Winter Gala: 16 February 2008

Fantastic weather for the KWVR annual Winter Steam Gala. Guest locos were the pristine K1 62005 and the not so pristine Ivatt tank 41312; the latter displayed an irritating cylinder drain cock leak, which periodically covered us in a fog of steam. It was also my first view of the impressive WD austerity 90733, newly restored in 2007. Loadings seemed good and there were large crowds on the lineside. Many thanks to all those who organised this terrific event.

One of the things I most like about the KWVR, aside from the stunning scenery, is the degree of integration it has with its environment. Despite ongoing development, old stone house and industrial buildings still survive as part of the scene which the railway shares.

I spent an enjoyable day in the lively company of Graham and Gordon. I ran into Cliff Jones at Oakworth who was up for both days. After his accident on the platform last year (with fatal damage to his camera lens) he failed to warn a fellow photographer of the dangers and the latter duly tripped over; keep clear of this man, he is dangerous to know!

Henry Elliott and Dee were also present. Henry, Graham's well-known northern correspondent was covering the southern half of the line. Dee, with another successful picture in Heritage Railway, is surely the first woman photographer to have a picture taken at the Tanfield Railway published in the railway press.

Heavy freight austerity loco 2-8-0 90733 struggles to keep her feet as she starts up from Damems loop with the traditional early morning goods. Unfortunately there was no smoking brake van this year. I would imagine that last year the guard was having a crafty cigarette and the ban has now put an end to his antics. (3.5mB)

Guest engine, K1 2-6-0 62005 from the NYMR at Damems with the 11:10 ex Keighley. The driver exchanged tokens at the signal box and no doubt rubbed his eyes as did we at the arrival of the crossing train with its unusual combination of standard locos. (5.1mB)

Mid-Hants Ivatt tank, 41312, with its leaking cylinder drain cock rushes past the dilapidated factory building at Ingrow with fellow class member 41241 in tow.  The protective stone wall took most of the blast as she passed us. How long will that building survive, its neighbour on the other side of the line having been demolished. (1.5mB)

Local Jinty 47279 and former Taff Vale Railway no. 85 haul the 13:00 towards Damems. (2.0mB)

Access to Top Field is becoming more difficult these days; as Gordon pointed out the stile by the road has been narrowed. With shadows building up around the line, 80002 hurries past Top Field with the 15:10 ex Haworth. The days are short at this time of the up north. (2.6mB)

An improbably large gallery of photographers witnessed the double-headed combination of K1 62005 and WD 90733 hauling the 16:00 ex Oakworth at Mytholmes. (3.3mB)

Winter Gala: 17 February 2007

I drove up to Keighley in the company of Brian Burrows and Clive Hanley. We travelled in the expectation of cloudy weather, but were pleasantly surprised to find ourselves enjoying a beautiful day with plenty of sunshine. Cliff Jones joined us at Haworth.

As Tyseley supporters we were particularly keen to capture some images of the star of the show, the seldom seen Pitchford Hall, which duly obliged with a lively and typically noisy performance. Plenty of excitement on the lineside too with two ageing photographers on Keighley Bank having an acrimonious argument on who should stand where and indulging in some dubious blocking tactics: grow up please gentlemen!

As usual we met some old friends, the ubiquitous Graham and Gordon and Henry Elliott and Dee.

4953 "Pitchford Hall hauls the 9:40 goods ex Keighley towards Oakworth in wonderful light. (2.5mB)

4953 "Pitchford Hall" enthusiastically pulls the 12:05 up Keighley Bank (3.4mB)

Local stalwart, 41241 leaving Oakworth Station. (3.1mB)

A more typical reaction from the weather as the sun goes behind a cloud as the inevitable pairing of 957 and 85 tackle Keighley Bank with gusto. (3.1mB)

The sun sinks low towards the hills, giving a reddish glow to the surrounding foliage as 80002 rounds the curve at Mytholmes. (1.8mB)

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All photographs and videos copyright ©  Mike Snow