19/06/2004 – 20/06/2004 Keighley & Worth Valley Railway

Following the successful Railfest event at York , 31271 returned to Butterley where she was re-united with her snow-ploughs – yes we know it was JUNE, however we decided not to fit the centre pieces. The loco was given an exam in readiness for the trip to Keighley , our 3rd visit to the line , and movement took place on Fri 18th June with 47401 hauled by EWS 37670 also taking part at the event. Upon arrival, 31271 was fuelled and examined at Haworth shed.

A rather cool & wet June morning sees 31271 at Oxenhope with a Keighley train..19/06/04

Awaiting their turns of duty are 47401 , 31271 & D832 on Oxenhope shed..19/06/04 photo S Harvey

Keighley station , and 31271 prepares for a run ‘up the hill’ to Oxenhope..KWVR Diesel Gala..20/06/04

31271 had 2 round trips each day , most singular although D832 from the ELR accompanied us on some runs . Our loco put a sterling performance over the weekend and sounded superb on the dales. The Gala was blessed with reasonable weather with the traditional KWVR gala thunderstorm on the Sunday afternoon..! The Beerex and Keighley/Haworth evening out was up to the usual high standards we expect …..! Another superb event !