THE Shadow Rail Minister has been in Keighley to launch a new Learning Coach at a local visitor attraction.

MP Rachael Maskell officially opened the Bahamas Locomotive Society’s coach at Rail Story, in Ingrow, next to the Keighley & Worth Valley line.

The visiting MP was accompanied by Keighley MP John Grogan and Councillor Chris Herd.

Ms Maskell said she was “delighted” to be asked to perform the opening ceremony.

She said that as an MP in York she had regular contact with the National Railway Museum, adding that as a youngster she loved to visit the heritage Watercress Line, in Hampshire.

She added: “The Learning Coach is a vital, local educational resource and provides a fun and unique way to introduce heritage and local history to young people.

“The Bahamas Locomotive Society should be proud of what its members have achieved.”

Mr Grogan said: “I already knew about what the coach was providing both for schools and the wider community.

“Its Saturday Science Club has become a Saturday ‘must do’ for local young people.”

Rail Story is a collaboration involving the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, the Vintage Carriage Trust and the Bahamas Locomotive Society.

The Learning Coach is a former railway passenger carriage, which has been turned into a well used education and exhibition centre.

It is part of the Heritage Lottery-funded project to overhaul Bahamas, a mainline steam locomotive. Repairs on this steam engine are now nearing completion.

Commenting on the Learning Coach opening, Keith Whitmore, chairman of the Bahamas Locomotive Society, said: “I’m pleased that there was such strong political support for the project.

“Our society has been working closely with Bradford Council, Keighley Town Council and Keighley College to sustain the effort which has been put into the restoration of this historic coach.

“It has been transformed from a derelict shell into what is now a popular educational and community asset.”