A railway heritage group will be marking 40 years since it was the location for a film that has developed iconic status.

The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway’s winter gala will recall the making of the classic, The Railway Children, filmed on the line in 1970 and starring Jenny Agutter.

And steaming along the five-mile track between Keighley and Oxenhope will be one of the engines that featured in it.

The Great Northern Railway N2 class 0-6-2T tank engine, locomotive No 1744, which will take to the track between Friday and Sunday, February 12 to 14, was given the name “The Scotch Express” in the film.

The engine has a long history with the heritage group, having been the locomotive that pulled the first train along the line when it was taken over by preservationists 45 years ago.

It hauled carriages and wagons from Keighley to the new headquarters in Haworth, on March 6, 1965.

It was the first sign that the railway was about to be returned to life after it was axed in the early 1960s.

Railway spokesman Jim Shipley said: “Interest in the filming of The Railway Children increases all the time and we’re working on a number of celebrations for this year – of which the winter gala will be the first.

“These events attract people from all over the world to the Worth Valley and they bring much-needed extra business for the area’s hotels, guest houses, restaurants, pubs and shops. It all helps the local economy and employment prospects.”

Up to seven locomotives would be in steam and operating trains over the three days, he added.

A free heritage bus would operate between Haworth and Oxenhope, with a tour guide on board.

Behind-the-scenes tours will be offered to the workshops and carriage sheds at Oxenhope and the locomotive works at Haworth.

Full timetables are available on the railway’s website at kwvr.co.uk and at stations, as well as by post from Haworth station, Keighley, BD22 8NJ or by telephoning (01535) 645214/647777.