Went to the Diesel Gala yesterday - it wasn't the first time I've been to the KVWR but previous occasions have been nothing more than a quick return trip on a regular operating day. It's an immaculate little line, packing so much into its short length. I was surprised by the comparative lack of signalling, particularly at the Keighley end - after 54 years I would have thought that the line would be fully signalled for intensive heritage railway operation by now.
There was plenty of BR non-gangwayed stock, which would have been readily available in the KWVR's early days, including a couple of open coaches (3+2 seating) which had been converted into compartments, complete with half a luggage rack over each seat! This I thought was utterly bizarre and only afterwards did it dawn on me that it may be a recent COVID-19 thing. Even so, it's the ultimate sledgehammer to crack a walnut!
Trains were very busy, more so than the SVR diesel gala a few weeks back, but then we're comparing 2 x 6-coach trains with 4 x 7/8-coach trains. Yes, there was the muppet element hollering from windows and with their frequent cryptic references to 'veg' (?), but overall it was a thoroughly enjoyable day out and I'll certainly be going again in the future.