A day on the rails.

Chris's turn to celebrate. Yes the Fourth of July is his birthday.

As a treat we have spent the day on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. I got a discounted Day Rover ticket a little while ago that had to be used by the end of July so we got the first train out of Keighley, seen here, to Oxenhope at 10.45 this morning.

The engine was at the other end of the train turning round but we got to see it getting up steam to change round again when we got off at Oxenhope. We had a coffee en route and although it looks wet it was actually fine when we got off and for our walk along the valley back to Haworth.

We had lunch at the Fleece in Haworth and then got the train again back to Ingrow. Our Day Rover ticket included entry to the Engine Shed and Carraige Works exhibitions at Ingrow. The carriages have been fantastically restored and as well as a commentary as you enter most of them you are also told all the film and TV appearances each carriage has made. An amazing number from The Railway Children in 1970, only 5 years after the work began on resorting the line, up to Swallows and Amazons in 2015.

The rain did start then but we waited for the last train back to Keighley inside the waiting room at Ingrow so stayed dry.
The stations are immaculate with beautifully kept gardens. There are picnic gardens at Keighley and Oxenhope. Lots of volunteers tending them and doing a fantastic job.

A very interesting day and something we have talked about doing for some time. Chris has enjoyed it which is the main thing.
Oh dear we are going to have to go to the pub again tonight!