VISITORS from across the country made tracks for Keighley at the weekend.

Crowds flocked to the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway (K&WVR) for its Winter Steam Gala.

Over half a dozen locomotives were in operation during the event, which ran from Friday until yesterday.

Among the star attractions was a steam engine which featured in a movie 35 years ago.

The 120-tonne British Railways Standard Class 4 locomotive 75078 was making its debut at the gala.

Early last month, the engine – which appeared in Yanks – successfully completed its first run in 16 years following an extensive refit.

Gala organiser Kieran Pilsworth said the event was a huge success and passengers had managed to avoid the worst of the weather.

"It was very busy – a great weekend," he said.

"There were a lot of families about, it wasn't just die-hard train fans.

"On some of the carriages there were very few seats remaining. The 75078 was extremely popular with people."

Following the success of the K&WVR's Autumn Steam Spectacular, the gala was again a home-fleet affair.

There were also tours of the Haworth locomotive works, trade displays and photo shoot opportunities.

Jim Shipley, of the K&WVR, said the steam galas appealed to a wide range of people.

"They used to be known as Enthusiasts' Weekends but they are very much events for family groups and not just for 'train spotters' – they have an extensive appeal and cater for everyone," he said.

"By all accounts it was extremely busy at the weekend, despite some pretty awful weather."

The event signals the start of a busy few months for the railway.

A special Railway Children Weekend takes place from May 2 to 4.

It will mark 45 years since the filming of the iconic movie on the five-mile line.

There will be a host of activities, including re-enactments.

The Railway Children movie, which starred Jenny Agutter and featured many local people as extras, catapulted the K&WVR to international fame.

Repeated showings on television still see a surge in visitors to the line.

Visit kwvr.co.uk or call 01535 645214 for further details.

* See Thursday's Keighley News for more photos from the steam gala