Riding the Rails

 Thursday 25th May 2023.               Riding the Rails

Today’s outing for the Lads would be a return to the nostalgic days of the steam train and the pleasure that they bring to many many thousands of enthusiasts up and down our country. 

For to enjoy this adventure the lads would be travelling to the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway Station ,upon arrival there they would then take a relatively short train journey from Keighley to Oxenhope passing the stations of Ingrow, Damens , Oakworth and Howarth on their way. Their intended plan was to ride as far as Howarth, then leave the train and take up a good vantage point in order to catch a glimpse of the famous Flying Scotsman that was operating on this particular rail line today.

 But this plan was completely changed and what a great thing to have happened. A last minute decision was taken to ride the full length of the journey to Oxenhope, stay on the train and then return to Howarth as originally planned. In doing so we were able to catch more than one glimpse of this famous loco, in fact numerous moments of pure nostalgia were gained by our change . 

Firstly the train that we were travelling on, which was a step back in time to the single compartment arrangement in carriages, was ideally suited for the five of us, namely Glenn, Colin, John, Derek and Dave plus an elderly gentleman named Tony from Stafford, he had been a past volunteer for this particular rail company and was able to give us an insight as to what we could expect , as we approached Damens Loop our train came to a halt, this was to enable the Flying Scotsman and the many passengers it was carrying pass by, perfect opportunity to get our first glimpse of this magnificent locomotive slowly chugging along click a tee clack as she went by. 

Some 5 or 6 minutes later and we were on our way again , as we reached Howarth station the platform was rather crowded to say the least, our decision to stay aboard the train proving a good call as the time stood around waiting for the return of the Flying Scotsman could now be spent riding to Oxenhope and back to Howarth, on the the return from Oxenhope we were joined by two other couples enjoying this adventure they had had the pleasure of experiencing a ride behind the famous loco earlier that morning, we bid them farewell as the five of us lads stepped on to the station platform at Howarth hopefully in time to snatch another glimpse of her as she steamed along, at this point we were told this particular journey was running behind schedule so gave us some time to chat to a support crew that would be in charge of the rear engine supplying the extra power to pull the many coaches on these journeys. Some 15 minutes later the Flying Scotsman came slowly by giving the many enthusiasts time to get a perfect photo of her.

With the Time now approaching 1 o’clock we took the short walk towards the local fish and chip shop for our eagerly awaited lunch. This was enjoyed sat outside the establishment close by the roadside, there had been a marked difference in the weather conditions at this point, gone was the warm sunshine and replaced by a rather cool breeze and cloudy conditions, so we headed back towards the railway station and hopefully catch our return train journey back to Keighley, not before being treated to yet another siting of the Flying Scotsman as it rather briefly halted at Howarth. Our return journey train did eventually arrive and we were joined in our compartment with a young Lad from Sheffield who also was a volunteer on this railway, nice to chat with him on this our final trip of nostalgia.

Once back in Keighley there was time for a brief cuppa and a chance to say hello again to the ticket office man, also named Tony, who gave us each a memento of our experience in the form of a booklet etc. nice gesture from him. From the setting of the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway it was just a short distance to the main line station here at Keighley, we were hoping to catch the 15:01 train back to Leeds, unfortunately this particular train had been cancelled so other plans had to be put into action, ie take the 15:18 train heading for Bradford, get off at Shipley and then take the 15:38 going to Leeds finally arriving back in the city a few minutes before 4pm.  From here we then took our respective journeys home, John had left us for his journey home back in Keighley.

Looking back upon our adventure today with it’s hints of nostalgia, as been well worth the effort .

Cheers Everyone.

Surveying Settle

 Wednesday 17th May 2023.                Surveying  Settle

It was pastures tranquil and green that the lads would experience today on their visit to the North Yorkshire market town of Settle. They intend to cover between 4 and 5 miles of countryside that surrounds this particular location. Those making the rail journey will be Colin, Malcolm, Dave, Glenn and John, they should reach Settle just before midday and that is indeed what occurred. 

After leaving the railway station the lads began their adventure, with John and Colin leading the way as they had both previously done this walk. First a call at the local supermarket to purchase sandwiches and drinks etc then remember which direction to head was it left then right or was it right then left, a mobile phone image was consulted then we were on our way, over the river bridge and crossing the main road they soon found themselves in a relatively quiet and picturesque setting with just bird song and the sounds of running water in their ears. The pathway taking them through meadows adorned with grazing sheep and lambs with the odd farm tractor off in the distance. 

Not before too long a suitable place was found to consume our sandwiches and enjoy this tranquility interspersed with the odd passers by, at one point the lads struck up a conversation with a young man named Kevin, he was in the area taking advantage of the challenges of the 3 Peaks and the numerous countryside walking in this location. We chatted for about 15 minutes or so before he bid us farewell and was gone. Soon we were back on our feet and continuing our journey, we eventually came to a country lane which we had to follow for a few hundred yards before taking a farm track leading us back towards the river making sure the gate was securely closed behind us. At the end of the track we crossed over the river passing a row of cottages on our way, then it was follow the pathway towards the John Roberts paper mill and join another country lane heading back towards the outskirts of Settle. Along this lane Colin and John had previously had a chance meeting with an elderly couple who had relocated here ,originally they were from the Leeds area, did manage to get the attention of the elderly man only this time, took him a few moments to recall their meeting of last year, nice to chat with him again. 

Now for the last stretch of this journey and remember the short cut passageway leading to the town centre that brings us close to main high street, here was a chance to partake in a late lunch courtesy of the fish and chip shop , meals collected we walk a few more yards up the high street and found ourselves a suitable bench to sit at, right outside the ice cream parlour, how fitting for the Lads.

With more than an hour until the next train heading for Leeds it was a rather leisurely lunchtime affair has we reflected upon our adventure here in Settle and also discussed future plans re our upcoming visit to see the Flying Scotsman Steam Locomotive at Howarth. Now with the time approaching 3:50 pm it was a steady walk back towards the railway station in order to catch the 16:28 back to the city of Leeds and then our respective paths home.

Upon reflection today’s adventure was more than just great, it was fantastic just the kind of medicine we all need, peace and tranquility with fun company.

Cheers Lads.

From Ossett to Dewsbury

 Wednesday 10th May 2023               From Ossett to Dewsbury 

Today’s outing was a re-run of an adventure undertaken a few weeks previous, this time Colin ,Dave and Malcolm will make the trip along with Derek and John.

Their intention is to all meet up at Ossett bus station at around 11 o’clock, collect a picnic lunch from a local shop ie Couplands , then begin the 4 mile walk towards the town of Dewsbury, which nestles in the valley bottom some hundred and odd meters below their starting point.

The weather conditions were favourable to start off with but would eventually change some time later. The rain clouds could be seen far off in the distance as the lads slowly walked along through the pleasant countryside enjoying the splendid 360 degree view.

At one point the pathway took us close by Derek’s home and a wave from Sandra his wife , could be observed from an upstairs window.

This was a interesting and nostalgic adventure for Colin, has he had lived in this particular location some years ago, some memories of this came flooding back for him. In one particular spot we spent a few moments reading and studying some display boards that had been placed along our route, they depicted scenes  and historical facts about the Railway Station that once existed at a location named Earlsheaton. As we looked skyward at this point,  rain was undoubtedly going to fall imminently and did so, luckily for us lads the old railway tunnel was just a short distance away so we were able to take cover and shelter from the downpour. 

Upon reaching the other end of the tunnel we took time to consume our sandwiches etc before continuing our journey on towards Dewsbury and the Leggers pub situated in the canal basin and wharf area, the rain had begun to fall again so the pub provided us with a useful resting place and time for a cuppa and study who were the artist’s singing songs provided in the background music, a little assistance from the barmaid came to our rescue however. After a short while the rain seemed to ease off , time to complete our adventure has we made our way to both the bus and railway stations here in Dewsbury.

Upon reflection this had been a pleasure giving walk along with great company  with a total of about 5 miles covered. 

Church Lads 

 Wednesday 3 May 2023

Knaresborough 

Todays trip would take the lads to Knaresborough by train catching the 10:29 from Leeds City. 

Todays group would consist of Derek, John, Glenn, Malcolm and Colin. 

Arriving in Knaresborough at 11:14 we ascended up to the Market area to buy our lunches at Hirst’s Bakery!

We then walked down the high street until we reached the car park on the right hand side at the bottom of the hill and walked through the car park until we reached the games area where there were benches and a table where we partook our lunch and momentarily we were joined by the Police who chatted to us and reminisced about the annual bed race where the officer alway took part until he damaged his back so sadly would not be taking part but Glenn fondly remembered his time in the Thackray team with Gill Broughton on the bed. 

After seeking some assistance from the Police on the best way to return on a scenic route to the Town Centre we set off down by the River Nidd and following a twisting and undulated path we eventually we ended up back at the Car Park. 

Crossing the road we followed the path until the steps to the castle appeared on the left. Negotiating the steps we climbed up to the castle with a couple of stops on the way. 

Once again the Police had said that the best ice cream is opposite the Police Station called Castle Creamery which we found straight away and ordered our wares and sat down to our delicious ice creams which we all enjoyed tremendously at a very reasonable price of only £2.30!

We then made our way back to Knaresborough Station to catch the 14:47 back to Leeds but it was cancelled so we caught the 15:08. Malcolm alighted at Horsforth and the rest of us continued back to Leeds arriving at 15:57 just too late for John to catch the 15:56 to Skipton, never mind!

Another lovely day out and a trip to Ossett and a walk to Dewsbury to look forward to on Wednesday 10  May!

-- 

Colin Hendrick Ward