the Worth Valley from the Keighley terminus.

The steep gradient up the Worth Valley from the Keighley terminus has been a challenge for locomotives ever since the line opened on 15th April 1867. The sound of a steam engine tackling this climb echoes from the steep sides of the valley, while great clouds of steam and smoke add drama to the scene. Many of the woollen mills that once stood close to the line have been demolished, but a few remain as reminders that the textile industry was the reason why the line was built. Like the railway, the mills relied on coal, and the trains were able to bring hundreds of tons up the valley each week to keep the looms working by steam power. The five mile journey is a powerful reminder of our industrial heritage, as well as being a unique way of enjoying the beautiful countryside immortalised by Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë.

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The Brontes unfortunately did not enjoy the benefits of this branch line in their own time (it was not ready until 1867 and had been hampered by the floods of 1866), so they must have endured many trudges to Keighley to catch trains to transport manuscripts to publishers! In fact we know from Charlotte Bronte's letters in Elizabeth Gaskell's 'The Life of Charlotte Bronte' (see p.422) that Charlotte was often met by friends at Keighley Station to then make the long trudge back to Haworth - this must have been horrendous in the middle of winter!

De Brontes konden helaas nog niet genieten van de voordelen van deze treinlijn. De aanleg was pas klaar in 1867, de aanleg werd belemmerd door de overstromingen van 1866), dus zij hebben veel moeite moeten doen om op reis te gaan. We weten uit de brieven van Charlotte Bronte aan Elizabeth Gaskell ; "The Life of Charlotte Bronte "(zie p.422), dat Charlotte vaak werd gehaald op Station Keighley, om daarna de lange weg terug te sjokken naar Haworth - dit moet in de verschrikkelijke winters vreselijk zijn geweest!