Keighley and Worth Valley Railway Recollections

2015 | History & Politics

Almost immediately following the withdrawal of the passenger service, the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway Preservation Society [KWVRPS] was formed with the object of reopening the line for passenger traffic, and Haworth station was rented to serve as Headquarters, museum site and depot. Being located near the vast industrial conurbation of West Yorkshire, the preservation scheme was ideally placed to attract large numbers of visitors eager to witness steam's return to this 5 mile line set in the heart of the Pennines, running as it does on steep gradients from industrial Keighley to the moorland towns of Haworth, home of the Brontes, and nearby Oxenhope. The aim of this series is to appeal to readers of all ages, perhaps for different reasons...For the younger reader there are wonderful pictures of trains, real trains. There will, for example, be tank engines, steam engines, electric trains and multiple units and many more varieties besides! Some will be recognised from train sets, model railways and books, while others will be seen for the first time.

For the older reader the books are designed to build into a collection placing the railway in the context of key events thus providing an historical perspective of travel in times past. For those old enough to remember the years depicted, the series will, we hope, provide reminders for many of school days, time perhaps spent train-spotting, shed bashing and generally gricing! The books also make ideal theme gifts for the year of birth, marriage, retirement, starting work and other such events in life.

David Mather (Author)