1940s Weekend
Step Back in Time with Us
Join us for an unforgettable journey into the 1940s as the railway is transformed into a living history experience. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be immersed in the sights, sounds, and spirit of wartime Britain, with music, entertainment, and re-enactments bringing the era to life.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a vintage fashion lover, or simply looking for a unique day out, there’s something for everyone at our 1940s Weekend. Dust off your best period attire, step aboard a heritage steam train, and experience a truly special journey back in time.
DATES
Saturday 17th May
Sunday 18th May
along the railway
Music & Entertainment
Live performances will fill the air at every station, with talented singers performing the beloved songs of the era. A traditional fairground organ at Haworth will keep toes tapping, while Balboa dancers and vintage acts add to the atmosphere.
Living History & Displays
Meet the Haworth Home Guard as they demonstrate their wartime preparations, keep an eye out for patrolling policemen on the lookout for Spivs, and visit a wartime corner shop for an authentic glimpse into 1940s life. History lovers will enjoy exploring ARP encampments, code breaking activities, and interactive displays across the railway.
Food & Refreshments
Soak up the atmosphere with refreshments at our stations. Indulge in tea and cake at Ingrow, enjoy a brew or Yorkshire Dales ice cream from the NAAFI (Tea Hut) at Oakworth, the buffet at Oxenhope will be serving a range of hot and cold sandwiches, snacks and cold drinks, the kiosk at Keighley or why not enjoy a meal at the Railways very own cafe bar The Old Parcel Office, located on the bridge at Keighley station.
Special Guests & Re-enactors
History comes to life as Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur ‘Bomber’ Harris travels across the railway, stopping to deliver rousing speeches. You may also encounter two US Army Captains, keeping a watchful eye on proceedings!
station by station
Each station will be bursting with the sights, sounds, and spirit of the wartime era, with music, entertainment, and immersive displays to transport you back in time.
Oxenhope
Music and entertainment will fill the air throughout the day, setting the perfect vintage atmosphere. Keep an eye out for our patrolling policemen—they’ll be checking IDs and keeping a watchful eye for any mischievous Spivs!
Haworth
The Haworth Home Guard will be stationed outside, ready to showcase displays and demonstrations throughout the weekend. Adding to the nostalgic charm, a hand-turned barrel organ will provide lively tunes while you wait for your train.
Oakworth
On Sunday, don’t miss the fantastic Kyle Evans and his unforgettable George Formby tribute! Stop by the NAAFI (The Tea Hut) for a well-earned cuppa, visit the West Riding ARP encampment, or step inside the wartime corner shop in the booking hall for a nostalgic glimpse into 1940s daily life.
ingrow-west
There’s plenty happening at Ingrow station!
- Saturday 17th May: Test your skills with codebreaking in the Learning Coach and enjoy live performances from the fabulous Lady Lindy.
- Sunday 18th May: Experience the elegance of Balboa dancing at the Vintage Carriage Trust and enjoy a performance from the ever-popular Blondie in Harmony.
- Why not treat yourself to tea and cake from our tea shop while soaking up the atmosphere?
- Step back into the Golden Area of Travel at The Engine Shed Muesum
- Explore the past and the comfort of travel at The Carriage Works
keighley
Live music will set the tone at Keighley tation, with Blondies in Harmony performing on Saturday and Lady Lindy entertaining passengers on Sunday. Step back into the history of the railway and visit the The Water Tower. The Old Parcels Office will be open across the weekend, with a well stocked bar and meals being served.
There’s plenty to keep you busy on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway for our 1940s weekend!
- Experience the sound & smell of a steam railway.
- Five miles of heritage railway to journey along
- Six individual stations, full of character
- An Exhibition Shed displaying vintage coaches and historic engines
- The Carriage Works Museum, one of the finest collections of restored railway carriages
- The Engine Shed is full of exhibits and memorabilia of how railways used to be
- Gift shops at Haworth & Oxenhope
- On train Buffet Car, selling real ale, drinks, snacks & confectionary.
- The Old Parcels Office at Keighley Station serves light snacks, hearty meals and tasty desserts.
Want to get involved in the 1940s Weekend across the railway? Fill in the form above by clicking ‘Get Involved’, and if suitable, we will get in touch!
EVENT INFORMATION
| Notes: |  |
| | | |
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Oxenhope | d | 0925 |
1010 |
1055 |
1145 |
1230 |
1315 |
1400 |
1445 |
1530 |
1610 |
1700 |
1745 |
| Haworth | d | 0931 |
1021 |
1106 |
1151 |
1236 |
1321 |
1406 |
1451 |
1536 |
1621 |
1706 |
1751 |
| Oakworth | d | 0934 |
1024 |
1109 |
1154 |
1239 |
1324 |
1409 |
1454 |
1539 |
1624 |
1709 |
1754 |
| Damems | d | 0937x |
1027x |
1112x |
1157x |
1243x |
1327x |
1412x |
1457x |
1542x |
1627x |
1712x |
1757x |
Ingrow West |
d | 0943 |
1033 |
1118 |
1203 |
1246 |
1333 |
1418 |
1503 |
1548 |
1633 |
1718 |
1803 |
Keighley |
a | 0950 |
1040 |
1125 |
1210 |
1255 |
1340 |
1425 |
1515 |
1555 |
1640 |
1715 |
1810 |
| Notes: |  |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
 |
|
|
| Keighley |
d | 0925 |
1015 |
1100 |
1145 |
1230 |
1315 |
1400 |
1445 |
1530 |
1615 |
1700 |
1745 |
| Ingrow West |
d | 0931 |
1021 |
1106 |
1151 |
1236 |
1321 |
1406 |
1451 |
1536 |
1621 |
1706 |
1751 |
| Damems | d | 0934x |
1024x |
1109x |
1154x |
1239x |
1324x |
1409x |
1454x |
1539x |
1624x |
1709x |
1754x |
| Oakworth | d | 0940 |
1030 |
1115 |
1200 |
1245 |
1330 |
1415 |
1500 |
1545 |
1630 |
1715 |
1800 |
| Haworth | d | 0945 |
1035 |
1120 |
1205 |
1250 |
1335 |
1420 |
1505 |
1550 |
1635 |
1720 |
1805 |
| Oxenhope | a | 0955 |
1040 |
1125 |
1210 |
1255 |
1340 |
1425 |
1510 |
1555 |
1640 |
1725 |
1815 |
Key:
| a | Arrival Time |
| d | Departure Time |
| x | Request Stop. To board a train, inform the station staff. To alight from a train, inform the Train Guard before the train leaves the previous station. |
 | Connections with National Rail services to Leeds, Bradford, Skipton & beyond |
 | Alight at Ingrow for “Rail Story” museums & exhibitions. |
 | Real Ale Bar Car conveyed on this train serving teas, coffees, soft drinks, real ale, wine and spirits. A selection of snacks and confectionary is available too. |
 | Steam Train |
 | Diesel Train |
Standard fares
Regular fares are available, with full-line return on sale on the day at any booking office, along with single and return fares. Membership and Resident Railcard discounts are valid and useable on the day.
| TICKET | ON THE DAY | ONLINE 3 DAYS IN ADVANCE |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | £23.00 | £20.70 |
| Child (5-15) | £11.50 | £10.35 |
| Child under 5 | FREE | FREE |
| Family Offers | ||
| One Adult & One Child | £28.75 | £25.85 |
| Two Adults & Three Children | £57.50 | £51.75 |
| Local Resident Card Holder & Members | £11.50 | N/A |
If you live in Postcode areas BD20, BD21 or BD22, you can take advantage of special reduced fares by having a Residents Railcard. Find out more information about how to apply on the website.
Across the 1940s Weekend, we encourage you to travel by public transport to the railway. There will be very limited parking at the stations due to the attractions across the weekend; please do not park irresponsibly in the surrounding areas.
You can find more information about getting the railway in the dedicated travel section.
Dogs are welcome across the 1940s Weekend.
We recognise that these dogs provide valuable assistance for the sight-impaired, those with hearing loss, epilepsy, diabetes, physical mobility problems, and more. Assistance Dogs are welcome on ALL KWVR trains, and no charge is made for them.
These are the perfect spots to stop along the railway for a bite to eat, a brew, or a pint.
The Old Parcels Office, overlooking the tracks of Keighley Station from the bridge, its the railway’s recently refurbished venue for great food and drink in the centre of Keighley.
Our days start with hearty breakfasts and freshly ground coffee, and from lunchtime, you can enjoy a wider selection of dishes prepared with local ingredients to suit every appetite.
Take time out between trains and enjoy a proper Yorkshire brew with Taylors of Harrogate and Yorkshire Teas, or take something a bit stronger, like one of our house cocktails made with the best spirits and liqueurs. Families can relax as kids are well catered for with their menu packed with favourites, healthy and tasty.
The Old Parcels Office serves meals all day accompanied by hand-pulled real ale, a choice of real bottled beers, quality lagers, and ciders that will quench your thirst and keep you fuelled up to visit the railway’s museums and historic stations.
A traditional pub with a warm welcome, a perfect space for meetings or celebrations.
OPENING TIMES
| WED | 09.00 – 17.00 |
| THUR | 09.00 – 17.00 |
| FRI | 09.00 – 22.00 |
| SAT | 09.00 – 22.00 |
| SUN | 09.00 – 17.00 |
The Old Parcels Office will also be open on days when trains run.. Check the timetable to find out the running days.
In 1982 the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway invested in an atmospheric tearoom. You can now enjoy lunch and refreshment breaks throughout the day seated in a railway carriage that used to speed along Britain’s mainline railway network. Besides top-quality tea, coffee, and other soft drinks, the tearoom offers sandwiches, pies, cakes and biscuits!
OPENING TIMES
9.30 am until 4.30 pm
The Buffet Car will be open on days when trains run, every weekend all year and during holidays. Have a look at the timetable to find out the running days.
Sit a while and enjoy a nice cup of tea outside the historic station’s Tea Hut and explore the Goods Yard or the trains passing through the station. Enjoy the spirit of a true country station and the open spaces of the Worth Valley as well as top-quality teas, snacks & confectionary.
OPENING TIMES
10.00 am until 4.30 pm
The Tea Hut is opening on running days between March & September.
If you don’t have time to visit the Old Parcels Office, the Buffet is also open whenever passenger trains run. Positioned on the platform, the buffet is an old W. H. Smith bookstall; you can buy hot and cold drinks, snacks, sandwiches and sweets.
Directly alongside the Buffet is a gift shop, selling books, souvenirs and lots of little gifts.
OPENING TIMES
9.30 am until 4.30 pm
The Buffet will be open on days when trains run, every weekend all year and during holidays. Have a look at the timetable to find out the running days.
The Keighley & Worth Valley is unique because most of our trains convey a real-ale buffet car, serving real-ale from traditional hand pumps. The buffet car also serves tea, coffee and a wide selection of soft drinks & snacks – but it’s the real-ale that is the real treat for our passengers.
But how does a traditional beer barrel with sediment remain drinkable on a moving train? The beer is drawn from the cask before the journey into a specially made drum on the train, ensuring a perfect pint throughout the day. The Railway uses local breweries, and on selected weekends, there can be up to three real-ales on board – we usually try to have two at least!
OPENING TIMES
You can check on the timetable to see when the On-Train bar is conveyed by looking for the coffee cup symbol in the notes section.
Members & Local Resident Car holders can enjoy a discount on it too.
The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway attracts a wide variety of visitors and welcomes all in society irrespective of age, gender, or any impairment, whether physical, intellectual, or sensory. The KWVR strives to provide access for people of all ages with various mobility or other special needs wherever possible.
We are committed to making everyone’s visit to the railway as enjoyable as possible.
You can find out more about it in the Accessibility Section of the website.