Yes, once again it was time for the annual pilgrimage to Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, this time with a few guys to 'bash' what traction we could.
I had got the Friday off from work, and so had my work mate Dave, the weather was set to be hot and with the traction booked for the event, the day was looking good!
So after a bit of confusion at Leeds railway station where Dave and myself ended up on separate trains at the same time due to an old lady asking for directions from the bus driver of the bus I was on into Leeds city centre (long story), we eventually made it into Keighley at just after 10am...
Here 33103 rumbles into a roasting Keighley station as we arrived...
33103 was coupled to 31466, together they filled the station with fumes...awesome. Here 31466 waits to be uncoupled from the coach stock...
It was now time to get some traction, that would come courtesy of 33103 returning to Oxenhope (the last stop on the line) on its own power. Here Dave trying avoid getting in the way of my camera at stunningly hot Oxenhope...
It was now time for visiting loco 50026 and KWVR's Class 20 - 20031 (the beast) to make an appearance. Here they are running around the coaching stock at Oxenhope...
So now back down the line to Keighley, hauled by the above monsters which sounded particularly good in the morning calm of the Worth Valley.
Then it was time for a few more photo's, here John, Dave and Dan enjoying the glorious sunshine at Keighley's picnic area...
John, me and Dan...
Me and Dave...
Well it seemed that 50026 was not quite herself on the day, and blew a traction motor when hauling us out of the steep bend from Keighley Station. It was a shame, but at least we got haulage from it from Oxenhope - even if that is downhill. 50026 failed Saturday morning too apparently, but was rescued by the end of the day, and went onto do a couple of runs Saturday evening, and all day Sunday!
Here Dan enjoying the replacement haulage...
The only hoover working properly on the day...
Everyone enjoying the atmosphere of the Bar Car...
Enjoying this beautiful line...
K.W.V.R's latest buy, 37075 coupled up to 31466 at a baking Oxenhope...
We got off at Haworth for the famous fish & chips (which some would say is the law to eat on a gala). By now the afternoon sun was reaching its maximum temprature of 27 degrees!...
33103 and K.W.V.R's very own 25059 rattle into Haworth...
However we waited for 31466, and quickly becoming favourite loco of the day 37075 coupled to it, to take us back to Keighley...
Despite the times being messed up because of the failure of 50026, the staff at K.W.V.R did magnificently well to keep the gala as good as it was. Here waiting for the coupling up of 37075 that would take us back up the line to Oxenhope...
37075 growling away up front...
37075 was totally thrashed up the line to Oxenhope, probably one of the best experiences ever behind a 37. Hats off to the driver!!!
Here 37075 heads back to Haworth shed for the night, ready for Saturdays fun...
So by this stage it was 18:30, and the next train back wasn't until 19:30 which was to be hauled by 25059. After enjoying some real ale at Oxenhope we made the return, and last run of the day to Keighley.
Here Dave and John having a discussion...
Well, what a day, easily the best Keighley and Worth Valley Railway Diesel Gala I've been to. It was a shame that 50026 failed, but 37075 made up for that. And with that being K.W.V.R's very own loco, I'm looking forward to future events!
I'll leave you with this video of 50026 failing with us being hauled behind it, watch out for the traction motor blowing out in a flash, shaking the loco. Yes it was us with the air horns you can hear at the beginning of the video!...
1 comment:
...awesome! ~ power! ~ woW! ~ what a journey!...
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