Railway steams along

Railway proudly

celebrates 30 years of steam this

weekend with a series of events. Richard Brugger looks back on three decades of living and working history

It will be an emotional two days for many of the volunteers who have devoted their time and enthusiasm into developing one of the country's finest heritage railways.

And to celebrate the special event, trains arriving at the Oxenhope terminus on Satur-day will be greeted by a brass band playing 'congratulations' - just as the first train was greeted 30 years ago.

The musical theme will continue on Sunday with the same brass band playing at Ingrow West Station.

Beatles tribute band 'Straw-berry Jam' will also be getting their ticket to ride when they play some of the fab four's greatest hits at Keighley Station on Sunday.

The tiny Leeds-built steam engine Sir Berkeley will be teaming up with the grand North Eastern Railway directors' saloon.

A vintage transport rally will also take place at Ingrow West on both days, and there will be free vintage bus rides to Cliffe Castle and East Riddlesden Hall.

Railway chairman Graham Mitchell says: "This should be a weekend to remember. It marks the climax of 30 years of volunteer effort."

As Britain's first private rail company, the K&WVR rolled into life just as the heady days of steam were fading into history.

For founder members like Brian Baker and Bill Black, the weekend is sure to bring back the memories of June 29, 1968.

Brian was guard on the first steam train and rail bus when the line officially re-opened, and went on to become chairman from 1972 to 1980. He replaced the first chairman, the late Bob Cryer (a former Keighley Labour MP and husband of current MP Ann).

Bill - who followed Brian as chairman until 1988 - also recalls the day when all the hard work came to fruition. "I was Keighley Station Master on the opening day and my young son Alisdair was pictured by 'Yorkshire Life' underneath the station clock," he remembers. This weekend marks 30 years of volunteer progress and is a tremendous tribute to the 5,000 members who have shown remarkable dedication over the years. This was five miles of rusty railway when we took it over and since then it has evolved. All the stations have had an enormous amount of work done on them."

The society is also proud of the way it has maintained a public passenger service every weekend while maintaining a spotless safety record.

Bill adds: "One of the great things is the mixture of people we have here - from engineers to accountants and solicitors. We have between 70 and 80 operating staff.

"And we have never had trouble in the operating area because people are so proud of the railway that they don't want to let the side down."

Although the bulk of volunteers is still made up of people who experienced steam in its heyday, a younger generation is stoking up the fires of interest.

Julian Jones is one such member. He says: "There are a lot of young people coming into the railway who never experienced steam, and they are picking up skills from the older generation."

During the anniversary celebrations, trains will be running from 9.15am-6.30pm on both days. Tickets will cost £10 for adults, £5 for children and OAPs and £20 for a family rover. Information is available from all K&WVR stations, Keighley and Haworth tourist information offices, or by phoning 01535 647777.

Opinion, page 10

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