Three Days

at the Keighley & Worth Valley Autumn Steam Gala

In mid-October 2006 the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway held their usual Autumn Steam Gala. As in previous years, this was a three day event.

As this railway is one of the closest to my home I have in the past always tried to attend the two annual steam galas but only for one, occasionally two days, never all three.

This year was different as I had a friend from Germany staying with me making only his second visit to the line and he, quite naturally, wanted to do the lot!
I, on the other hand, wasn't so sure and felt that being very familiar with the railway, there was a definite danger of boredom setting in at some point in the proceedings!

The most important factor, of course, was the weather. Three wet and windy days at the lineside were not to be contemplated. Fortunately the weather was co-operative staying calm and dry throughout with plenty of sun after a misty start on the first day then just a little sun for the rest of the weekend but not enough to encourage droves of lineside photographers to come out to play!

An early start on day one, Friday 13th October 2006, got us to Keighley for the first train which, armed with 3 day rovers, we took up to Oakworth before walking back down to Damems Loop ready to record the first few trains.

For this event the railway had two visiting locos. One of these was the ex-SR King Arthur 30777 'Sir Lamiel' which had spent the Summer months working trains on the main line including the program of trains for the NRM between York and Scarborough. Unfortunately, while being prepared, the loco was found to have a leaking firebox crown stay and was unable to take part in the proceedings.

The other visitor was the LMS Jubilee 4-6-0 5690 'Leander', a loco I was very keen to get recordings of on the railway.
The absence of 30777 did have one positive side effect - more work for 5690, including this mid-morning train up from Keighley.
In this recording 5690 can be heard departing from Damems Loop and continuing it's journey to Oxenhope.

The next train from Keighley was the same set as the first train, the one that we had travelled to Oakworth on earlier, made up of 3 vehicles from the Vintage Carriages Trust hauled by the Lancashire & Yorkshire 0-6-0 957.
As the recording begins a Keighley bound train has already passed through Damems Loop where 957 is waiting.
With the road reset the 0-6-0 departs and sounds well on the gradient to Oakworth.

Late in the day I moved to Oakworth station to get a few recordings of trains departing. Well, actually the real reason for this choice of location was that, after the sun had set it began to get a little cold and there is usually a fire burning in the waiting room!
After a pleasant half hour chatting with the station master while keeping warm in the waiting room I went back to a spot just beyond the level crossing for the next train up from Keighley which was hauled by 5690.
As the recording begins 'Leander' can be heard restarting it's train from Damems Loop while the station master opens the level crossing gates ready for the train which stops in the station for a couple of passengers.
Once station duties are completed 5690 accelerates away from the station and climbs the gradient into Mytholmes Tunnel.

Day 2, Saturday 14th October 2006, began in a similar fashion to Day 1 with an early start to get the first train from Keighley to Oakworth to get a recording of the next train, a banked freight, at Damems Loop.
As this recording begins the train is waiting in the loop and has just got the road. The train engine, 80002, has to whistle twice before getting an answer from the banker, 47279, then the pair depart pulling and pushing their train of 10 wagons and a brake van up the gradient to Oakworth.

Later in the day I found myself back at Oakworth station, well, the previous day's recordings there had been quite successful!
The first train I was able to record there was double headed by 5690 with 41241 as pilot and in this recording the pair are heard departing and heading for the next stop at Haworth.

During galas the K&WVR usually try to run a few non-stop 'Express' trains and the next train through Oakworth was running non-stop from Keighley to Haworth.
This train on Saturday afternoon was in the hands of 80002 and can be heard accelerating after passing slowly through Damems Loop as this recording begins.
As the loco climbs the gradient towards Oakworth station it certainly sounds as though the Standard Tank's driver is doing his best to justify the 'Express' description!
After passing non-stop through the station the loco could be heard all the way through Mytholmes Tunnel to Haworth where the train made it's only stop on the journey to Oxenhope.
An excellent recording, perhaps the best one of the weekend - I've had far worse on the main line!

The Standard Tank's train heard in the last track wasn't the only non-stop train that day and we went to Damems station to record was another 'Express' train, rather a special one.
The loco was the Lancashire & Yorkshire 0-6-0 957 which was hauling two beautifully restored L&Y carriages.
As the train reaches the station the driver closes the regulator ready to enter the loop only a little way beyond.

Our final recording was made at Keighley station and was of 5690 departing for Oxenhope in the dark.
The initial start out of the platform is fairly gentle but, even so, the loco slips a little. However, once well on the move, the driver opens the regulator wider and 'Leander' makes a fine sound on the steep gradient away from the station. A couple more slips are soon controlled and the sound fades away as 5690 heads for Ingrow in good style.

The morning of Day 3, 15th October 2006, gave us the opportunity for a slightly later start, though not through choice, simply due to the paucity of public transport on a Sunday morning! This meant that we were unable to reach Keighley in time for the first train.
Another feature of steam galas on the K&WVR is the running of shuttle trains between Keighley and Ingrow, usually utilising vehicles from the Vintage Carriages Trust from their base at Ingrow.
Later on Sunday morning 957 makes a gratifyingly vigorous start out of the station with a light train of two vintages coaches.

During the afternoon I made a point of being at Oakworth station to record the 'Express'. Well, the previous recording of this train there had been so good, I hoped to make an equally good recording of Sunday's train especially as it was hauled by 'Leander'!
A little while before the train was due I spotted a couple of lineside photographers heading for my position. Now photographers can be a bit of a nuisance to a sound recordist, especially in pairs, as they have a nasty habit of talking, not something I want on my recordings! Fortunately I knew these two well and could count on them to co-operate, but then another turned up. I explained what I was doing and was a little surprised when he told me that, of course he would keep quiet as he enjoyed listening to my recordings on the net! How he knew who I was I have no idea, I didn't know him from Adam!
So far, so good but then another arrived, then another until I was almost surrounded. I had spoken to each of them as they arrived so, as it was too late to move, all I could do was cross my fingers and hope for the best.
Well, you can hear that I should have had more faith as you listen to this excellent recording of 5690 climbing from Damems Loop, passing Oakworth station and continuing into Mytholmes Tunnel while the photographers make not a sound.
Thanks chaps!

For our last recordings we went up to Haworth to make some recordings between there and Oxenhope.
The reason for the change of location was due to some of the late afternoon trains that came up from Keighley being double headed detaching the pilot engine at Haworth Loop before continuing single headed for the last part of the journey.
The first of these trains gave us another chance for a recording of the Jubilee working by itself.
As this recording begins the pilot, 41241 has already detached and run forward into the loop allowing 5690 to depart for Oxenhope.
And that was just about the end of recording for Day 3.
So, did boredom set in?
I should say not! With plenty of variety and good recording conditions I enjoyed every minute!