One of the rail preservation movement's most respected figures is retiring from the railway he helped save from oblivion 40 years ago.

Ralph Povey, who was one of the founders of the society which runs the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, has retired as a director of the railway's operating company, having already relinquished the position of society president a couple of years ago.

His interest in his local branch line goes back to the 1950s when he researched its history. When closure was proposed, he took an active part in the protests which led to the closure being delayed for a time, but eventually the axe fell and the line closed completely in 1962.

Having the precedent of the Bluebell Railway in Sussex and a couple of narrow gauge railways in Wales as examples, Ralph and a few like-minded people discussed the possibility of forming a society to take it over and run it.

At this point, the late Bob Cryer took the initiative and called a meeting which led to the formation of a society with Bob as its dynamic and inspirational chairman.

Mr Povey was elected to the committee at the first general meeting and has remained actively involved ever since.

He told us: "This is an appropriate time for me to retire as we have some very good younger members who can take over and keep the railway going for another 40 years. I will still be a regular visitor and maintain an interest - after all, I only live 100 yards from it.

"In our early years, when we operated on a shoestring as far as money was concerned, one of our engines ran out of coal on its way up from Keighley and the driver had to buy a bag from the coal merchant who then operated from Oakworth Station Yard.

"Probably the most significant event to take place over the last forty years has been the making of the Railway Children film. The publicity deriving from that was invaluable. There have been other versions of this story but the film made here for EMI must remain the definitive performance.

"Through our filming activities, we have met many famous names. For me I think Thora Hird and Dinah Sheridan have been the favourites - really delightful ladies to meet."