A Day On The Train

The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway is not really a Bradford subject, but you can get to Keighley railway station from Bradford by bus in around forty five minutes, or by train in around twenty five minutes, it makes a great day out.  The locomotive in the picture is just pulling up at Ingrow West station on its journey from Keighley to Haworth and Oxenhope.

Just a bit of information about the locomotive, it's a British Rail Standard Class 2 MT built at the former LNER workshops at Darlington.  It was rescued from a scrapyard at the end of the steam era and underwent restoration lasting 18 years.  You can hear the locomotive leaving Oxenhope station for Haworth and Keighley in the link below.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11IhgIqZngfmDUYx39nPbeAEASamjf-KK/view?usp=sharing

Oxenhope Straw Race - The Chippendales?

The fun continued well after the finish of the Oxenhope Straw Race, as you can see in this cheeky shot. One of the teams entertains the crowd outside of the Dog and Gun at Oxenhope.

Oxenhope Straw Race 2013

I spent an enjoyable afternoon at the Oxenhope Straw Race today.  Contestants have to carry a bale of straw from pub to pub around the village of Oxenhope, stopping off at each holstelry to down a pint of ale.  Most of the participants are in fancy dress, so there is a carnival atmosphere, and the event raises money for charity.  I was impressed with this band who managed to push their stage around with them, with all their gear inside (generator, amps, full drum kit, the lot), and up some seriously steep hills!

Beware Of Trains

     I spent a couple of hours at the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway yesterday morning.  The heritage steam railway society was holding its annual Winter Steam Gala, a weekend (well, three days actually) of  special events on the Keighley to Oxenhope branch line.  The picture was taken at  a pedestrian crossing point just below Oxenhope station and shows locomotive No. 80002, which I believe is shortly to be taken out of service for a major overhaul, on its downward journey to Haworth and Keighley stations.

Lamb Inn - Oxenhope Straw Race

Contestants in the Oxenhope Straw Race leaving the Lamb Inn after downing a quick beer.

Elvis at the Oxenhope Straw Race

As well as taking part in the race, Elvis and his band managed to put in a couple of performances at the Oxenhope Straw Race.

Oxenhope Straw Race

The village of Oxenhope lies about nine miles West of Bradford and is probably best known as the terminus for the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. The village is also famous for its annual Straw Race. Contestants in the race have to down a pint of ale at each pub in the village whilst carrying a large bale of straw, not an easy task as there are some seriously steep hills to negotiate. The event is to raise money for local charities and most individuals and teams compete in fancy dress.