50 YEARS of the revived Keighley & Worth Valley Railway were celebrated in style with a re-enactment of the line's re-opening in 1968.
The locomotive Ivatt 2-6-2T no 41241 steamed out of the heritage line's Keighley station this afternoon, (June 29) just as the original did five decades ago.
On board its carriages were invited guests – mostly long-standing railway volunteers – and others who have dedicated time and effort over the years to keeping the railway going.
A spokesman for the K&WVR said: "We really owe each and every one of them a debt of thanks."
Earlier in the day the attraction welcomed its rail partners GB Railfreight, in the form of a Class 66 locomotive.
The spokesman added: "The Class 66s have become the mainstay of UK Freight operations. We're very proud that one has now been named after our railway – 'Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. 50th Anniversary 1968-2018.'
"The railway has a strong tradition of naming locomotives, as a class 37 was named at our 40th anniversary. This very much followed in that tradition."
Among those attending today's event was Keighley town mayor Councillor Fulzar Ahmed.
He said: "I was very honoured and privileged to be present at this historic occasion, 50 years after the first train on the re-opened railway was sent off by the mayor of what was then Keighley Borough.
"The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway brings money into Keighley and I was pleased to see how many young people are involved with volunteering on the line.
"The attraction does bring in a lot of young talent, which ensures knowledge and skills are being passed onto the next generation."
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