Visitors flock to Keighley & Worth Valley Railway spring steam gala

The event entered its fourth and final day today (Sunday), with rail enthusiasts continuing to travel in large numbers to locations including Haworth, Oakworth and Oxenhope.

Two former Great Western locomotives are among the star attractions and have worked in tandem on several trains, much to the delight of onlookers.

Pendennis Castle and Witherslack Hall are both making their first-ever passenger-hauling appearance on the five-mile line.

The locos, which spent their 'working lives' operating in south-west England and Wales, are being joined for the gala by a seven-strong line up of resident Keighley & Worth Valley locomotives.

Other attractions at the event include behind-the-scenes tours on the railway.

The event was held amid a mixed bag of weather conditions, with bright sunshine giving way to hail storms throughout Saturday. 

A spokesperson for the railway said there had been "many great moments" during the event. Oakworth proved to be a busy spot across the weekend, with visitors able to enjoy wood fired pizza in the yard to the side of the station building.

As ever, the sight of the level crossing gates being opened and shut evoked memories of the classic Railway Children film.

On the trains, passengers enjoyed a bar, where hand-pulled real ale was available. 

In Haworth, the yard outside the depot was a hive of activity as locomotives were prepared and shunted. A large collection of rail enthusiasts gathered on the bridge to watch the nostalgic scenes unfold. 

A freight demonstration train ran during the event, providing an interesting photo opportunity for those at the lineside. 

With the conclusion of the steam gala, attention will turn to the school holidays, with the railway set to run a series of 'Easter Express' trains over the coming weeks.

Trains will run every day from Monday, March 25 until April 7, with services expected to be busy during the period.

Planning is also well underway for the Diesel Gala, which will bring back memories of heritage machines that worked right from the end of steam up until recent memory – and in some cases, continue to do so.

The event will take place from Thursday, June 20 to Sunday, June 23.

Here are a selection of images to capture the atmosphere of the event, with many coming from T&A Camera Club members.

52044 is seen being pulled back down the hill with the goods train, just north of Damems. Taken on Friday 22nd March 2024 at the KWVR Steam Gala. (Image: Point and Shoot Photos: T&A Camera Club)

An atmospheric view of Haworth yard (Image: Graham Keegan: T&A Camera Club)

Steam crew at Damems Station (Image: Ralph Berry: T&A Camera Club)

Guest loco 'Pendennis Castle' makes and impressive start from the Damems passing loop on Saturday at the Worth Valley Spring Gala (Image: Ralph Berry: T&A Camera Club)

A double header during the steam gala (Image: Ray Spencer: T&A Camera Club)

A pair of Great Western engines in action at the gala (Image: Philip Roger Bailey: T&A Camera Club)

A lovely scene at Oakworth crossing (Image: .)

The weather was very mixed, as this picture in the hail at Oxenhope shows (Image: .)

The crowds at Oxenhope station (Image: T&A)