Anniversary lines celebrate as steam returns for summer
THE easing of the Covid- 19 lockdown has seen heritage railways big and small restart services– and three in particular have special reason to celebrate.
Theworld’s first two standard gauge heritage lines – the Middleton and Bluebell railways – both cancelled their 60th anniversary galas because of the Government restrictions. The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway ( KWVR) also postponed its event marking half a century since filming of one of the most popular family films of all time – The Railway Children – began on the line.
Heritage lines that have restarted in time for the high season undertook an enormous amount of preparation, not least of all running‘ ghost trains’ to ensure that train crews are up to speed, in accordance with Office of Rail& Road directives.
Landmark
As highlighted last issue, on June 20, ahandful of Middleton officials privately reran the opening train exactly 60 years to the day using the same locomotive, Hunslet 0- 6- 0DMJohn Alcock, celebrating its landmark as the first standard gauge heritage line to run publicservices. The railway proudly boasts that ithas operated trains every year since opening in 1758, as outlined in our special Middleton Milestones feature on pages 72- 77.
It subsequently restarted its services on Sunday, August 2, running trains hourly between 11am and 4pm to allow for cleaning in between trips.
The first train was scheduled to be wave doff by local councillor Kim Groves, also chairman of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee.
Until further notice, Middleton trains are running only on Sundays and bank holiday Mondays, and because of limited space, all trains should be pre- booked via middletonrailway.org.uk/ Face masks must be worn at all times when travelling.
On August 7, 1960, the Bluebell Railway became the first section of the BR network to reopen as a heritage line – and restarted its public services 60 years to the day.
To publicise the reopening, the railway produced a reopening film featuring television actor and presenter Martin Clunes, focusing on the Covid- 19 safety measures now inplace. The video can be seen on YouTube.
Bluebell marketing manager Ruth Rowatt said: “We wanted to create something similar to the British Transport Films of the 1950s. We were so thrilled when Martin Clunes said he would help. He is a great actor and he brought just the right tone and style – seriously amusing!
We can’t thank him enough.”
August 7’ s first passenger train after the 20- week lockdown closure was to comprise compartment carriages that had been pre- booked for individuals, households or linked households to use. Passengers were asked to wear face coverings in public places such as on the platforms, in the museum and SteamWorks! and when boarding or alighting from the trains, while observing two- metre social distancing. Space to enable social distancing was provided in the dining carriages.
Blessing
The fully- bookedcomeback train, whichwas to carry the‘ Pioneer’ headboard, was timed to depart from Sheffield Park at 9 am, following a blessing by railway chaplain the Reverend David Murdoch, vicar of St Giles Church, Horsted Keynes, and ashort speech by Chris Hunford, chairman of Bluebell Railway plc. Chris also announcing details of the line’s major celebrations to be held in 2021, following the postponement of the planned three- day anniversary event this August.
A special guest, tobe announced after we closed for press, was due to blow the whistle and wave the green flag to signal the departure of
the train. It was hoped that families of some of the founder members and some early members would be present.
Therewill be three service trains a day, plus up to four dining trains when running, initially weekends only. Tickets are pre- booked only, at www. bluebell- railway. com See also Just the ticket, News, page 26.
Following its £ 50,000 National Lottery Heritage Fund grant to complete the repairs on its 115- yearold Bridge 11, as reported last issue, the KWVR is aiming to restart services on August 19.
On July 23, a significant milestone was passed when all concreting work on the bridge was completed, leaving all the main civil engineering work finished.
The return journeys which include a 20- minute break at Keighley ( no access to the station from outside the railway) will depart from Oxenhope at 10am, 12pm, 2pm and 4pm every Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday until September 6 – plus bank holiday Monday, August 31. Prebooking is essential, by telephone on 01535 645214 or online at kwvr.co.uk/ back- in- steam/
The Oxenhope Exhibition Shed has been transformed into a spacious waiting room where visitors can see more engines up close, visit the pop- up shop, and enjoy refreshments from the cafe. However, the line’s usual cafes and shops will not be open.
As part of a strict social distancing regime, passengers will be welcomed into the Exhibition Shed on arrival at Oxenhope. The booked compartments will be called by number over the tannoy before its occupants can make their way to the platform. Staff will open the compartment doors and will greet passengers at the end of their journey, and a one- way system will be clearly marked out on the platform.
Charters
The Bahamas Locomotive Society’s Ingrow West workshop reopened to staff and volunteers on July 26. Its museum will reopen to the publicon August 15/ 16, when visitors will be offered free admission and while they will not be able tow alk around freely, can join a guided tour.
In conjunction with the KWVR, the society is to run a series of photographic charters behind LMS Jubilee 4- 6- 0 No. 45596 Bahamas in September along the railway. Itwill be the first time that Bahamas will have been in steam since its trip over the Settle and Carlisle line on February 22. Society chairman Keith Whitmore said: “Wedo look forward to seeing our friends and visitors again during the summer months, but please recognise that everything is not back to normal: we want to see everyone safe and happy while they are with us.”
➜ Many heritage lines including the East Lancashire, Epping Ongar, Llangollen, North Yorkshire Mo ors, Severn Valley and Talyllyn rail ways – to name but a few– were due to restart services on August 1, after we closed for press. For a full listing of heritage lines and museum venues now back in operation, see Gareth Evans’ Up and Running guide on pages84- 86. However, the national situation regarding the pandemic is changing by the day, soal ways check with your chosen destination before travelling.