The Line was built in 1867 by local mill owners, but with the operation of trains 'franchised' to the Midland Railway which operated the adjoining Bradford/Leeds - Skipton line. The Midland Railway eventually bought out the KWVR Company. The Line became part of the London, Midland & Scottish Railway in 1924 and British Railways (BR) in 1948.
 

BR's economies closed the branch in 1962, but local opposition was such that a preservation society was formed which created a Company to buy the Line outright, lease access into Keighley station and operate a regular public service.

Diesel railcars were purchased to operate a daily passenger service, a diesel locomotive to work goods trains and several steam locomotives and carriages to operate a tourist service.

The Line reopened in 1968 and has been owned, operated and managed entirely by volunteer members of the preservation society ever since. The sale of the Worth Valley branch was the first privatisation of British Railways and the 6 year legal battle to transfer ownership was testament to this. It is amazing to think now, but the new KWVR did not have to raise the thousands of pounds 'up front' to buy the Line from BR, we paid them in instalments over the following 25 years - with no interest, simply the cost of the Branch / 25! We paid BR the final installment in 1992.

The six year closure led to the line's freight and 150,000 local passengers finding other means of transport. However a weekend morning diesel 'shopper' service proved viable together with a steam train service from midday, and a daily steam train service throughout the summer and public holiday weeks. Residents of the Valley can now apply for a special pass which gives them greatly reduced fares and provide a convenient alternative to the bus.

In the years since reopening not only has the KWVR developed into one of the country's premier 'heritage' railways it has continued a tradition of service to the communities along the Worth Valley, operating rail services on almost 200 days per year

Note - Locos that show as resident may be based here but loaned to other sites, click on 'Loco' to view the most recent location

Click on Thumbnails below to see a larger image.