Keighley and Worth Valley Railway

In Brief.

The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway is a heritage railway that occupies a 5 mile branch line constructed in the 1860s to provide passenger and goods services to the towns and mills in the valley. Though 5 miles seems very short, train journeys are pleasant enough, with some countryside, some narrow valley scenery, the towns and the occasional tunnel. As a significant tourist destination, the stops include pristine restored stations, museums and an abundance of eateries, and trains are pulled by a variety of steam and diesel rolling stock.

Steam engine from 1888 pulling a passenger train.

What's Here?

Though not originally an especially significant piece of national infrastructure, the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway has been running as a heritage railway for more than 50 years, with more than 100,000 visitors a year.  As well as the regularly running heritage rolling stock, there are many event days of different forms, typically based around train types (I attended on a Steam Gala day) or food (cream teas, afternoon teas, ...). 

A traditional ticket office.

On my weekday visit it became clear that the Steam Gala is a big draw, with the six-coach trains filling up, and being pulled by a variety of local and guest steam engines. I travelled from Oxenhope at the south of the line direct to Keighley at the north for coffee, and then stopped at Ingrown West and Oakworth on the return journey. At Ingrown West there are two museums, one that features a fine collection of vintage railway carriages in excellent condition, and one that focuses on steam locomotives and in particular the passenger locomotive Bahamas.  There is also a small Goods Shed at Oakworth and a substantial exhibition shed at Oxenhope.

The Exhibition Shed at Oxenhope.

Overall, this is a mature heritage railway, with many events providing good reasons to return, and well maintained engines, carriages, stations and exhibits. There are also surprisingly many other things to visit at Keighley.

Practicalities.

Distance from Manchester Town Hall: 35 miles

Drive Time: 1hour 30 minutes

Price: $$

Parking: This varies from station to station. I started at the southern end of the line, at Oxenhope, where there is a large free carpark.

Food and Drink: There are cafes at various stations, and bars on some trains.

Retail therapy: There are train-themed gift shops at Keighley and Haworth stations.

Child Friendly: There is a playground at Oxenhope.

Toilets: Yes - at all stations.

Do it justice in: 3-4 hours. Note that trains are not very frequent, so if you want to visit several stations you may find yourself waiting some time for the next train.

Inside-Outside: 70:30

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