KEIGHLEY’S two railway museums are open to the public following enforced closure during the coronavirus lockdown.

Covid-friendly measures are in place at both ‘Rail Story’ museums at Ingrow West station on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. Passing steam trains are unable to stop at the station so a vintage bus will connect passengers with Oxenhope station.

The Rail Story, based around the neighbouring Ingrow Loco Museum and Museum of Rail Travel, has also reopened its educational facilities.

Bahamas Locomotive Society, which runs Ingrow Loco, was open to reopen with grants of £61,500 from the lottery, £2,000 from Keighley Town Council, and £1,000 from Yorkshire Museums Development.

Chairman Keith Whitmore said: “We are really grateful for this generous support and for the confidence shown in what we do.

“I am delighted our museum is now open again with limited numbers allowed into the building at one time, and our staff are now back at Ingrow having been on furlough since the middle of March. The museum will be open on days when the railway is in operation, currently on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.”

The Museum of Rail Travel, run by the Vintage Carriages Trust, has reopened its museum, shop and magazine room, daily from 11am to 4pm. As well as hand sanitising procedures and social distancing, visitors must give their name and contact number, and wear their own face mask.

A spokesman said: “The use of disposable gloves (provided by us) will be required if you wish to browse our shop and magazine room. There is no need to pre-book unless you intend to arrive as a large party and are not part of a social bubble.”

A vintage bus will connect Ingrow West with Oxenhope and Haworth railway stations, and Changegate at the top of Haworth.

Visit railstory.co.uk further information.