After we visited Haworth Again, which I wrote about in my last post, we decided to call in at Oakworth Station. It's less than two miles from Haworth and was made famous when The Railway Children was filmed there.
When you enter the ticket office at Oakworth Station, it's like stepping back in time. There's no mod cons here and that's its charm. While we were there the station master took a phone call, not on his mobile phone as you might think but on an old-fashioned candlestick telephone.
It was a chilly day, we were only just into March, and it was lovely to get warm by the real fire, which was lit in the hearth, before we walked through to the platform.
The station was built and opened with the rest of the line for passengers in 1867. It's part of the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway.
The line was closed in 1962 but the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway Preservation Society took over the line and station and reopened it in 1968. It now runs a regular weekend service up the valleys of the River Worth and Bridgehouse Beck to Oxenhope, as well as special events throughout the year.
We'd arrived after one train had left and another was due so we didn't get to see a steam train on this occasion but we enjoyed our visit to the station just the same.
As I've mentioned, The Railway Children, which was released in 1970, was filmed at Oakworth Station and there's plaques pertaining to this on the walls. I believe some scenes from the recent remake of All Creatures Great and Small were filmed here too.
I enjoyed seeing all the old signs on the fencing, some of these bring back memories.
There's even an old handcart and luggage.
At the other end of the station building is the Ladies' Waiting Room.
I can just imagine the ladies in Victorian times waiting for their train in this room. There was another lit fire here too and the clock gave a lovely loud tick tock sound. There's even a tablecloth and flowers on the table and a rug by the hearth, things were done properly in those days.
Lighting is still by gas lamps.
I'm really pleased we called at Oakworth Station, it's a shame we missed seeing a train but it gives us an excuse to return, and perhaps we'll even take a ride rather than just watching, who knows.
There are a few stations here that look just like that, they're part of the West Somerset Railway, such as Watchet, Blue Anchor Bay and Minehead. Lovely for a visit.
ReplyDeleteIt all looks lovely, Jo. I can't believe The Railway Children was made in 1970! Over 50 years ago!! Yet another sign that I'm getting old! LOL
ReplyDeleteI love old railway stations, they're so evocative aren't they. There are one or two near here that are kept in a similar way and it's always lovely to visit. I like to imagine what it was like as well. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteI love these old stations, they have such a great atmosphere even if the trains aren't there at the time. I'm think they are hoping to revive some of the old lines cut by Beeching if they have the funds to do so.I fondly remember The Railway Children, such a lovely film and book.
ReplyDeleteI like old railway stations and love the look of this one, the old advertising signs are great too :)
ReplyDeleteLovely photos and ones of times past. If only all the closed lines had been preserved and taken over then we could have reopened them again today. Our line from our village to the main town now has a supermarket built on it - many residents here, including myself, that work in town would be only too glad to take the train in and not the car. 😊
ReplyDeleteOld railway stations are special.I remember the excitement of going on holiday on the train as a child.
ReplyDeleteBarbarax
I would like to say you are tempting me to visit with these lovely photographs, but after your last post I already booked a trip to Haworth for later this year :) I'm really looking forward to it. Xx
ReplyDeleteThat's very cool (it looks like a somewhat pretty day too). I've only seen a steam train once--there is one that runs to the Grand Canyon in Arizona but it's a very short ride. Thanks for sharing! And for reminding me to change the background on my blog!
ReplyDeleteWhat a charming station, I love old buildings, they talk to me somehow. x
ReplyDeleteA most enjoyable post and interesting pictures.
ReplyDeleteThat's the sort of place I like visiting and looking round.
I hope you see a steam train next time, and maybe get to ride on one as well. xx
Shows how ancient I am, I can remember actually using stations like this when I was younger. lol
ReplyDeleteBriony
x
We travelled on the train when we were staying in Haworth - it was a lovely experience. Thank you for bringing back some happy memories.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes
Ellie
That is a wonderful station and a lovely place to visit. I really like the signs too.
ReplyDeleteYes it's a lovely station I have been to one of the 40's weekends and it's a great atmosphere well worth a visit, I'd love to go back someday. xx
ReplyDeleteGoodness, how delightful! Fancy the lighting still been lit with gas!xxx
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe you've posted about Oakworth as one of our UK family popped on FB & said they'd been to Oakworth last weekend. What a coincidence. I love old fashioned stations & I read The Railway Children several times when young & once as an adult. Thanks for sharing, take care & hugs.
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely place to visit, your photographs show it very well.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
What a lovely station, wouldn't it be great if they were like that now and we had that slower pace of life, sigh.
ReplyDeleteHow quaint. Looks so cute. It's nice there are some original places still around. Glad you got to visit.
ReplyDeleteSandy's Space
what a great post,love the photos,thanks for sharing.I have learnt a lot very interesting.x
ReplyDeleteLove the pics of the old tin adverts, so reminiscent of olden times.
ReplyDeleteI recognise this station, I think we have visited this one. I have been on the train recently and think we got on or off at this station, you are right it is delightful.
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