KWVR Old Parcels Office

[wellhouse]

For this weekend's Steam Gala, KWVR have reopened The Old Parcels Office bar at Keighley Station. (Taylors Landlord and Saltaire Blonde on hand pumps)

Just this weekend for the time being, but they hope to be open again on a regular basis before long

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Food available too!

 

[sprinterguy]

A welcome return, it's a handy outlet for a decent pint when traveling on the railway, especially on gala weekends.

Hadn't realised it was initially reopening just for the Steam Gala weekend, I hope it won't be too long before it becomes a more permanent fixture again.

 

[Iskra]

I shall be visiting tomorrow for the good value food

 

[30907]

I shall be visiting tomorrow for the good value food

Hope to see you on the train too

 

[Iskra]

Hope to see you on the train too

A lot is going to depend on the weather now, just got back to hilly Sheffield and it is starting to get bad now, so I'll see what it's like in the morning and make a decision then.

 

[YorkshireBear]

I was under the impression this was it reopening while trains were running, not just for the gala.

 

[magpiespy]

A lot is going to depend on the weather now, just got back to hilly Sheffield and it is starting to get bad now, so I'll see what it's like in the morning and make a decision then.

I had breakfast in the Old Parcel Office today. Signage suggested it will be open when trains are running this year. As for the weather, it added to the experience for me today.

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Photo shows Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Ironclad at Keighley in the snow

 

[Iskra]

I was under the impression this was it reopening while trains were running, not just for the gala.

That’s good!

I just tried driving to the main road it isn’t happening due to 4 inches of snow everywhere. Might try again later.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Mar 2023 ==

I had breakfast in the Old Parcel Office today. Signage suggested it will be open when trains are running this year. As for the weather, it added to the experience for me today.

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View attachment 130565
Photo shows Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Ironclad at Keighley in the snow

Yes, I can imagine the weather will produce some great shots for those that can get there.

I feel sorry for those manning the braziers for the steam loco's tonight as it's supposed to drop down to -6!

 

[YorkshireBear]

It's a blessing and a curse, it will be beautiful, but equally it will massively impact the profitability of the event for the KWVR.

 

[Iskra]

It's a blessing and a curse, it will be beautiful, but equally it will massively impact the profitability of the event for the KWVR.

It is, I do feel sorry for them. I suppose they could amend the timetable for today to cater for reduced demand which would at least save some coal.

 

[30907]

It is, I do feel sorry for them. I suppose they could amend the timetable for today to cater for reduced demand which would at least save some coal.

They didn't (apart from cancelling the goods train and one Ingrow shuttle). Loadings picked up quickly from mid morning (the sun helped) and trains were comfortably busy. Today they were heaving!

 

[Iskra]

They didn't (apart from cancelling the goods train and one Ingrow shuttle). Loadings picked up quickly from mid morning (the sun helped) and trains were comfortably busy. Today they were heaving!

That’s good to hear! I did see some footage of some very busy trains yesterday, I guess today will be similar now the weather has eased.

 

[xotGD]

That’s good to hear! I did see some footage of some very busy trains yesterday, I guess today will be similar now the weather has eased.

It was full and standing for the pair of Jubilees. Only just enough space to make it to the bar and back!

 

[74A]

Sounds nice. Is it the only bar on a steam railway ?

 

[magpiespy]

Sounds nice. Is it the only bar on a steam railway ?

Both trains have a bar as well, and there are unlicensed cafes at a couple of other stations. You will not go hungry or thirsty as a visitor. It was my first visit, and I was blown away by how well kept it is and how much of (railway) interest there is at every station I visited (all but Damems which is a short halt for walkers). I did the escortedmshed tour at Haworth - a bargain at £5 for the best part of an hour - and can highly recommend a visit.

 

[Ianigsy]

Part of the joy of Damems is in boarding or alighting from the largest possible train, at least a double-header.

The queue at Keighley when the bar carriage stopped right opposite the gents had to be seen to be believed- I think the tea bar was overwhelmed as well, as by about 12.30 there was a single cheese and onion sandwich left!

After a while I decided to put comfort first and did a few legs in the L & Y club carriage.

 

[Iskra]

Part of the joy of Damems is in boarding or alighting from the largest possible train, at least a double-header.

The queue at Keighley when the bar carriage stopped right opposite the gents had to be seen to be believed- I think the tea bar was overwhelmed as well, as by about 12.30 there was a single cheese and onion sandwich left!

After a while I decided to put comfort first and did a few legs in the L & Y club carriage.

Damems is best for guaranteed connection onto the other service so you can cover the locomotives faster and stay on the bit of line with the most interesting gradient in my opinion where you get the best sounds (out of Keighley and through Ingrow tunnel after departure).

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It was full and standing for the pair of Jubilees. Only just enough space to make it to the bar and back!

As long as you got there, that’s the main thing

 

[30907]

It was full and standing for the pair of Jubilees. Only just enough space to make it to the bar and back!

And the travelling ticket collector could scarcely get through to check tickets

 

[xotGD]

And the travelling ticket collector could scarcely get through to check tickets

Far from it - we were gripped on multiple occasions!

Sounds nice. Is it the only bar on a steam railway ?

I don't know if any other railway has the bar out of a pub, so it may be unique.

 

[30907]

Far from it - we were gripped on multiple occasions!

Of course, I did my best - I assume you were on the set with the Jubilee Bar.

 

[philthetube]

Sorry if I have got this wrong but dosem.t the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch have one.

 

[xotGD]

Of course, I did my best - I assume you were on the set with the Jubilee Bar.

Yes, on that set for most of the day.

Back to the Old Parcels Office, someone mentioned that they don't do food to take away. Seems like a missed opportunity when people might just want to grab something between moves to eat on the train.

 

[30907]

Yes, on that set for most of the day.

Back to the Old Parcels Office, someone mentioned that they don't do food to take away. Seems like a missed opportunity when people might just want to grab something between moves to eat on the train.

I don't think they are (yet) geared up for it - I asked on Saturday lunchtime and was told food would take 15-20 minutes.
The ordinary platform buffet doesn't have hot food but the refurbished one at Oxenhope can now do so - I notice the website hasn't been updated so it may not be on offer every day.