Heritage diesels make tracks for Keighley & Worth Valley Railway

A number of locos have already arrived at the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway ahead of a four-day Diesel Gala, which gets underway on Thursday.

The gala is one of the most popular annual events held on the five-mile branch line, which runs through Bronte Country.

Tomorrow at 8.00, the first passenger train of The Diesel Gala will depart Haworth Station, and the Goods Train will depart Keighley Station. The Yard is a hive of activity preparing for the weekend. Will you be joining us?

🟨 https://t.co/bZZm80YSQ9 pic.twitter.com/pNCb0io2yc

— Keighley & Worth Valley Railway (@WorthValley) June 19, 2024

🟨 The Diesel Gala 🟨

Preparations are well underway in the yard at Haworth today.

🚃 50021 in the Shed
🚃 D9520 & D32 ready
🚃 Class 43's & Class 08's ready for Shed Tours
🚃 D0226 returned from a Works Train

🚂 41241, not forgetting the Steam Service tomorrow!#kwvr pic.twitter.com/JJ2tQx9eLj

— Keighley & Worth Valley Railway (@WorthValley) June 18, 2024

The event is particularly appealing to rail enthusiasts who are too young to remember the steam days and were brought up watching the early British Rail diesels in action.

On Monday, Class 50 locomotive 50021 - build more than half a century ago - departed Eastleigh, near Southampton, for the approximate 250-mile journey to Keighley, accompanied by a pair of HST Class 43 power cars, which will be on display in Haworth Yard during the event for those wanting to take shed tours.

Today, more locos were making tracks for West Yorkshire, with 50008 Thunderer and 37250, built in 1964 leaving Northallerton, North Yorkshire, shortly after midday.

Both locos are due to be in operation at this week's gala, along with a fine selection of other locomotives.