Today saw me shooting the engine Badger at Whistlestop Valley, formerly Kirklees Light Railway.
Badger is a steam locomotive on the Kirklees Light Railway (KLR) at Whistlestop Valley. The locomotive was built in 1991 by Brian Taylor in the KLR workshop at Clayton West, after initially being partially built elsewhere. Badger is quite powerful, with driving wheels measuring 11.5 inches in diameter, two cylinders with a 6-inch stroke and a 5-inch bore, and operating at a boiler pressure of 180 psi, producing nearly 2,000 lbs of tractive effort.
Whilst taking some photos of the engine at Shelley station the driver of Badger, Craig, stopped me and asked if I could send any shots I happen to get with him in as today was to be his last day as a trainee driver. We had a good chat about locos and old stuff in general and I shot a couple of portraits, before having to alight for the return journey back to Clayton West. When back at Clayton West I was then able to nab a couple of other photos of the loco on the turntable and pootling around.
The Kirklees Light Railway (KLR), now known as Whistlestop Valley, has a history that stretches back to the 1800s, when the area between Huddersfield and Barnsley was a hub for textile mills and coal mines but lacked railway access. Here's a brief timeline:
Mid-1800s: There were multiple failed attempts to build a railway through Skelmanthorpe and Clayton West to connect Huddersfield to Rossington. After 28 tries, permission was finally granted in 1866 to build a branch line.
1879: The railway opened, serving both coal mines and workers who needed transport for excursions. It survived a major railway closure in the 1960s due to the steady coal traffic.
1980s: By the early 1980s, with coal traffic gone and passenger numbers dropping, the railway closed in 1983. The tracks were removed in 1986.
1990: Brian and Doreen Taylor, who were interested in narrow gauge railways, decided to revive the line as a 15-inch gauge railway. By October 1991, KLR reopened to the public, providing rides to Cuckoo's Nest and back.
1997: The line was extended to Shelley, with support from the European Union's coalfield regeneration schemes.
2005: A family-owned company took over, bringing new investment, including new carriages, a new locomotive, play areas, and a picnic spot.
2021: KLR was rebranded as Whistlestop Valley, with additional attractions like a canopied jumping pillow and an event space.
Today: The railway runs from Clayton West to Shelley, a 3.5-mile journey
Cheers
Olly
📸🤓
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Nikon Zf with 40mm f2 SE on the front
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