TWO old soldiers came face-to-face with a fellow Second World War veteran when they visited the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.

Ken Smith and Ken Cooke, who are both in their 90s, explored American-built locomotive No 5820 Big Jim – one of the railway’s most distinctive trains – during their visit.

Both men took part in the D-Day landings in Normandy in 1944 when Allied forces began their operation to liberate Europe from the Germans. They planned to visit the railway with former airman Douglas Petty, a fellow member of the Normandy Veterans Association, to relive their memories of 1940s railways. Douglas was unable to attend due to ill health, but the two sprightly Kens were able to travel from York. The pair spent a wonderful day at the KWVR, enjoying a round trip behind Big Jim and telling railway staff and volunteers stories from their time serving in the war. A KWVR spokesman said: “It was an honour for the railway to host such a wonderful visit for Ken and Ken and we were delighted to have them join us for the day."