Keighley & Worth Valley Railway Steam Gala - 9-12 March

The Amber warning doesn't kick in until 3pm tomorrow, so if you are leaving early you may be OK. Stick to the main roads and avoid any high level routes.
Definitely check the weather forecast tonight, as there will still be snow about in Wales.
Hope you have got accommodation close to the railway!

 

I’m nervously watching the forecast. We’d be travelling from the West Midlands on Friday and have accommodation booked at the top of the hill in Haworth. My wife now very much less than keen and if I’m honest I can’t see us going. We’ll lose the 2 nights in the hotel but if I don’t make it I’ll join the KWVR as a member so at least they get some return on the effort and cost of arranging such a great line up.

 

No laying snow in Hebden Bridge now Wednesday evening although we've had a few snow flurries this afternoon but not settled. All the roads in Calderdale well gritted in the last 24 hours.

This time of year the snow never lasts very long.

If you want an update in the morning I can give you one.

 

A picture from KWVR social media earlier shows all of the participants ready for action in the yard. 45407 is not up on jacks anymore (1054 is parked in front of it):

Sent from my XQ-BT52 using Tapatalk

 

Thursday morning weather observation from Hebden Bridge, just over the hill from the KWVR.

Light overnight covering of snow but all the gritted roads appear clear with traffic moving freely. The first bus from Keighley, Haworth and Oxenhope has just headed into HB to make the 08.00 return on time.

Sky very overcast with fine snow flurries occasionally from the east. Temperature outside around plus 1. Gritter just arrived in our cul de sac.

 

I would be tempted to check the forecast tomorrow morning and decide then. I don't know about the West Midlands but if the Friday forecast for this area, including Haworth, is accurate, the worst is this afternoon and tonight. Some snow tomorrow morning but nowhere near as much as today. By tomorrow you would expect the roads into and out of Haworth to be clear and gritted as necessary. Are you staying at the White Lion? Very nice if so.

 

Yes. Four miles from Keighley/Haworth etc. and very light flurries not settling. Roads clear. A dusting on the hills opposite which are roughly parallel with Oxenhope. Leaving home in thirty minutes and intend to be back home before the expected worst after 3 p.m. Four day member's ticket is paid for and there will be at least two, and hopefully three more full days after today with plenty to see and do. Looking forward to this gala.

 

Yes - The White Lion, stayed once before and loved it! Snowed heavily this morning here but now raining heavily and its washing it all away so still hope! Will make a decision tomorrow morning and even if thats a no go still the possibility of travelling on Saturday. It aint over 'til its over as they say

 

I booked for a tour round Haworth shed while visiting the gala today Thursday 9th March
https://tinyurl.com/4xvs6725

Neil
https://tinyurl.com/4xvs6725

 

I have been to the Gala today, very enjoyable. It was snowing heavily up to lunchtime then stopped or became light and sleety. All the r0ads are clear and running smoothly, apart from one or two of the minor ones which you will have no need to go on. Still a little sleet at present. No lying snow at low level, some "on the tops". Some more snow forecast overnight and a bit tomorrow morning but it does not look like it will cause travel problems on the roads. The weather improves after lunch so you should be fine. Enjoy!

 

Agreed, weather not too bad today and roads look clear mostly - with the exception of the B6141 into Oxenhope (on the Denholme side) which was rather precarious when we went down it earlier today!

The road in from Haworth looked fine when we walked down to the station.

 

looks like frozen points at Keighley end of Damens loop. 45407 been there a while

 

I travelled up via LNER and Northern and all trains I chose ran on time or thereabouts. Hardly any snow around Leeds early afternoon. Keighley was wet snow that wasn't really settling and only Oxenhope & Haworth saw the big flakes around the ,middle of the day.
I'm looking forward to seeing some good line side shots & videos from the valley.

 

Yes, last train arrived Keighley about 45 mins late - pity as everything was going pretty smoothly until then.

 

The snow is coming down in torrents tonight here in Keighley, roads impassable at the moment, see what tomorrow brings, stay safe if your traveling

 

Just had a look on rail cam looks to have stopped snowing at all the stations and track still visible

 

Staying near Skipton and still snowing heavily. Looking to get train down in the morning rather than risking driving all the way.

 

At least six inches of snow landed in our back garden in Hebden Bridge overnight, not going anywhere until a plough turns up. Very little movement on Keighley Road in the last half hour. Very light snow flakes still falling.

Odd trains running through the Calder Valley.

Still forecasting sun for this afternoon after 13.00......................

 

A hardy soul clearing the platform at Oakworth just now, viewed on railcam. ☃️

 

Heavy snow overnight but stopped now in the Keighley area. Roads at ground level clear and running ok but a bit slow in places. The road up to Haworth shows as clear. Don't know about the last bit up the hill to the White Lion but I would guess they will clear that if necessary. With regard to your entire journey, it looks like the M62 is to be avoided at the moment but I imagine if going that way you would come off at Junction 18 M66 before the worst of the hilly sections. Alternatively the M65 from the M6 shows clear apart from the usual rush hour traffic. Tip for anyone coming from the Colne direction, the A6068 direct route to Keighley is currently impassable due to snow. It will be cleared no doubt but a much flatter route from Colne is take the A56 to near Skipton then the A59/A629 to Keighley. Slighter longer but usually hassle free. The forecast is better all round after lunchtime. Good luck!