A Journey Through Time on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway
There are places that take you back in time — to halcyon days when life moved at a slower pace. Days that seemed longer, where summer lingered and hurriedness had not yet taken hold. Many decades on, that past has been lovingly resurrected.
Here, it comes alive again. The hiss of steam. The smell of burning coal. The shrill whistle and the glow of the fire. Simple things that remind you what a train journey once truly was.
These were trains that threaded their way through the Yorkshire countryside from the busy town of Keighley, loaded with coal and water, passengers and freight. Places where axles were greased by rough hands in small open huts, where men worked in pits beneath huge, metal, fire-breathing machines.
The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway still winds its magical way through the rolling hills of West Yorkshire, standing today as one of those rare places where the romance of steam travel truly lives on. Running for just over five miles — from the historic town of Keighley through Brontë country to Oxenhope — it feels like stepping into another era. The journey may be short, but time itself slows, becoming almost sedentary, as you sit and gaze through wide carriage windows at wildlife and landscape beyond the tracks.
Where the Journey Begins
Your adventure usually starts at Keighley Station, the northern terminus of the line. A station that has moved forward with modern trains heading to distant places — yet here, on platforms 3 and 4, gleaming steam engines and heritage diesel locomotives wait patiently for excited children and wide-eyed adults, ready to turn back the clock.
The tall canopy rises above worn and stained platforms, echoing the sounds of the 1950s. Waiting rooms, signal boxes, and the very air itself feel steeped in stories, as though a century of memories lies embedded deep within their foundations.
Arrive early and take time to explore the Water Tower visitor centre next door. Learn how steam engines were fed thousands of litres of fresh water, over and over again — “back in the old days,” as our grandparents would say. Watch archived films of railway life: women in flowing dresses and feathered hats, pearls resting against rising and falling breath; men in black suits and top hats, canes swinging, gold watch chains disappearing discreetly into inner pockets.
Stations Along the Line
As the train pulls away from Keighley, the air fills with the deep, earthy scent of steam and coal — a smell that cannot be replicated. It exists only through hard work, dedication, and respect for the past.
Slide down the single pane window — not double-glazed like today’s silent trains — and cool Yorkshire air rushes in. No air conditioning here. Just a breeze warmed by the firebox, tinged with the effort of a muscled fireman lifting shovel after shovel of coal into the furnace ahead.
Steel wheels turn beneath the carriage, and across the valley people pause to watch white plumes of steam rise into the sky like ghosts of an industry long gone.
Along the way, the train calls at six wonderfully historic stations:
Ingrow West — home to rail museums including Rail Story, where vintage carriages and locomotives can be explored up close.
Damems — Britain’s smallest standard-gauge station, rich in charm, flora, and character.
Oakworth — known worldwide from The Railway Children, where Jenny Agutter’s unforgettable cry of “Daddy, my daddy” marked one of cinema’s most emotional moments.
Haworth — the bustling heart of the line, set beside the village once home to the Brontë sisters.
Oxenhope — the southern terminus, with museum sheds filled with historic carriages and locomotives. A place so magical you half expect the smallest creatures to dress up at night, just to ride the trains unseen.
Passengers can hop on or off at any station with a day ticket, allowing time to explore each place without rush or pressure.
Steam, Senses, and Smiles
A ride aboard one of these locomotives is steam travel as it was meant to be. Drivers and firemen work tirelessly to keep the boiler singing, faces marked with sweat and coal dust — not reenacting history, but living it.
Whether you’re a lifelong rail enthusiast or a visitor who stumbles upon this slice of Yorkshire magic, there is something deeply moving about the journey. Every whistle, every hiss, every turn of the wheels connects you to a time when railways were the lifeblood of industry, travel, and adventure.
Tickets, Times & Tips
Tickets can be bought online in advance or on the day at stations such as Keighley, Haworth, and Ingrow. Day Rover tickets (subject to availability) allow unlimited travel.
Refreshments are available at several stations, with cafés and snack huts offering sandwiches, Yorkshire tea, ice cream on warm days, or a hot coffee between journeys.
Best Spots to Watch the Trains
Some favourite viewing points include:
Oakworth Station Bridge — perfect for capturing smoke, wheels, and stone architecture.
Haworth Footbridge — stunning views of arrivals and departures framed by village rooftops.
Curved sections between stations — ideal for photography or quiet contemplation.
Whether you’re young or old, a steam lover or simply curious, a visit to the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway is far more than a day out. It is a journey into the heart of Yorkshire’s railway heritage — carried forward by those whose passion, pride, and dedication keep the sights, sounds, and smells of steam alive today.