Diesel power will replace steam power on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway starting tomorrow, when the line hosts its weekend-long diesel gala.

And this year’s event will be celebrated by four mayors – although one is a train.

The historic rail line brings together a variety of classic diesel engines from Scotland and North Yorkshire for the annual gala, offering passengers a chance to ride on a variety of trains from the 1950s and 60s.

The three-day event normally attracts a younger crowd of rail enthusiasts, nostalgic for the trains they remember as children.

And the weekend will double as a celebration of the Bahamas Loco Society, based at Ingrow, and their recent lottery grant to restore the 78-year-old Bahamas steam train – the last of its kind used by British Rail.

The group was awarded £775,800 for the repairs, and the train is expected to return to service in 2017, as well as carrying passengers on the Worth Valley line. The 135 tonne train arrived in the town from the National Railway Museum in York last week.

Lord Mayor of Manchester Elaine Boyes had wanted to attend the event and see the train, and so on the Saturday there will be an official civic visit where she will meet the Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Dale Smith and Keighley Mayor George Metcalfe at Ingrow. The trio of mayors will also have a look at one of the station’s engines, named Lord Mayor.

Tim Moody, diesel gala organiser said: “A lot of people don’t remember steam engines running but do remember diesel trains.”

One of the most poignant moments of will come when one of the trains is named after the man who restored it. Tom Clift, former managing director of Grand Central, died last September.

For information, visit kwvr.co.uk.