|
KWVR - Steam Railway History
|
| 21/02/1804 |
Richard Trevithick's Penydarren, the world's first steam locomotive made its first journey. It hauled ten tons of iron, 60 - 70 passengers and five wagons on the nine-mile journey from Penydarren to Merthyr Tydfil.
|
| 27/09/1825 |
| The Stockton Darlington Railway opened. It was the first passenger rail service, the steam locomotive travelled at 10mph. |
| 06/10/1829 |
 The directors of the Liverpool and Manchester company held a competition called the "Rainhill Trials" to find the most suitable locomotive.
The winner was Robert Stephenson's Rocket which was awarded the prize of £500 |
| 15/09/1830 |
| The Manchester and Liverpool railway opened. During the ceremony, William Huskisson MP, became the first person to be killed by a train. |
| 02/07/1846 |
| Leeds and Bradford Railway opened. |
| 16/03/1847 |
Leeds and Bradford Railway Extension line opened to Keighley.
|
| 28/08/1861 |
"We are directed to the favour of your attendance at a meeting to be held at the Black Bull Inn, in Haworth on Friday 13th September at Three 0' clock in the afternoon, commenced for the purpose of considering and determining if any and what steps shall now be taken to obtain to Haworth and the Vale of Worth the advantages of that Railway communication it so much requires."
Extract from copy of circular calling the first meeting of proposed Haworth railway |
| 08/10/1861 |
"That this meeting being fully convinced that a Railway from Keighley to Haworth is necessary for the maintenance of the present value of property, the general welfare of the locality and the industrial progress, pledges itself to subscribe and to obtain subscription for the accomplishment of the object, being convinced that it will form a good investment of capital and that the question of its prolongation to Lowertown depend upon its survey, and probable traffic and subscription."
Extract from KWVR minutes at the Black Bull Haworth to propose the formation of the Worth Valley Railway. |
| 01/11/1861 |
"That the Promoters of the proposed Keighley and Worth Valley Railway consider that they have sufficient capital subscribed to justify them going to Parliament for the requisite powers to enable them to make the proposed Railway from Keighley to Oxenhope and determine that the necessary steps to obtain an act be forthwith taken."
Extract from KWVR minutes. |
| 31/12/1861 |
| "the following names were agreed upon to be inserted in the Bill as the first Directors (Keighley and Worth Valley Railway) George Oates Greenwood, James Sugden, Jonathan Nowell Craven, Isaac Holden, Robert Newsholme Sugden, Edwin Merrall, John Feather, Michael Merrall and James Haggas." |
| 07/01/1862 |
| "It is required by the standing orders in Parliament, that eight per cent upon the whole cost of the proposed undertaking (Keighley and Worth Valley Railway) viz £2880 must be deposited in the Chancery." |
| 24/01/1862 |
| "It was unanimously resolved that the course of the line (Keighley and Worth Valley Railway) as shown on the deposited plans, at its junction with the main line at Keighley Station be approved, and that the Engineer be authorised to make a definitive survey of the whole line". |
| 07/02/1862 |
| "It was distinctly understood by the deputation who waited upon the Midland Directors, that no charge was to be made to this company for either the Keighley Station or the short length of line in connection with the work of the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway." |
| 21/02/1862 |
"The directors pledge themselves to make a Bridge with approaches at the crossing of Woodhouse Road, either under or over the Rails in lieu of a level crossing, and that with respect to the crossing of the Road at the Damems, it is deemed impracticable to give other than a level crossing"
"Moved by Mr Butterfield and seconded by Mr Craven, that the Road from the Terminus in Oxenhope to Lower Town Bridge, be made at the expense of the Company, provided the Railway be made to Oxenhope."
Extract from KWVR minutes of meeting at the Black Bull Haworth |
| 30/06/1862 |
| The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway Company were granted Royal Assent to an Act of Parliament allowing them to build the railway from Keighley to Oxenhope. |
| 15/08/1862 |
"That having considered the proposals of the two engineers for the Parliamentary, and construction charges, viz £85 and £300 per mile, the same be agreed to on the distinct understanding that they keep down the cost of construction as near to the Estimate as possible."
Extract from KWVR minutes at the Black Bull Haworth on building the Worth Valley Railway. |
| 23/12/1862 |
| The first general meeting of the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway Company was held at the Black Bull Haworth. "Mr Mc Landsborough the Engineer addressed the meeting as to the selected route....which he believed would be less than the estimated sum." "The seal now produced and exhibited for inspection be adopted as the seal of the said company." |
| 19/01/1864 |
| The directors of the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway awarded the contract to build the line to John Metcalfe of Bradford. |
| 09/02/1864 |
| The first sod was ceremoniously cut by the chairman of the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway Mr Isaac Holden. A procession left Haworth at 2 o'clock with a sliver spade of carved and polished oak supplied by Mr Manoah Rhodes of Bradford and a barrow of polished oak supplied by Messrs Pratt and Prince of Bradford. |
| 12/02/1864 |
“A vote of thanks be given to Mr Holden for his kindness and liberality in promising to pay for the wine used at the public dinner at the cutting of the first sod on Shrove Tuesday Feb 9th 1864 put and carried unanimously”
Extract from KWVR minutes. |
| 17/05/1864 |
"That the Clerk draw up a request and present it from this Board to the directors of The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway Company that they should cause to be made a footpath underneath the line of rails which is in the course of construction near the Corn Mill to prevent the level crossing and thereby render more safety to foot passengers to and from Haworth."
Extract from Haworth Local Board of Health Minute Book |
| 31/05/1864 |
Surveyors working on the Worth Valley Railway went for lunch at a nearby farm, leaving the railway plans and their measuring equipment in a field. While they were away cows trod on the tools and ate the plans.
Bill o'th Hoylus records the date and event as: "Tkah swollod tplan ot Howorth Railway" About Bill o’ th’ Hoylus here... |
| 16/09/1864 |
| "Examining the map of the line (Keighley and Worth Valley Railway) and pointing out the various parties who have given possession of their Lands & other property required, and also those who have not". "The attention of the Engineer be directed to the cutting, through the road called Ebor Lane for the intended bridge being in a very dangerous state." |
| 23/12/1864 |
| Keighley and Worth Valley Railway Company held third general meeting: "He has not got possession of all the Land & other property as he expected" |
| 03/01/1865 |
| "Carried unanimously that the Darlington Iron Company Tender for the Rails (for Keighley and Worth Valley Railway) be accepted being £7:10 per ton" |
| 05/05/1865 |
| Trustees of the Wesley Place Methodist Chapel (Ingrow) held a meeting to discuss the damage to the church caused by the building of the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. On the advice of their solicitor they wrote a letter of complaint to the railway and eventually had the chapel rebuilt further away. |
| 02/06/1865 |
"The Directors have seriously considered the case of the Wesley place Chapel (Ingrow) that notwithstanding the notice of the Railway Company that the rails would pass near the Chapel the Directors find that the Chapel is placed with insufficient foundations upon bad ground; so that the building gave way before the railway cutting was commenced."
Extract from KWVR minutes. The Wesley Chapel near Ingrow tunnel had been damaged while building the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, it was later demolished and rebuilt. |
| 31/10/1865 |
"Moved by Mr Greenwood and seconded by W George Merrall and carried unanimously that the Clerk seek advice from Mr Wright the board's solicitor respecting the dangerous state of the new road made by the Railway Company and if deemed advisable summon the contractor."
Extract from Haworth Local Board of Health Minute Book |
| 26/06/1866 |
| While building the Keighley and Worth Valley railway a labourer Martin Honley, aged 23 was seriously cut and bruised about the head by a fall of earth at Walk Mill. This is the only seriously recorded accident during the building of the line. |
| 01/11/1866 |
| The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway track was completed, the contractor borrowed an engine from the Ilkley line and a test run from Keighley to Oxenhope was performed. |
| 14/11/1866 |
| Severe Floods hit the area. At the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway forty yards of embankment were washed away at Damems, and there was a landslip at Haworth Station. This caused a delay in opening the line. The railway was officially opened on the 13th April 1867. |
| 13/04/1867 |
Keighley and Worth Valley Railway was officially opened.
The first train was a tank engine pulling seven coaches and a guards van. The locomotive pulled out of Keighley station carrying the invited guests, bad weather and wet rails caused the locomotive to grind to a halt just past the station.
The train was successful on the second attempt, but between Oakworth and Haworth it got stuck again due to damp rails. |
| 15/04/1867 |
| Keighley and Worth Valley Railway began regular passenger service running six trains each way at weekdays and two on Sundays. |
| 25/05/1867 |
"Since the Worth Valley Railway was opened it has been the means already of bringing thousands of visitors to the ancient village of Haworth. During the past few Sundays, hundreds have been enjoying the pure air and mountain breezes in the romantic neighbourhood. To all appearances it is very likely to become a general pleasure locality in the summer months."
Extract from Keighley News |
| 04/06/1867 |
"That the Clerk write to W M Buse solicitor of Keighley respecting the rating of Railway."
Extract from Haworth Local Board of Health Minute Book |
| 25/06/1867 |
| "A platform at Damems was ordered to be made 30 yards long and 2 yards broad." |
| 01/07/1867 |
| Keighley and Worth Valley Railway began regular Goods traffic. |
| 09/07/1867 |
| "A notice to be sent to this party to remove the manure they have placed upon the Companies ground (Keighley and Worth Valley Railway) at Low Bridge or legal proceedings will be instituted." |
| 20/08/1867 |
| "that all thistles must be mown and cleared away from the slopes and land belonging to the Company (Keighley and Worth Valley Railway) without further delay." |
| 24/09/1867 |
| "That one Ten Tons Crane be ordered for Oxenhope Station from the Leeds Railway Plant Company Limited price £150." |
| 03/12/1867 |
| "This board cannot seperate without recording its deep sense of the loss it has sustained by the death of its Vice Chairman the late James Sugden Esq - his attendance at the directors Meetings was constant & regular, his conduct that of a gentleman and a christian - his councils judicous - his interest in the welfare of the Railway deep and interest for the promotion of which his valuable aid was cheerfully rendered in every possible form." |
| 03/05/1870 |
“That new lines of rails be agreed upon to be laid at Oakworth in order that two engines may be employed to work the train required."
Extract from KWVR minutes. |
| 13/09/1870 |
“That the secretary go over to Derby reporting the proposed alteration of the line at Oakworth- obtain the plan and ask the Midland Company for what amount they will complete the work, they taking what material this company has as cash price to be deducted from the amount of their tender.”
Extract from KWVR minutes. |
| 03/10/1873 |
"Mr Holden and Mr Illingworth be requested to have an interview with the official of the Great Northern Railway respecting their joining the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway Line."
Extract from KWVR minutes. |
| 30/06/1875 |
"Mr R.L. Harttersley and John Laycock (Gas Superintendent) waited upon the directors from the Gas committee of the Keighley Local Board of Health to ascertain if arrangements could be made with the directors for laying a nine inches diat Gas Main along the side of the Railway from about Grove Mill to Dockroyd."
Extract from KWVR minutes. |
| 27/09/1875 |
| Accident on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. Wagons and empty passenger carriages had not had their brakes pinned down at Oakworth station. As a consequence they departed the station and continued down the line colliding with the Bradford to Colne train at Keighley station. Some of the passengers were injured. |
| 04/10/1876 |
"That Mr Illingworth’s purchase of ground adjoining the railway at Paper Mill Bridge be completed and the necessary steps taken to that end."
Extract from KWVR minutes. |
| 28/09/1878 |
"The Directors of the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway Company at their meeting this day have instructed me to write you that complaints have been made to them of continued interruption of traffic across the line at the Oakworth station by reason of the gates fixed there being kept constantly closed and locked; Will you kindly give the necessary instructions that this grievance may be at once removed and the traffic along the road only impeded at the time of the passing of trains."
Extract from KWVR minutes. |
| 06/08/1879 |
"That Mr Illingworth be requested to see Mr John Redman and sell him the plot of land above Bridgehouse adjoining the Beck and also the slopes of land at Bridgehouse for the best price he can."
Extract from KWVR minutes. |
| 09/09/1880 |
"That the seal of the company be now affixed to the agreement now read between the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway Company for the sale and transfer of the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway to the Midland Railway Company for the sum and on the terms and conditions stated in the aforesaid agreement."
Extract from KWVR minutes. |
| 01/03/1881 |
"According to the present plans for Keighley Midland Station about to be constructed, the passengers to and from the Worth Valley Line will be put to great inconvenience in having to ascend and descend steps in passing to and from the Main Line and requesting the Board to join in petitioning the company to provide a subway."
Extract from Haworth Local Board of Health Minute Book |
| 01/07/1881 |
| Midland Railway took over operating the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway line. Ownership was still with the K&WVR. |
| 19/08/1881 |
That the Board lay at the cost of the Midland Railway Company, a two inch gas main from the main in Mill Lane Oxenhope to Oxenhope Railway Station.
Extract from Haworth Local Board of Health Minute Book |
| 06/05/1883 |
| Keighley Station was opened in its present location. |
| 21/07/1885 |
| "Received from the Midland Railway Company the sum of £13.800 and £756.7.4 being the agreed upon balance payable by them to the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway Company" |
| 02/02/1886 |
"Notice is hereby given that pursuant to provisions of "The Midland Railway (Additional Powers) Act, 1885" A special meeting of the proprietors of the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway Company will be held on Tuesday the 2nd day of February 1886, at half past three o'clock in the afternoon, for the purpose of taking into consideration, and, if so determined of approving a scheme prepared by the Directors of the Midland Railway Company, under the authority of the above mentioned Act for the consolidation of the Capital Stocks of the Midland Railway Company, and also the Capital of certain other companies, in respect of which that Company has guaranteed the payement of interest, or Dividends, or Rent Charges, so far as such scheme relates to or affects the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway Company."
Extract from KWVR minutes. |
| 02/03/1886 |
The Clerk read a letter received by him from the Midland Railway Company respecting footbridge at Haworth Station. It was resolved that the Clerk write the company acknowledging the receipt of the letter and say that in the event of any accident happening the Board having brought the matter before their attention consider they will be freed from all blame.
Extract from Haworth Local Board of Health Minute book |
| 31/12/1886 |
| Section 31 of the Midland Railway Act 1886 the K&WVR Co was dissolved, Midland bought the Railway. |
| 06/11/1892 |
| A new route on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway was opened avoiding Vale Mill dam. Part of the route was the 75 yard Mytholmes tunnel. Photo here... |
| 09/05/1904 |
 Great Western Railway ‘City’ class 4-4-0 no 3440 ’City of Truro’was the first locomotive to achieve a recorded 100mph. The record was set from Plymouth to Paddington. |
| 01/01/1923 |
The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway which was owned and run by the Midland Railway became a branch of the London Midland and Scottish Railway.
Midland Railway still ran the trains but did not own the branch |
| 03/07/1938 |
| The world record was set for the fastest steam train. This was hauled by the LNER 4-6-2 A4 Class No 4468 locomotive Mallard. It ran between Grantham and Peterborough, and reached 126 miles an hour. |
| 01/01/1948 |
| The railways were nationalised. The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway was owned by British Rail. |
| 21/05/1949 |
| Damems railway station on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway was closed due to little use. |
| 20/12/1952 |
| Jenny Agutter was born. She starred in the The Railway Children, 1969/1970 EMI production which was filmed on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway |
| 23/05/1955 |
| The final Bradford, via Queeensbury, to Keighley train ran. |
| 01/09/1959 |
| The Transport Users' Consultative Committee considered the closure of the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway but deferred making any decision due to points put forward by Mayor of Keighley, Councillor H. Hammond and others. |
| 21/09/1959 |
| At a public hearing with the Mayor of Keighley, Councillor H. Hammond argued in the presence of British Rail, the case for keeping the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway open. Two years later the line closed. |
| 13/06/1960 |
| A diesel railcar service was introduced on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. |
| 30/12/1961 |
| Keighley and Worth Valley Railway was finally closed to passenger traffic. The last train a diesel multiple was the 11.15pm from Keighley, which carried about 150 passengers. |
| 24/01/1962 |
| A public meeting was held in Keighley Temperance Hall to discuss whether the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway could be run by a private group. |
| 01/03/1962 |
| Keighley & Worth Valley Railway Preservation Society was formally constituted. |
| 23/06/1962 |
| Keighley and Worth Valley Railway was closed to goods traffic. The Preservation Society ran a special train from Bradford Forster Square to Oxenhope, hauled by locomotive No. 43586. |
| 27/03/1963 |
| "The Reshaping of British Railways" commonly known as the Beeching Report was published. The "Beeching Axe" cut many lines but not the Worth Valley line which had already closed to passenger traffic on 30th December 1961. |
| 07/01/1965 |
Keighley & Worth Valley Railway began first stock movements by rail to Haworth. Locomotive 51218 was put on to the rails to become the first engine on the line for over two years.
Push and Pull records:
"A significant moment in the story of our Society and the first blow to those pessimistic locals who have said: "Tha'll never 'ave trains runnin up t'valley again". |
| 31/07/1965 |
| Keighley & Worth Valley Railway began second stock movements by rail. Locomotive No. 4744 was used. |
| 28/08/1965 |
| Keighley & Worth Valley Railway Preservation Society held an Open Day at Haworth Station to promote the railway. |
| 08/02/1966 |
| The Keighley & Worth Valley Light Railway Limited was incorporated. The company took over the final stages of negotiations with British Rail to purchase the entire line at a cost of £45,000. The exception was platform Four at Keighley Station which was leased for 25 years. |
| 18/03/1967 |
 Keighley & Worth Valley Railway locomotive Ivatt No. 41241 arrived at the Railway, having been purchased from British Rail. |
| 25/03/1968 |
| The BBC arrived at the Worth Valley Railway and spent 10 days filming the television serial of The Railway Children. |
| 29/06/1968 |
Keighley & Worth Valley Railway "Re-opening special" departed Keighley at 2.35pm behind Ivatt No.41241 and USA No.72 after Mayor of Keighley, Aderman J.H. Waterworth and other invited guests performed the re-opening ceremony. This heralded the start of the KWVR Preservation Society.
British Rail ran no trains due to industrial work-to-rule by the National Union of Railwaymen.
KWVR celebrating 40 years here...
KWVR celebrating 35 years here... |
| 04/08/1968 |
| Steam locomotive 4-6-0 No. 45212 was the last locomotive to haul a BR passenger train in normal service. This locomotive is now owned by the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. |
| 21/12/1970 |
| The film “The Railway Children” was premiered in London. |
| 17/03/1972 |
| The name "Hamburg" was restored to locomotive 31 at Haworth in a ceremony performed by Herr Uwe Jens-Janson of Hamburg. The nameplates were originally removed from the locomotive after demonstrations by dockers in Salford on the outbreak of World War 1. |
| 12/01/1973 |
| Locomotive No. 1931 (renamed 90733) arrived back in Hull from Sweden and was offloaded at Ingrow the following day. About locomotive 90733 here... |
| 08/08/1985 |
| Diesel Class 47 421 was named Brontes of Haworth at Haworth Station. |
| 27/12/1985 |
| Official ceremonial unveiling of the nameplate on Locomotive Bellerophon was performed at Keighley and Oxenhope stations. |
| 17/08/1988 |
| BR Class 31 diesel locomotive No 31444 was named The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway at a ceremony at Keighley station. |
| 22/07/1989 |
Ingrow Station officially re-opened by Geoffrey Reeday "whose generosity made it happen."
|
| 12/04/1994 |
Bob Cryer died in a road traffic accident. He was one of a group of local people who formed the Keighley and Worth Valley Preservation Society, becoming the society's first chairman from 1962 - 1972.
He was Labour Member of Parliament for Keighley from 1974 - 1983 and Bradford South from 1987 - 1994.
Inscribed at Haworth station:
Whose idea it was....
"If you seek his memorial, look around you." |
| 13/10/1998 |
| Contractors working for Yorkshire Water plc on the main A629 trunk road dislodged bricks from Ingrow tunnel. This caused severe disruption to train services. |
| 07/02/2002 |
Lord Ingrow, formerly John Aked Taylor died. He was the grandson of Timothy Taylor, founder of the Keighley brewery.
He was involved with the re-building of Ingrow station. |
| 23/07/2007 |
Following extensive restoration W.D Austerity 2-8-0 90733 officially re-entered traffic. The official launch here...
|
| 08/08/2007 |
| The Keighley and Worth Valley Light Railway carried its five millionth passenger. |
| 15/10/2007 |
Ralph Povey died. He was a founder member and became President of the Keighley and Worth Valley Preservation Society 1978 - 1999.
Inscribed at Haworth station:
Whose quiet genius inspired the saving of this railway for future generations
"...all things are possible for those who believe" |
| 05/06/2008 |
DRS Class 37 diesel locomotive No 37087 was named The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway 40th Anniversary 1968 – 2008 at a ceremony at Oxenhope station.
Photos of the KWVR 40th Anniversary here... |
| 11/11/2008 |
| WD Austerity locomotive No. 90733 was officially named "Remembrance - Lest we Forget" in a ceremony of dedication and remembrance at Keighley station led by Canon Bruce Grainger and representatives from the British Legion, both serving and retired military and railway servicemen. |
|
|
|
|
