Jolly Fisherman is back on the line (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Jolly Fisherman is back on the line

6:19am Saturday 7th June 2008

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All the fun of the seaside came to the Bradford district to mark the 100th anniversary of a special train that used to run to the coast.

The Jolly Fisherman service started operating in 1908 and connected the district and other parts of Yorkshire to the resort of Skegness.

To mark the train's centenary, the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway pulled out all the stops to recapture the spirit of the service.

The Butlins Red Coats were out in force on Keighley station, and were joined by Skegness' resort mascot, the Jolly Fisherman.

Even the Mayor of Skegness, Councillor Neil Pimperton, had made the journey to the railway to be part of the historic occasion.

In front of hundreds of rail enthusiasts, the Jolly Fisherman service blasted out of Keighley behind two diesel locomotives - a pair of class 20s - that used to operate the train in the 1980s and 90s.

The spectacular sight launched the railway's diesel gala, which runs throughout today and tomorrow.

The yard outside Haworth engine shed had rarely looked so busy as seven visiting diesels, from as far afield as Devon and Carlisle, joined the railway's resident fleet of engines.

Tim Moody, organiser of the diesel gala, explained that the weekend represented a quadruple celebration of anniversaries.

Mr Moody, of Haworth, said: "We are celebrating many things this weekend. First and foremost, it's the 40-year anniversary of the railway being re-opened as a branch line in 1968 by volunteers."

To celebrate the landmark, Mr Moody said a mainline locomotive, 37087, had been named Keighley & Worth Valley Railway - 40th anniversary.

He said: "Also, this year marks 20 years since our first diesel gala which was in 1988 and ten years since Direct Rail Services, a mainline freight operator from Carlisle, have been sending locomotives here.

"But the oldest of them all is the Jolly Fisherman which is 100 years old this year. Significantly, we have got two of the locomotives here today that used to run to Skegness and were used by many enthusiasts to go to the seaside. We have even got a cake to celebrate the Jolly Fisherman's 100th birthday.

"The train isn't running to Skegness today, just to Oxenhope, which is nearly the same!

Coun Pimperton, who led the team of delegates from Skegness Town Council, said: "Last year we were approached by the railway for the 40th anniversary.

"Skegness owns the original plaque with the Jolly Fisherman logo on and they asked if they could use it for the anniversary. They also said they would be delighted if the mayor and a party could come and be involved in the action of the day and it has been absolutely fantastic.

"We have been treated with courtesy and everyone has been fantastic."

Trains operating on the line were very busy yesterday and were expected to be even busier today.

e-mail: will.kilner @telegraphandargus.co.uk

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