WE ARE definitely feeling summer-like on the railway.
This is thanks both to the glorious weather (fingers crossed that remains between now and when you read these words!) but also because our summer series of events is really hotting up.
We have our ever-popular Haworth Haddock Saturday evening specials (the next one is on June 24) and our Keighley Korma on Saturday. If you need a beer to wash down the food, then we have the return of our Steam and Ale weekend on June 10 and 11, with a bar on every station as well as on-board for you to enjoy.
We are also running our heritage diesel locomotives on the last Saturday of each month, with the on-board bar supporting a local brewery: June 24 is Old Spot, Cullingworth; July 29 the Wishbone Brewery in Keighley; August 26 is Bradford’s Salamander Brewery; September 30 is the Leeds-based Sunbeam Brewery.
We’ve already enjoyed a day with the Nomadic Brewery, which does – despite its name – have a base in Leeds, and the Bingley Brewery from Wilsden.
If you need entertainment for younger members of the family, TV stars Chase and Marshall are visiting from Paw Patrol today, and I know my 18-month-old grandson is a real fan and looking forward to seeing them in ‘real life’ in just a few days’ time!
Whilst all our trains are elderly, with carriages in regular use that date back to the 1950s and 60s, and at least one of the regular steam fleet having been built in 1899, we regularly run even more vintage rolling stock, giving passengers an experience of travel as it was many, many years ago.
We have the next Vintage Train running-day on June 25, and then July 2 and 23, August 6 and 20, and September 3.
On select days you can enjoy the opulence of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway’s Club Carriage, which dates back to a time when railways would allow clubs of passengers to have their own private carriage.
This is an example of one of these club vehicles, in which you sink into one of the individual leather chairs, and can admire the bespoke Lancashire and Yorkshire railway carpet throughout.
It is a fantastic vehicle, which was saved after many years’ service as a cricket pavilion. Hearing the story of its restoration by the Lancashire & Yorkshire Trust, which is based on the railway, is as impressive as the splendour of the vehicle itself.
There’s plenty more you can enjoy, with our inaugural Little Engines Gala from July 7, when we will see some of our smaller locomotives hauling passenger trains, including some engines that are usually confined to shunting in the yard or to freight duties.
We hope there is something for everyone and we look forward to welcoming you on board soon!
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here