A RAIL museum has reopened following the latest easing of lockdown restrictions.

The Bahamas Locomotive Society's Engine Shed at Rail Story has welcomed back visitors.

This week the volunteer-run museum, at Ingrow West, is open daily – from 11am to 4pm – for the Spring Bank holiday.

Then it will open its doors just at weekends for a period, with the situation being reviewed at the end of next month.

Full Covid safety measures – including social distancing, a one-way system around the museum and sanitiser provision – are in place.

A short reopening ceremony was held at which the special guest was Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council's portfolio holder for regeneration, planning and transport.

Keith Whitmore, chairman of the Bahamas Locomotive Society, said he was delighted that the museum was open once again.

"We opened last summer for a brief period when we could but we were last able to welcome visitors at Halloween so it's fantastic to have the public back," he said.

"We were really pleased that Councillor Ross-Shaw was able to join us to carry out the reopening. The support we have been given by both Bradford Council and Alex personally is very much appreciated and we are delighted to be able to welcome back visitors to see our collection of locomotives, rolling stock and memorabilia within the museum and in the Ingrow yard."

Councillor Ross-Shaw said he was "honoured" to be asked to reopen the attraction.

"It is one of my favourite museums in the whole of Bradford district," he added.

"The team there put in a huge amount of work getting ready for a safe reopening.

"The museum is a fantastic asset for the community and as part of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway line makes for a wonderful day out as we reopen society coming out of lockdown."

Other guests at the event included Keighley East councillor, Malcolm Slater.

The Bahamas Locomotive Society has a busy few months ahead.

The Bahamas loco itself is returning to mainline operation this summer, with 11 trips planned between August and October.

"Most of these trips will be from London – marking the first time ever that 45596 Bahamas will have ventured in and out of the capital's mainline stations under our ownership," said Mr Whitmore. "We will be working with both Steam Dreams and the Rail Touring Company."

The locomotive will also visit the Nene Valley Railway in August and star at its Jubilee Gala weekend, from August 28-30.

Following the programme of mainline excursions, the locomotive will return to the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway for the winter.

Bahamas has also featured recently in the filming on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway for the sequel to the classic 1970 movie version of The Railway Children.

For further information about the museum, visit bahamaslocomotivesociety.com.