Welcome to the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway - Oxenhope - Haworth - Oakworth - Damems - Ingrow West

STEP BACK IN TIME and enjoy a train ride through the heart of Brontë country. Most services are operated by steam trains, but the railway also serves the local community, with many people using the morning diesel railcar services to do their shopping in Keighley.

The steep gradient up the Worth Valley from the Keighley terminus has been a challenge for locomotives ever since the line opened on 15th April 1867. The sound of a steam engine tackling this climb echoes from the steep sides of the valley, while great clouds of steam and smoke add drama to the scene. Many of the woollen mills that once stood close to the line have been demolished, but a few remain as reminders that the textile industry was the reason why the line was built. Like the railway, the mills relied on coal, and the trains were able to bring hundreds of tons up the valley each week to keep the looms working by steam power. The five mile journey is a powerful reminder of our industrial heritage, as well as being a unique way of enjoying the beautiful countryside immortalised by Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë.

When British Railways closed the line in 1962, local people and railway enthusiasts joined forces to try and save it. A Preservation Society was formed and after many years of volunteer struggle the line re-opened to passenger traffic on 29th June 1968. The decision to recreate the atmosphere of a 1950s branch line has been hugely popular, not least with film makers and TV producers. Over the years, the Railway has appeared in many TV and film productions including Yanks, Sherlock Holmes, Last of the Summer Wine, Treasure Hunt, Sons and Lovers, Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em, Poirot, Born and Bred, The Royal, Where The Heart Is, A Touch Of Frost, Songs Of Praise, and Pink Floyd's The Wall.

The Railway is perhaps most famous for its role in the 1970 film version of Edith Nesbit's story The Railway Children.

The Railway is publishing a book which describes the making of the film and includes over 70 photographs along with the recollections of many volunteers who were involved.

The railway is justifiably proud that its painstaking attention to detail pays off so handsomely. It is a railway for all seasons, where winter visitors can see the stations bathed in gaslight and warm themselves in front of the coal fires in the waiting rooms. In summer, the station gardens are alive with blooms. Kingfishers, herons and dippers can be seen in the adjacent streams. Locally brewed real ale provides welcome refreshment in the on-train buffet car - more info here

The KWVR's first public timetable from 1968 - note the name "The Bronte Line"

The Railway has come a long way since 1968 and continues to thrive thanks to the efforts of many dedicated volunteer staff. If you want to learn more about becoming a volunteer on Britain's finest heritage railway - click here

Haworth Village is just a short walk away from the Railway station. The area is rather hilly and the easiest pedestrian route to the Parsonage and Old Village is to go out of the station, over the railway footbridge and straight up the cobbled lane. If you don't fancy the walk, there's a regular bus service to Haworth Main Street which stops just opposite Haworth Railway station by the Spar store. On certain summer Sundays and Bank Holidays, a special bus links Haworth station forecourt with Haworth village, Stanbury and Ponden Mill.

Car Parking

There are several pay & display car parks within easy reach of Haworth Village:

Next to the Bronte Parsonage (at the top of the village)
Off Sun Street (near the bottom of Main Street)
Opposite Edinburgh Woollen Mill (at the top of the village)

Please take care as some visitors to Haworth have had their visit spoiled because they overstay the time on their ticket and are subsequently clamped

Accommodation, Restaurants & Pubs, Walks, Local History and more

Up to date information from the Haworth Village Website - click here

Bus & Train Services

Information on local public transport services - click here

Taxi Services

Bronte Taxis are based just a few hundred yards from Haworth railway station and may be contacted on 01535 644442.

Live Haworth WebCam

See what's happening on Haworth's famous Main Street - click here

Keighley to Oxenhope in just 23 seconds

Images courtesy of Haworth Village Website - click here

Updated - 11.45am Thursday 2nd September 2010

Santa's On His Way

This year's Santa trains will run on Saturdays and Sundays 27/28 November, and 4/5, 11/12, 18/19 December

The number for telephone bookings is 01535 645214 and the line is open every day between 10am and 4pm commencing Monday 6th September

For full details of times, dates, fares etc, and to download a Booking Form - click here

What's On This Weekend

Keighley Show

The Annual Keighley Agricultural Show takes place this Saturday and Keighley Bus Museum volunteers will be operating a regular service of connecting buses between Keighley Station and the Marley Fields Showground. Timetable here

Locomotives In Traffic

Services this weekend will be operated by the WD Austerity locomomotive No. 90733

On-Train Beer Range

Copper Dragon Brewery '1816' - 4.1%

York Brewery 'Blonde' - 4%

Durham Brewery 'White Gem' - 3.9%

Naylors Brewery 'Equinox Light' - 4%

3 Guest Locos for Steam Gala

British Railways Standard Class 5 No. 73129, LMS Black Five No. 44871 and ex-Haydock Foundry well tank 'Bellerophon' will be visiting the KWVR for the Autumn Steam Gala on 8th, 9th and 10th October.

No. 73129 is the only surviving Standard Class 5 built by British Railways which was fitted with Caprotti valve gear. (Photo: Andrew PM Wright)

'Bellerophon' is owned by the Ingrow-based Vintage Carriages Trust but is currently based at the Foxfield Railway. it's visit to the KWVR coincides with the 25th anniversary of its return to traffic.

LMS Black Five No. 44871 is owned by Ian Riley and is normally based at the East Lancashire Railway in Bury. It is remembered as one of the locomotives on the famous '15 Guinea Special'

You can help to publicise the event by downloading a copy of our full colour Gala Poster here and displaying it in your local library/pub/club etc.

Pullman Dining Train - Availability

A few tables are still available on Saturday evening White Rose Pullman dining train on 25th September. More details here or phone 01535 645214

Carol Service Train

This hugely popular train will operate on the evening of Saturday 18th December. Telephone bookings will commence on Monday 4th October and further details will be posted here when available.

Autumn 'Push & Pull' steams in

The Autumn edition of the Railway's in-house magazine Push & Pull is now available from Haworth station and has been posted out to members. Details here

'The Railway Children' into 2011

York Theatre Royal’s stage production of The Railway Children in the former Eurostar terminal at London's Waterloo Station continues to play to packed houses and has now been extended into the new year.

It features the KWVR-based Old Gentleman's Saloon and the NRM's Stirling Single steam locomotive. Tickets for the show may be pre-booked and would make an ideal Christmas present - for more details click here

Be 'Mr. Perks' at Oakworth

On selected weekend dates throughout the summer you can follow in the footsteps of Mr. Perks at Oakworth station. Operate the famous level crossing, pull the signals, use the block bell system, and even despatch trains from the station. More here

Making of The Railway Children

Read about the making of the classic film as recalled by the railway volunteers who were actually involved. This new book includes around 70 photographs, information on the filming, behind-the-scenes gossip, personal recollections of railway staff and more. It is available at all KWVR shops or on 01535 645214.

Diesel Loco & Railcar Updates

Above - work proceeds replacing axles on the downhill bogie of the Class 101 unit.

For updates on our fleet of diesel locomotives and multiple units, plus details of operating, restoration, special events and additional diesel hauled trains, please click here

Last Few WDs - Buy Now

There are now less than 50 of the Bachmann WD "Remembrance" WD models left in stock. As Bachmann itself does not have any "basic" WD models in its warehouse and is not anticipating any for the forseeable future, if anyone wants a WD model ... then we are the people to get it from!.

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