KWVR NEWS AND UPDATES

[xotGD]

Hopefully the 20 and 14 double heading since it’s rail 200 day

I'm not a fan of random pairings like that. The dissimilar sounds from the two locos just mush together.

 

[sprinterguy]

A few updates:

The Class 37075 confirmed has having an earth fault but no flashover and the owners are looking to repair the loco, but this will take some time as the power unit needs removing.

The Standard 4 society has disbanded, with 75078 & 78022 being handed over to the KWVR proper.

The former Royal Oak pub opposite Haworth station has been purchased by the railway. The upper floor will become offices to save the railway renting offices, commercial plans are being drawn up for downstairs, but for planning purposes it remains designated a pub…

The railway has had a good year for fares and catering sales, with them being up £200k in the first 6 months of the year, but whether that converted to increased ‘profit’ after inflation and increased costs, who knows? The Railway Children event and diesel gala have proved popular.

[Source KWVR Push & Pull magazine]

Membership remains inexpensive, fantastic value and includes 3 ‘free’ day rover tickets, so pays for itself. If you can become a member please do. (I have no relationship with the railway beyond being a regular visitor and member).

That's an interesting update all round, thanks for sharing. May the KWVR continue to go from strength to strength, it's one of my favourite preserved lines. I will watch developments regarding the Royal Oak with interest.

Glad I had the opportunity to experience the class 37 on the Beer and Diesel day back in May. Didn't realise at the time that'd be my last opportunity for a little while.

 

[xotGD]

Another couple of snippets from "Push & Pull":

Taff Vale 85 has been withdrawn from traffic - a couple of faults and it is almost at the end of it's 10 year certificate.

Bahamas has been withdrawn from traffic for overhaul.

Anyone wondering why one of the suburban coaches has been painted a different colour to the rest - I didn't appreciate that this is an authentic early BR colour, and the plan is to paint all of the suburban coaches this colour. I thought it was undercoat!

 

[HertiageFan]

Another couple of snippets from "Push & Pull":

Taff Vale 85 has been withdrawn from traffic - a couple of faults and it is almost at the end of it's 10 year certificate.

Bahamas has been withdrawn from traffic for overhaul.

Anyone wondering why one of the suburban coaches has been painted a different colour to the rest - I didn't appreciate that this is an authentic early BR colour, and the plan is to paint all of the suburban coaches this colour. I thought it was undercoat!

I got 85 on it’s penultimate day, it’s one of my favourite locos and will be out for a while (I was told)

 

[xotGD]

I got 85 on it’s penultimate day, it’s one of my favourite locos and will be out for a while (I was told)

Presumably it joins the back of the overhaul queue.

 

[30907]

Anyone wondering why one of the suburban coaches has been painted a different colour to the rest - I didn't appreciate that this is an authentic early BR colour, and the plan is to paint all of the suburban coaches this colour. I thought it was undercoat!

I was startled by the gloss finish as my limited memories are from the very end of the brick-red era (and wooden-bodied stock!).

 

[alexl92]

Another couple of snippets from "Push & Pull":

Taff Vale 85 has been withdrawn from traffic - a couple of faults and it is almost at the end of it's 10 year certificate.

Bahamas has been withdrawn from traffic for overhaul.

Anyone wondering why one of the suburban coaches has been painted a different colour to the rest - I didn't appreciate that this is an authentic early BR colour, and the plan is to paint all of the suburban coaches this colour. I thought it was undercoat!

Re 85- hopefully whenver it returns, it'll do so in time to join TVR 28 when that returns at the Gwili, whenever that may be.

That does answer the question about the Suburban, I was wondering. That's an interesting strategy though; until now the subs have blended in with the rest of their stock in mixed rakes.

 

[HertiageFan]

I was hoping 28 and it could double head at the steam gala but I don’t know about TVR 28s status

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Sep 2025 ==

Maybe we could see 85 in another livery when it’s back (eventuall)

 

[xotGD]

The 8F, 48305, left on Wednesday, heading back home to the Great Central.

 

[HertiageFan]

I heard that 5820 is getting an overhaul, is that true?

 

[Gwr12345]

I heard that 5820 is getting an overhaul, is that true?

Yes, work has been undergoing for a while now.

 

[HertiageFan]

Yes, work has been undergoing for a while now.

I was told on a shed your tour that they were considering overhauling it

 

[xotGD]

An interesting lash-up has just rolled in to Keighley:

D0226, a Weltrol(?), a brake van and a Mark 1 coach.

 

[D6130]

An interesting lash-up has just rolled in to Keighley:

D0226, a Weltrol(?), a brake van and a Mark 1 coach.

Is this Civils Week on the KWVR? Perhaps the carriage was a portable mess room for the P. Way volunteers....to enable them to shelter from today's torrential rain while eating their butties.

 

[xotGD]

Is this Civils Week on the KWVR? Perhaps the carriage was a portable mess room for the P. Way volunteers....to enable them to shelter from today's torrential rain while eating their butties.

Yes, it has been Civils Week. You'd think that the track gang would have bagged themselves the Jubilee Bar!

 

[D6130]

Yes, it has been Civils Week. You'd think that the track gang would have bagged themselves the Jubilee Bar!

Nah....that's too posh for them! The management wouldn't want their muddy boots all over the carpet!

 

[YorkshireBear]

Yeah civils week, it had been stabled in Haworth platform all week. Loco and weltrol were for other work, carriage as a messing facility.

Track renewal completed carrying on from Bridge 27 last year.

 

[HertiageFan]

Any ideas which black 5 will be visiting for the festive season since 45212 has been taken out of traffic

 

[xotGD]

Any ideas which black 5 will be visiting for the festive season since 45212 has been taken out of traffic

It looked like 45212 failed on the East Lancs today.

You never know, we might see something other than a Black 5.

 

[Iskra]

It looked like 45212 failed on the East Lancs today.

You never know, we might see something other than a Black 5.

What’s preventing the Std 4 from working? Is there a specific reason why an external loco is required?

 

[YorkshireBear]

What’s preventing the Std 4 from working? Is there a specific reason why an external loco is required?

Having more than one large engine at your busiest time of year I suspect.

 

[HertiageFan]

What’s preventing the Std 4 from working? Is there a specific reason why an external loco is required?

Maintenance I presume (there’s seven days straight of working)

 

[xotGD]

The 20 is rostered for the Diesel and Ale Day.

Standard 2 on the other set.

 

[HertiageFan]

The 20, 14 and steam TBC for beer and music festival

 

[thejuggler]

I've seen a friend this evening who is involved in local politics and he told me of a paper at a Bradford council committee today.

It appears KWVR have potentially secured up to £5m from Levelling Up Fund to undertake major improvements:

Reopen Keighley signal box and resignal to provide an extra block. With three blocks, rather than two, it will allow double running on days where there is currently only one loco running.

The additional service will be a DMU, put this will put pressure on DMU units, so a new DMU storage and maintenance shed will be built.

Work to improve Oxenhope headshunt.

Relevant paragraphs;





Report link

https://bradford.moderngov.co.uk/documents/g8625/Public%20reports%20pack%2002nd-Oct-2025%2010.30%20Executive.pdf?T=10

If this gets over the line it will be an exciting and busy few years ahead.

 

[YorkshireBear]

This was announced a long time ago but seems to be taking forever to get confirmed, previous government so well over a year.

 

[30907]

Reopen Keighley signal box and resignal to provide an extra block. With three blocks, rather than two, it will allow double running on days where there is currently only one loco running.

Double running is no problem where there is demand, as we have had Damems Junction loop in operation for some 50 years
It will specifically allow the use of platform 3 (and the complex movements involved when it is in use) under the full protection of fixed signals. It will be welcomed on event days (not least by the signallers stood out in the open all day, I imagine!).

Proper storage for the DMU fleet (and any future additions?) instead of having it stood outside is a no-brainer for the sake of passengers as well as staff

The work at Oxenhope allows shunt moves within the yard without blocking the running line - ISTR an early plan was for an additional signalbox at Haworth Loop instead.

 

[thejuggler]

This was announced a long time ago but seems to be taking forever to get confirmed, previous government so well over a year.

As it appears to involve securing public grants to part fund the work it is not surprising it takes months to go through a process. We've also had an election and change of govenment which always disrupts the day to day running of none essential government activity.

 

[xotGD]

(and any future additions?)

Hopefully resurrecting the 108 will take priority, rather than acquiring a 150 or something equally awful.

 

[Iskra]

Hopefully resurrecting the 108 will take priority, rather than acquiring a 150 or something equally awful.

Agreed, but you’d think between the 101, 144 and Railbus that they would have enough options already. If they preserve any sprinter, a 153; or a 155 or 158 in WYPTE livery would be the best options in my opinion, but will they have room for another unit?