LONG-TERM projects on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway have been outlined to members by its strategy and development director.

Martin Shaw has presented an update on initiatives aimed at improving the experience for visitors to stations along the heritage railway line.

Mr Shaw, writing in the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway (KWVR) magazine Push and Pull, revealed progress on major plans to improve catering facilities across the line.

He said initial plans to create a cafe at Oxenhope station been expanded to include kitchen facilities at other key stations.

He said: “This is likely to include the refurbishment of the water tower structure at Keighley station into a catering outlet, together with enhanced facilities at Ingrow.

“Oakworth station is also high on the list, partly because we now have a funding source willing to support roles in evolving a display based on the Railway Children film.”

The Railway Children, which was filmed on the fledgling Worth Valley line, will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2020.

Mr Shaw said some of the KWVR’s other long-term projects were intended to tie in with the railway’s own 50th anniversary celebrations in 2018.

He said a campaign had been successfully launched to return a locomotive called the Ivatt to steam by the golden jubilee.

He said: “Ivatt’s restoration would be helped by an extended Howarth Yard workshop, which remains firmly in the project list.”

Mr Shaw said the intention was to develop the Haworth yard and shed, where locomotives are stored and volunteers regularly work on engines, into a better visitor attraction.