There's a new age of steam down at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway - being powered by women.

Gone are the days when men did all the donkey work and got their hands dirty while their womenfolk just helped out in the sandwich bar and ticket office.

Today the women muck in at every level from stoking the boilers on the engine as firemen, to staffing the level crossings, right up to the decision makers and the president herself.

Time was when many of the females who became involved with the voluntary-run steam railway based in Haworth were drawn to the line by their male partner's involvement.

But now an increasing number are joining of their own volition to keep the wheels turning on one of the district's most popular tourist attractions.

Keighley MP, Ann Cryer, became the railway's first lady president 12 months ago, stepping up from being the first serving lady vice president.

Her interest was sparked by her late husband, Bob, a former Keighley MP who was the railway's driving-force chairman, as well as a cleaner, fireman, driver and guard.

Mrs Cryer joined in 1962, and has seen a growing involvement of women in the organisation over the years, which she welcomes with open arms.

"I think thank goodness the railway has kept pace with changes in society," she said. "Many women have come in as wives like I did, but there are increasing numbers of women who have come in of their own volition."

Chris Cashman and Aileen Hindle are two women recently elevated to the decision-making ruling council of the railway.

Chris, who joined the KWVR five years ago, and whose daughter Victoria helps out too, said: "It used to be more of a hobby for men, but we are now trying to encourage more females, and it is good to have lady members involved in the decision making."

Aileen's interest was sparked by her husband, and started by helping out in the shop before moving on to become a buyer in the sales department and working with the treasurer. But now she is looking forward to the new challenge of helping with the decision-making as a member of the railway council.

She said: "I will be able to put forward the family point of view because railways have a stigma of only anoraks being interested in steam engines. But I am not interested in all that, the trains aren't where my interest is. I am interested in the buildings and making sure they are clean and tidy for our customers."

But two women who really like to get their hands dirty in the day-to-day running of the steam railway are Helaina Merrett, of Oxenhope, and Frances Hellewell, of Haworth.

Helaina, 18, came to the line via her brother Alec, and started out working in the buffet and ticket office. But now the teenager who wants to join the army and eventually the police force, has recently qualified as a crossing keeper, controlling the crossing gates and making sure the station looks spick and span for visitors.

But things were different when the 18-year-old became a volunteer with the station three years ago, after being introduced to it by her brother Alec.

And nineteen-year-old Frances, who has been steeped in the soot and grime of the steam railway almost from birth, became the railway's first lady fireman recently, inspired to the role by her engine driver father, Nicholas.

Frances, studying physiotherapy at Bradford University, used to be put on the back of the engine in her carry cot, and later she remembers her mum taking her and sister Emma to see their father at work when they were young.

Later still, she started by helping out in the shop, and then did some waitressing, but what she really wanted was to get involved in the nitty gritty of the railway.

She qualified as a shunter, directing the trains round the yard before making the grade as a fireman.

And all the men of the railway couldn't be happier that the womenfolk are mucking in at every level. As the railway celebrates its 40th anniversary as an independent line this week, administration assistant Jim Shipley said: "The days of anoraks, woolly hats and flasks have gone. The railway is now a place for all the family."Pictured is gaurd Alison Lockyear.