Meet thegeneralmanager
Erin Towey has been general manager of the KLR since July 2019, having joined the line two years previously as marketing manager.
Prior to that, she worked as an administration and purchasing coordinator at an international medical clinic in Singapore. Other previous roles have included faculty operations officer and executive assistant to the pro- vice- chancellor at Sheffield Hallam University – and PA and office manager to the managing director of planning at Transport for London.
Heritage Railway ( HR): The Kirklees Light Railway ( KLR) had a fantastic 2019, breaking previous passenger records. Howdid you get there?
Between 2017 and 2018, there was a skills gap in the team here at KLR inmarketing, and that showed in our visitor figures.
I originally joined the railway to fill that gap, before becoming general manager, and I put marketing plans in place that are beginning to take off. It takes time to see improvement in visitor numbers, and 2019 bore out the positive changesmade in 2018.
Kirklees is a family railway, and defining that as our core audience has helped us to tailor our offer tomeet their needs.
HR: How important do you think it is to keep adapting the railway’s offer to visitors?
Improving the experience of visitors is a key aim for us. Our railway does not receive financial support through a supporting charity or from large donors, so we have to fund developments ourselves.
This canmean projects take more time than at some other railways or attractions, but we have made huge strides in the last fewyears. Two new playgrounds have been built, our miniature railway has been relaid, rolling stock ismaintained to a high standard and we are continuing to introduce new events.
HR: Kirklees is one of the largest Day Out with Thomas locations in the UK. How important are these events to raising the railway’s profile, and recruiting the next generation?
Absolutely essential, on both fronts. They build huge awareness of the railway, which generates new audiences, who are then very likely to return in future. They generate good revenue, too. Thomas helps us to spark the interest of young, budding railway enthusiasts who we hope to convert into volunteers in later life.
HR: Can you tell us about any exciting developments planned for the future?
It will be a period of consolidation for us, after some large investments in visitor facilities over the last few years. We began running evening trains for adults with food and drinks last year, which we are keen to repeat.
Katie comes out of service at the end of this year for overhaul, and Fox is anticipated to return to service.
We say that when we do something, we want to do it well.
HR: Can readers get involved in the railway through volunteering? How do they get in touch?
Yes, just knock on the door! We do run a volunteer recruitment weekend, which people can attend to learn more, but potential volunteers can get in touch at any time by emailing info@ kirkleeslightrailway. com or calling 01484 865727. Volunteers must be over 16. There is a lot to do and get involved in– no pressure if it doesn’t feel right for you.
Tunnels on narrow gauge railways in the UK are rare, with examples on the Ffestiniog & WelshHighland the best known, though none match the sheer size of Woodhouse. Once in the middle, sheer darkness would prevail were it not for a small number of carriage lights. Loops at the halts of Skelmanthorpe and Cuckoo’s Nest allow for intense running on gala days, with trains departing ClaytonWest at a frequency whichmeans you can easily catch every locomotive without waiting for hours in remote locations.
Rover tickets are available at just £ 8 for an adult on the day, and are as low as £ 6 for over 60s booking in advance. This represents superb value, and is great for enticing return visitors. If a visit to a larger railway involves high costs for you, why not pop down to Kirklees for your steam fix?
Motive power
large locomotives in its working life, and KLR continues the tradition by hosting locomotives such as Romney’s Winston Churchill and Dr Syn, both constructed nearby by the Yorkshire Engine Company.
Events for all
railway photography, this was great for me as it included expert advice on how to use my new camera and got me into locations along the line normal visitors cannot access. Again, details can be found online.
Volunteers are a big part of the railway’s existence, though it is owned by and operated as a commercial business. Kirklees accommodates volunteers in its operations as guards and drivers, as well as in other roles. The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming, and encourages personal development, so may be the place for you if you are currently seeking a volunteering opportunity.
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