Description
The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, the only complete branch line in the UK has held many successful events and hauled thousands of passengers along the picturesque five mile branch line throughout 2013.
This review of 2013 gives a round up of the action from throughout the year, the railway held many events including their famous Winter and Autumn Steam Gala events.
Winter Steam Gala, 1st – 3rd March:
The Winter Steam Gala of 2013 was held later than usual and ran during March 2013, visiting for the event was Lancashire & Yorkshire ‘A Class’ No.1300 which had been re-painted for the event. Also visiting was BR 2MT No.78019 from the Great Central Railway.
The event marked the final weekend for the ‘A Class’ to haul services at the Worth Valley before leaving for the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway. BR 2MT No.78019 visiting the railway allowed the typical branch line service to grace the Worth Valley once again. Also returning to haul services at the event, after extensive repair work was ‘Dub-Dee’ No.90733, which was running-in after several years in Haworth MPD with repairs to the axleboxes.
Autumn Steam Gala, 11th – 13th October:
The Autumn Gala featured a Great Western flavour with three visting Great Western Engines from around the UK. Visiting the railway was GWR 15XX No.1501 from the Severn Valley Railway, GWR 51XX No.4160 from the West Somerset Railway and GWR 78XX No.7812 ‘Erlestoke Manor’ from the Severn Valley Railway. Throughout the weekend the engines put on fantastic performances as they slipped on the climb from Keighley to Oxenhope. ‘Dub-Dee’ No.90733 was also seen in a weathered condition to represent sister engine No.90711 which was a Bradford based engine.
Due to the shortage of steam engines during the 2013 season, LMS 5MT No.45305 was brought in to cover some services throughout the year. Normally based at the Great Central Railway, the ‘Black 5’ became a regular candidate for motive power throughout the year.
January 2013 saw the final services from LMS 2MT No.41241 and Lancashire & Yorkshire ‘Ironclad’ No.957 which were withdrawn from service due to their 10 year boiler certificates expiring. A special steam service day was held in light of this which was helped with a dusting of snow.
Other events were held at the railway during 2013 including Vintage Train Services with LNWR No.1054, the ‘Final Farewell’ to BR 4MT No.80002, Beer and Music Festival, Santa Special services and many other too. A wide collection of running days are featured throughout the DVD including lineside shots an aspect not usually available to the general public.
Some of the steam engines featured on the DVD include:
– LMS 2MT No.41241
– LMS 4F No.43924
– LMS 5MT No.45305
– BR 2MT No.78019
– BR 4MT No.80002
– Hudswell Clarke No.1704 ‘Nunlow’
– LNWR ‘Coal Tank’ No.1054
– L&Y ‘A Class’ No.1300
– L&Y ‘Ironclad’ Class No.957
– GWR 15XX No.1501
– GWR 51XX No.4160
– GWR 78XX No.7812 ‘Erlestoke Manor’
– Any many others too.
Product Overview:
This DVD features no commentary, allowing you to fully appreciate the sound of the steam locomotives working hard. Short titles are included throughout informing you of the date, railway / charter name, locomotive and location. This DVD runs for approx. 81 minutes and is available in UK 16:9 widescreen PAL format only.