Dr Matt Stroh is K&WVR chairman. Visit the website kwvr.co.uk, follow Twitter @WorthValley Valley or Facebook at WorthValleyRailway

NEXT YEAR will be an exciting one for the railway.

We can look back on a 2014 when Santa tickets sold in record time, we had our best and busiest Beer and Music weekend ever, and we were able to launch into traffic a second iconic wartime engine, which meant we were able to host a dedication and commemoration service to mark a very poignant opening of the 1940s weekend.

I do hope that you can join us over the festive period as we run the Santa Specials between now and Christmas (pre-booking is essential, via the website) or when we run our Mince Pie Specials from Boxing to New Year's Day.

So what can we do in 2015 to better all that we have achieved in 2014?

Plans to improve the catering facilities at Oxenhope are well advanced and we are already opening the buffet carriage at Oxenhope during the day from Wednesdays to Fridays in anticipation of the new development.

We hope to be able to start work at Haworth on improving our workshops and to begin work that will allow us to open Keighley water tower to visitors for the first time.

Despite all that, we have not lost sight of our core activity and there should be two engines entering traffic next year after overhaul.

We are also going to be undertaking a skills survey with the railway's 5,000 members so that we can match projects with the right people. If you do have any experience or skill that would be of benefit to the railway, whether in engineering or administration, please do get in touch because there is so very much more we would like to do to help secure the railway's place as a premier heritage railway right in the heart of your community.

Local people are invited to buy Christmas presents from our shop at Haworth railway station, including the best in railway-themed calendars and Christmas cards.

Whether it is one of the latest railway books, DVDs, or the choice of latest model locos or rolling stock from Bachmann, Farish or Hornby. Santa knows where to come.

Santa fills his sack for the little ones with great railway toys for children. Lots of Thomas items as well as traditional wooden trains from Big Jigs.

From December 26 to January 4, the Mince Pie Specials aim to cheer up the family with a trip on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway.

Travel in our toasty, Yuletide carriages as our festive journey continues into the New Year. See our stunning stations transformed with an amazing Christmas display, real coal fires and gas lights, creating a magical glow as your train rolls in.

The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway is the only train service in West Yorkshire on Boxing Day.

Running from December 27 to March 1, our Winter Steam Spectacular is perfect for everyone, whether old or young, big or small. Up to nine different steam locomotives in action, vintage carriages, goods trains, express trains … plus your chance to get up close and have a look on the footplate.