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KWVR February Steam Gala

Discussion in 'Galas and Events' started by conireland, Nov 2, 2009.

  1. blackfive

    blackfive Member

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    Right, although I've seen it often enough I'd forgotten that Oakworth had a token instrument.
    Even if shunting there wasn't an option, you could put a short freight (or indeed a short passenger) inside freeing up the loop for full line trains to cross. That would take less time than running to the loop and back has been done with demo freights in the past.
    One question; I know it can't be used for passenger trains but is Haworth loop usable for freight?
     
  2. KieranPilsworth

    KieranPilsworth Member

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    Im not quite sure how you mean, as in run kly-Oak? and then lock in.
    Or run from Oxenhope - Oak?
     
  3. blackfive

    blackfive Member

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    I was thinking Keighley to Oakworth rather than Keighley to Damems Loop for the demonstration freight run during the day. Lock the freight in at Oakworth while the next two passenger trains cross then either run back to Keighley or perhaps continue up to Haworth loop. It could return to Keighley with another lock in at Oakworth. Doing it that way would minimise the interference with other trains including Ingrow shuttles.
    Continuing to Haworth loop would mean that it could be done with one loco. Returning to Keighley direct from Oakworth it would need to be top and tail.
    Just a thought!
     
  4. KieranPilsworth

    KieranPilsworth Member

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    The Damems Loop - Oxenhope token would still be active with a train in the section at Oxenhope (Oxenhope station is still in section, unlike Keighley that has sepearate station limits allowing trains to be at Keighley but another can be running say at Ingrow)

    So running to Oakworth would mean less trains, as you wouldnt be able to have a train at the top end of the line.
     
  5. blackfive

    blackfive Member

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    But surely, once the train had been locked into the siding at Oakworth you could return the Loop - Oxenhope token into the machine at Oakworth station thus allowing another to be withdrawn from the machine in the box at the loop for the next Oxenhope bound passenger train?
    If there's a machine available at Haworth loop the same could happen there and the goods run round and turn back there rather than going up to Oxenhope and blocking the loop.
    I should add that I know very little about signalling so may be spouting rubbish!
    Just trying to come up with something that would be a little different...
     
  6. KieranPilsworth

    KieranPilsworth Member

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    Thats no problem, I just hope that it makes sense how I explain things.

    On any "normal" two train service there is a train at Oxenhope and a train at Keighley. When a train arrives at Keighley if the limits are open, then another train can run between Keighley and Damems Junction whilst he first train sits at Keighley.

    This cannot happen at Oxenhope as it does not have any Station limits.

    So say this other train from Kly was a freight, then if you ran through to Oakworth you'd have 2 trains in section (BIG NO NO NO!)
    So this is why it runs to Damems Jcn only.

    Haworth loop isnt in action and only 1 set of point work at the time, and even then there is no signalling in place for it as this is a project that is on hold simply for monetry reasons . . like anything else!
     
  7. 46236

    46236 Well-Known Member

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    And there is the 'rub'. having lived on the 'railway children' fame for 40 years, a total signalling scheme has been ignored. Other lines have put signalling in place, but the KWVR has not found it possible to effect this. Even on busy gala days the pointsman at Keighley has to endure the vagaries of the weather with not even a hut to stand in. Time to remedy the situation?
     
  8. Orion

    Orion Well-Known Member

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    I was wondering when this would be mentioned; I find myself fully agreeing. At the 40th anniversary bash I joined the KWVR. I quickly found that every issue of 'Push-Pull' had at least one reference to the 'Railway Children' often enough more. But nothing else seemed to happen; there were very few references to future plans and yet there is so much to do. Other railways of the KWVR's age, and younger, have finished their infrastructure projects or are busy extending, but the KWVR has so much to do still. In spite of this there is so little activity. The railway lives in its past.

    I'm no longer a KWVR member. Three months or so ago I received my last 'Push-Pull' and I expected to find in it a renewal form. Not so. I waited, I'm still waiting, for any recognition that my subs haven't been paid; there is none.

    I think the KWVR needs to find a purpose, a sense of its future. The railway has a deeply ingrained 'can't do' attitude as can be seen from the posts in this thread. It needs to change to a 'can do' culture and do so soon.

    Sorry if this offends

    Regards
     
  9. Robert Heath No.6

    Robert Heath No.6 Well-Known Member

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    Funnily enough, I've often thought the opposite - the kwvr gala format works and works well! Some of the best galas I've been to have been kwvr steam and diesel galas.
     
  10. blackfive

    blackfive Member

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    Right, got it! Now I understand. We'll just have to wait until Haworth Loop is fully signalled and then this sort of thing will be a possibility.
    I knew it would be me getting it wrong...

    Now then, having just read other posts, I really can't let the one that mentions a 'can't do attitude' go without comment and say that hasn't ever been my impression. A realistic attitude to what is possible or wise, yes but not a instant response of no! The railway always seems to me to be open to suggestions, it's just that, like mine made from a position of little knowledge, they can be impractical.
    And you can't blame the railway for using the Railway Children. After all, it is Joe Public that fills the trains and the Railway Children connection does bring them to the railway.
     
  11. so where are we supposed to extend to?
     
  12. David Ward

    David Ward Well-Known Member

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    I think that's unfair on KWVR, and i write this as a working member of another line, not KWVR. They have got an excellent 'can do' attitude, and developments of the last 15-20 years may not be as dramatic as on some lines but they are there alright and very important in bringing the line up the high standard it is now. A few examples;

    Haworth shed/workshops- most work takes place undercover and locos are stored undercover most of the time when not in steam.

    Oxenhope C&W Workshop- stone cladding to previously corrugated steel structure, making stations appearance much improved to the visitors.

    Oxenhope Carriage shed- facility to store most of line's coaching stock undercover, keeping the appearance of the stock smarter for a longer time period.

    Oxenhope display shed- enables out of service fleet to be safely stored undercover and viewed by public- many years before a lot of other lines had such a facility

    Haworth Yard- good quality staff Accommodation hostel- looking after the workforce rather than 'a tatty Mk3 sleeper rusting away in a siding.'

    Immaculate, well restored stations.

    That's to name just a few- maybe KWVR has sensibly laid a solid foundation of important features to build upon, which ensure a very smart well run railway to the general public and good facilities to work on the infrastructure, rather than outstretching itself on not immediately necessary elaborate schemes.

    I'm sure an improved signaling scheme will come, just a case of when money permits but I think the management have got a lot of their priorities spot on and it is one of the smartest, best kept railways in appearance that I know of as a result.

    Oh and gala events- I've not been to the as often as I used to due to other commitments but I've always thoroughly enjoyed them- I cant think of many single track lines with such an intense service on one of these weekends, and with pints of draught real ale to boot, sometimes its good just to sit at Keighley and watch the intense shunting that goes on. Keep it up for the future lads and I'm sure the crowds that return year in year out want the same!
     
  13. twomanydjs

    twomanydjs New Member

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    I havent been to the railway for the last years due to work comments but as i know it the signalling system at Keighley is under construction and coming along slowly so it hasnt been ignored you just havent seen it

    and there is a few other projects quitly working away in the back ground that havent been publicly announced yet and so dont say its a railway thats not going anywhere because in a few years i think you'll be surprise.
     
  14. Steve

    Steve Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    I've just been reading this thread and understand the problem with the token and Oxenhope. However, a similar situation exists at Whitby and I just wonder why the same approach cannot be taken. It doesn't involve any signalling, only a stop board. Whitby station itself is permissive block and any train approaching Whitby must be prepared for another train to be in the platform. In practice, this never happens because the timetable doesn't allow it to. However, it does allow a train to be in the station, in station limits behind the stop board. Another train can be in the section running from Glaisdale to Grosmont (or vice versa) All this is simply controlled by the signalman at Nunthorpe and telephone instructions. For Nunthorpe, read Damems box, Glaisdale, read Damems and Grosmont read Oakworth or Haworth. It does need a token instrument at Oxenhope, though and I don't know if there is one; I can't see it mentioned previously but I may have missed it.
    Just a thought....
     
  15. Autocar

    Autocar New Member

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    I dont have much knowledge of the KWVR so wont attempt to agree or disagree.

    However, I would like to praise the gala organisers for coming on this forum and seeking people opinions and suggestions, and for giving explanations of why certain things are not possible and not just saying no.

    Ben
     
  16. Jeff Albiston

    Jeff Albiston Member

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    Any idea when 78022 is due to come back into steam???
     
  17. KieranPilsworth

    KieranPilsworth Member

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    This forum never amazes to suprise with the large amount of comments regarding very wide and ranging bits and bats of the lines use. So...Ill try and answer a few of them, and probably upset a few people (Ben?) with whats happening.


    It is true that the line has lived on the Railway Children brand for almost 40 years now, and 2010 marks the 40th Anniversary since the filming (1970-2010). For this the whole year is being branded as "A Railway Children Year" with lots of little events (A Railway Children weekend as an example) and a VERY IMPORTANT "other" that I cant yet tell you about!



    The February 2010 gala kick starts the year in terms of events, with the N2 having starred in the film, hence why the loco is a nice touch to a gala that would otherwise not have a link the the filming.



    In terms of Keighley Station Limits, the "current" project (Yes we do have them for those who doubt that we have any goals!) is to have Keighley signal box working to control ALL Keighley operations, including those on normal running days. Theres over 1000ft of rodding to go down alone for this, and it is expected to be on going for the next 5 - 8 years before been complete. This will mean a nice cosey box for the bobby to sit in and control the limits.

    Other projects are on going, but during the mean time it may seem like the Railway is sitting on its heels, but the WHOLE Railway is going through a re structuing programme as to the way it is run and managed, so funding for projects becomes easier. E.g a new diesel depot and a new L&Y shed in the future.

    We had a regular steam service on and off the mainline during our gala in June, and re created a Jubilee on the Aire Valley on a "regular service", who else had done something like this.
    We have a WD! The GWR engine projects that are underway get huge amounts of attention and applause from "us", the enthusiasts, but our WD didnt really get that much. Altho everyone at the GCR would tell you how welcome it was at their Railway.

    Our steam locomotives are known on all other Railways as been sound, ask the SVR/GCR who have had them. We have 4 engines under overhaul, 1 diesel loco under overhaul and a full DMU under overhaul (In answer to 78022 its next on the list, so once 75078 is finished (2012/12))


    I, presonally dont think we are doing too badly to say that only 4 staff are employed.
    Like ANY Railway, We have room to move and grow, but saying that we have a "cant do" attitude is unfair.

    After the 40th Gala when we had failures and problems running steam on the main, we recieved an email saying "haha knew you would fail" . . . June 27th 2009, at 09/35, 5690 left Keighley bound for Settle,

    ... we did it.



    So back to the Feb Gala, we're on the look out for another loco, soon to be announced!

    we're also looking into ways of having more local trains using the Suburban's, and more freights, possibly a pickup on friday (with passenger trains in front of it as asked) and also maybe the use of the Steam Crane.

    Anything else people have in mind?


    ...And David, nice to see you again at the weekend!
     
  18. Robert Heath No.6

    Robert Heath No.6 Well-Known Member

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    Any chance of Nunlow doing a freight turn? Would be nice to see an industrial doing (something similar to) what it was built for :)
     
  19. dmr

    dmr New Member

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    ii've always found the kwvr very professional and in terms of the overall experience with the musems and such like, it leaves other railways standing. i was at oxenhope early that morning during the 40th anniversary, and all you can say is the way in which it was dealt with and keeping people up to speed and still puting on a good service so people could still have a good day was exceptional.
    traveling from keighley to settle with 5690 leander one year on was also a fantastic experience and something i never thought would happen so how people can say they lack vision or ambition defies belief.

    as for the film some other versions of the railway children filmed elsewhere have been pants so i would of said the film owes a large part of its success to the railway and suggest that the railway is bigger than the film and owes its success to the hard work of everyone involved with running the line, and not a film.
     
  20. Autocar

    Autocar New Member

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