Keighley and Worth Valley Railway plans expansion

After meeting other members of the society, chairman Dr Matthew Stroh announced plans that would make the line’s Haworth, Oxenhope and Keighley stations a must for families and train buffs.

At Haworth – already one of the area’s top tourist destinations – the vision involves creating a visitor attraction by extending the station’s locomotive shed. It would also be used to train young volunteers and let visitors see restoration of the classic engines.

A collection of diesel locomotives could be moved to Oxenhope – the final stop on the line – and the station would get a new cafe to replace its ageing buffet carriage.

There could also be a new base at Keighley station, where the line joins the national rail network.

Mr Stroh said the changes would be costly but hoped grants could help pay for much of them.

He said: “To help free up space at Oxenhope we intend to extend the locomotive shed at Haworth. This will allow us to relocate to Haworth some of the stored locomotives from Oxenhope, giving a locomotive-focused visitor attraction for the first time, possibly with a viewing gallery over the current locomotive shed to see restorations in progress. This will also provide a much-needed training facility.”

The society has set up a financial controller to look at ways of raising the estimated £750,000.

The group is exploring whether land owned by Network Rail at Keighley station could be used as a new base and has launched a business feasibility study to look into new catering possibilities at Oxenhope.

The railway recently announced a partnership with the National Railway Museum in York that would involve engines from the national collection being displayed in Oxenhope. Haworth Parish Council chairman John Huxley welcomed news of a new attraction, saying: “I have had the plans outlined to me and they sound very interesting. I am very excited to see what they come up with.”