – Class 101 DMU will be taking the diesel turn handing over to 34092 and 5820 for the steam hauled services.

This weekend sees special timetables in operation, click HERE to download

Featured image: Robin Lush

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.