Keighley and The Worth Valley Steam Railway, Keighley West Yorkshire

The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway

Thanks to the persistence of a railway preservation society and the popularity of Charlotte Bronte, Emily Bronte and the film 'The Railway Children' starring Jenny Agutter, the 5 mile stretch of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway has been lovingly preserved and restored.

The Brontes unfortunately did not enjoy the benefits of this branch line in their own time (it was not ready until 1867 and had been hampered by the floods of 1866), so they must have endured many trudges to Keighley to catch trains to transport manuscripts to publishers! In fact we know from Charlotte Bronte's letters in Elizabeth Gaskell's 'The Life of Charlotte Bronte' (see p.422) that Charlotte was often met by friends at Keighley Station to then make the long trudge back to Haworth - this must have been horrendous in the middle of winter!

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Keighley & Worth Valley Train Times

In Summer the railway runs daily, and out of season it runs weekends only and most people operating the service are volunteers - it's their efforts which have ensured the survival of this Yorkshire Railway! Adults and children alike will marvel at the heritage steam and diesel trains and the beautiful Yorkshire scenery along the 5 mile line.

Worth Valley trains leave from Platform 4 at Keighley (note the preserved cast iron canopy!) and takes you on an unforgettable journey through beautiful countryside taking in mills and viaducts. For dates of special Thomas the Tank Engine days and times for a Buffet Car service offering Yorkshire real ales check out the website on www.kwvr.co.ukAll stations have disabled ramps and all toilets are accessible. Enquire in advance on access to trains, and check timetables if you particularly want to ride on a steam train as diesel and steam trains run along the route - although a journey on a heritage diesel train is just as fascinating!

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Travelling on the Worth Valley Railway

Travelling on the Worth Valley Railway is a delight and includes a stop at the signal box, a small hut known as Damems Junction near the smallest station on the line. Damems only has enough room for one coach and had a female crossing keeper for many years called Annie Feather.

Whatever train you're on - they'll be an obligatory stop at Damems Junction box as this is the passing loop to enable two trains to be on the branch at the same time and pass each other.

Tokens are exchanged between signalman and train staff. This token acts like a key token and is a brass casting which carries the name of the single line section. The token give authority for single line section use to safeguard against head-on collisions on the single track.

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