Blea Moor and the Ribblehead Viaduct

On Sunday 14th February we left Keighley and journeyed further onto the Yorkshire Dales via Skipton.

The Leeds- Settle-Carlise line runs through some countryside that is so beautiful, wild and somewhat difficult terrain.

As the line passes through Settle, it shortly finds itself on Blea Moor with a steady climb over this desolate countryside, over the Ribblehead Viaduct and on through the Blea Moor tunnel.

As Private Fraser (Dad's Army) would say, 'A wild and lonely place'.

We walked from the car park up to the viaduct then on pass the Blea Moor signal box (England's highest) and up to the Blea Moor Tunnel, a journey of about 4 miles in total, but for a man of my age and weight, not easy, but it was achieved. Perhaps I should do this more often, I thought my fell walking days were long since over!

A truly fantastic place and I would return again and again.

The Railway Children

It is rather a coincidence that last weekend we were visiting the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, the location for the movie 'The Railway Children', made some 4o years ago.

Sadly just a few days ago the death was announced of Lionel Jefferies, the director of this film. I believe he was 83.

An actor with many films under his belt, some made with the late Peter Sellers, 'Two Way Stretch' and the 'Long Arm of the Law' just to name a few.

R.I.P

Winter Steam Gala - Keighley and Worth Valley Railway

Just a small selection of photographs form the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway Winter Steam Gala.

This is the Railway Children line, and filmed some 40 years ago. The station building at Oakworth is of typical Edwardian styling.

The line sadly is only approx 5 miles in length, a branch line originally built from Keighley to all those outlying villages, none the less it is a very popular attraction.
There is still a main line station at Keighley, jointly operated with the KWVR. This main line station is on the Leeds-Settle-Carlise line.

Keighley and Worth Valley Railway

The weekend of 13th and 14th February was a time when I was able to get away form stresses that have been building over a period of time. I wish at times I could just pack it all in and do exactly what I want to do. My tasks and duties of office will come to an end someday, I am not now enjoying what I do very much.

However I was desperate to get up to Yorkshire and visit the Worth Valley Railway that runs from Keighley to Oxenhope.

After breakfast in Keighley, we ventured onto a lovely station that greated us on our arrival. The atmosphere in this station was warm and cosy.

The photographs are of Oakworth Station, built in 1850, and restored to its Edwardian splendour. It was at Oakworth that the final scenes of 'The Railway Children' were taken when the father comes home from wrongful imprisonment. It is a truly charming location and well worth the visit, just to stand on the platform and enjoy the experience,

Ford 2000 Restoration

My Ford 'Dexta' 2000, a 6X series Pre-Force tractor was built at Basildon, Essex in April 1966.

I purchased this tractor in October 2003 in a yard scraper condition. After a couple of shows, it was decided to give it a little tender loving care.

Here it is on my drive way sometime before Christmas 2004 being stripped down, then transferred to Mr Andrew Tippings facility at Ham Green for cleaning down and repainting.

A little work was undertaken at home with brakes, PTO seals, king pins, thrust bearings etc. etc but the remainder of the work was undertaken at Andrews. A new harness was required that Mr Boyce nearly burnt out even before we started. New wings, tin work straightened out, repainted and new decals etc.

New Season

Well folks, things are just beginning to move forward to a new 2010 season.

The North Worcestershire Vintage Tractor and Engine Club have plans well underway for Tractor World at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire. Held this year on 6th and 7th March. Photo is our club stand from 2009 at Malvern.

Invitations are shortly to go out for the Annual Vintage Gathering, held once again this year at S.E. Davis and Son, Astwood Bank. Other plans are gathering pace for this event. Held this year on 12th & 13th June.

Some of us have been invited to assist Bob James and his wife Shirley set up and organise the Evesham Steam Rally on August 13th, 14th, 15th 2010. This event is now business as usual under previous management.

I have had a brief discussion with Mr David Smith from Astwood Bank to look at the viability of a small Easter Steam Run. This is dependent on the engine owners and furthermore also dependent on the engines pre season preparations and inspections. So watch this space ladies and gentlemen.

The North Worcestershire Vintage Tractor and Engine Club will announce in the near future its brand new website. Don't look for it yet, its early days but I am confident that it will happen.

This coming weekend I shall be in Yorkshire and Cumbria. On Saturday we shall be on the Keithly and Worth Valley Railway and on Sunday up on Blea Moor to visit the stunning Ribbleshead Viaduct and no doubt take a ride over it as well.

For those of you on facebook, come and visit us on out group site.