The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway (KWVR) has successfully finished its largest civil engineering project to date: the £1.25 million restoration of Bridge 27 in Haworth, completed punctually with the aid of over 2500 hours of volunteer work.

Over the course of three weeks, volunteers and contractors have executed years of planning by dismantling the old bridge, constructed in 1889 during a reconstruction of a prior bridge built in 1867 for the line’s inauguration.

It has been substituted with a more substantial steel structure, resting on deep foundations, which have been positioned behind the existing bridge abutments.

”The last three weeks have been the culmination of over a decade’s work by volunteers preparing for this incredibly complex civil engineering project. To deliver this scale of work with volunteers, supported by industry specialists, is a credit to the KWVR and its voluntary workforce, as well as the designers, contractors and other suppliers who worked alongside us.

The railway’s Chief Civil Engineer, James Barlow

Work commenced in May, with Contractors Keller spending two weeks installing twelve reinforced concrete piles behind the existing structure.

These piles, extending 16 metres deep, were equipped with steel cages and filled with concrete.

Following this phase, volunteers reinstated the rails for the summer services, setting the stage for engineers to finalize the project in September.

On Sunday, September 1st, immediately after the last train crossed, volunteers dismantled the track and the old bridge, clearing the way for contractors to resume work on Monday, September 2nd.

The Bahamas Locomotive Society‘s 50-ton steam crane assisted in the demolition of the old bridge, while the railway’s Grafton steam crane was responsible for removing the track.

Prior to the arrival and installation of the new bridge, site preparation was necessary.

The piles that were put in place in May required uncovering, and the construction of new foundations for the bridge was essential.

Additionally, the ground around the site needed preparation, and a concrete pile cap was to be placed at both ends of the bridge.

The new bridge was delivered to Haworth on the evening of September 9th. The deck, which weighs almost 50 tonnes, was so large that it required a police escort to the Wydean Weaving car park.

The culmination of years of planning unfolded in Haworth on Saturday, September 14th, as the 450-ton Ainscough Crane made its way down Mill Hey amid a buzz of police activity and onlookers.

Shortly after, with expert manoeuvring, the crane was strategically positioned in the Wydean Carpark next to the bridge, poised above the railway, prepared to hoist the new bridge and the north-end transition slab into place.

The week following the bridge’s completion marked the annual Civil Week, where volunteers dedicated their time to the railway, completing the bridge construction, and laying new track across the bridge.

Before the commencement of passenger services on the inaugural day, a distinctive charter traversed the bridge. The DMU Class 101 embarked on a brief journey over Bridge 27, carrying volunteers who contributed to the project.

The project became feasible due to the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway receiving a £1 million grant from the Government’s Community Ownership Fund, which is an element of the “Levelling Up” initiative.

With trains running along the line once more, visitors can look forward to the Autumn Steam Up event taking place between the 4th and 6th of October, more details on that can be found over on their website here.

“This is a spectacular achievement, with the new bridge being installed and commissioned both on time and on budget. It’s the most ambitious civil engineering project we’ve ever had to undertake since we reopened the line in 1968. It is testimony to the skill and commitment of the many volunteers who made this happen, and in particular to our Chief Civil Engineer James Barlow who led the project. There’s been a decade of planning that has resulted in such an excellent result, and the new bridge helps us secure the future of the railway for generations to come. We are very grateful to the Government’s Community Ownership Fund for a very significant contribution to the cost, and also the Friends of the KWVR for their grant.”

KWVRPS Chairman Matthew Stroh