Description

Our trip, in perfect weather, takes us from the terminus at Oxenhope to Keighley and back. We set off down the Worth Valley tender first so we can watch the locomotive working hard on the return leg, climbing 300 feet on a gradient which reaches nearly 1:50 in places. This was one of Britain’s first Heritage Railways and runs nearly five miles up the valley in the heart of Bronte country!

Full description from the producer:

The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway was one of the first Heritage Railways to be established in Britain. It runs from Keighley – on the main line from Skipton to Leeds and Bradford – nearly five miles up the Worth Valley in the heart of Bronte country.

It’s a beautiful part of the world, but the valley was a highly industrialised area when the railway was built in the 1860s. Its primary function was to transport goods and materials to and from the large number of mills operating there.

Our journey takes us from the terminus at Oxenhope to Keighley and back. We’ve five cameras recording the action – two on the footplate alone – and the weather for the trip is spectacular. From Oxenhope, we set off down the valley tender first so we can watch the locomotive working hard on the return leg, climbing 300 feet on a gradient which reaches nearly 1:50 in places.

The stations are charming – Haworth, where the railway has its headquarters; Oakworth, where the classic The Railway Children was filmed; the tiny request halt at Damens; and the station at Ingrow West.

We can watch driver Ian and fireman Mike at work along the way, with Mike working particularly hard on the return journey as he battles to maintain boiler pressure on the climb. We’re aboard a Midland Railway Class 4F 0-4-0, no. 43924, built in 1920.

Along with the captivating pictures there’s full commentary, guiding us through the journey and the run-around at Keighley to reposition the engine for the return. Or if you prefer to listen to the sounds of the engine without interruption, you can turn the commentary off.

There are two added extras to enjoy. A short feature about the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway explains more about its history, and about the volunteers who keep it alive today. You can also discover how you could help out, perhaps even taking on the role of an engine driver.

Finally, we’ve recreated our own version of the 1952 BBC film, London to Brighton in Four Minutes, with a high speed runs from Keighley to Oxenhope..

Additional information

Weight	1 lbs
Producer	Oldham Video Productions