There is a specific kind of magic found in the tactile nature of a vintage postcard. It isn't just a photograph; it is a frozen moment of social history, a physical link between a traveller’s experience and a loved one’s mailbox. Today, I’m diving into a beautiful piece from my collection: a postcard featuring the Mytholmes Viaduct on the legendary Keighley & Worth Valley Railway (KWVR).
This isn’t just a scenic shot of a train; it’s a window into the "Brontë Country" of West Yorkshire, carrying a personal message that helps us pinpoint a specific era of British rail preservation and domestic travel.
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| Mytholmes Viaduct, Keighley and Worth Valley Railway |
The Scene: Mytholmes Viaduct and USATC 2-8-0 No. 5820
The front of the postcard captures a powerful image of industrial heritage set against the rolling, verdant hills of the Worth Valley. The locomotive at the head of the train is instantly recognizable to rail enthusiasts: the USATC S160 Class 2-8-0 No. 5820.
Affectionately known by enthusiasts as "Big Jim," this locomotive has a fascinating history. Built by Lima in the United States in 1943 for the war effort, it eventually found its way to the KWVR in the late 1960s. In this image, we see it in its grey "transportation" livery, crossing the Mytholmes Viaduct. The viaduct itself sits at the picturesque confluence of the River Worth and Bridgehouse Beck, positioned between the stations of Oakworth and Haworth.
Behind the locomotive, the train consists of vintage carriages, likely "Suburban" stock, trailing steam into the Yorkshire sky. In the background, the looming presence of a traditional Yorkshire textile mill serves as a reminder of the industry that originally built these valleys and the railways that served them.
Dating the Moment: When was this sent?
Dating a postcard involves a mix of postal evidence and visual clues. Let’s look at the "detective work" for this piece:
The Stamp: The postcard features a light green 12½p Machin stamp. In the UK, the 12½p rate for first-class inland letters (and postcards) was introduced in January 1981 and lasted until February 1982.
The Postmark: While slightly faint, the circular date stamp (CDS) shows a "27" and "JUL" (July). Given the stamp price, this points strongly to July 27, 1981.
The Content: The message mentions a "thunderstorm" following a trip to Haworth and the railway. A quick look at historical weather records for West Yorkshire often reveals stormy summers during the early 80s, fitting the narrative perfectly.
Based on the 12½p stamp and the 1981/82 rate window, we can confidently date the mailing of this card to July 1981.
A Message from the Past: "Sampled the K&WVR Today"
The reverse of the card contains a charming, handwritten note from "Mum and Dad" to Mr. Nigel Thomas in Sevenoaks, Kent. It reads:
"Dear Nigel. Sampled the K&WVR today, but not before we did the Brontë culture bit at Haworth. Still hot, but got a bit damp in a thunderstorm just as we got back from our railway trip. Save the card for Douglas to see – we thought he would like it. Love from Mum + Dad."
This short note perfectly encapsulates the quintessential British summer holiday in the 1980s. Haworth, famous for the Brontë Parsonage Museum, remains a "culture" staple, while the KWVR provides the nostalgic "sample" of steam travel. The mention of "Douglas" suggests a child or perhaps a fellow rail enthusiast who would appreciate the technical prowess of No. 5820.
The Significance of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway
The KWVR is one of the most famous heritage railways in the world, largely thanks to its starring role in the 1970 film The Railway Children. By the time this postcard was sent in 1981, the railway was firmly established as a premier tourist destination.
The Mytholmes Viaduct, where this photo was taken, is a favourite spot for photographers. It represents the engineering challenges of the Victorian era, where stone arches were required to span the steep, erratic becks of the Pennines. Seeing a massive American-built locomotive like the S160 traversing this English landscape highlights the wonderful "melting pot" of history that preserved railways represent.
Why We Collect
Postcards like this are more than just paper; they are survivors. This card travelled from the rainy hills of Keighley to the "Garden of England" in Kent, survived over forty years in a collection, and now serves as a digital record of a summer day in 1981. It reminds us of a time when we communicated through ink and stamps, and when the whistle of a steam engine was the highlight of a family holiday.
Whether you are a railway enthusiast (a "basher" or a "spotter"), a local historian, or a collector of "deltiology" (postcard collecting), this piece from the Mytholmes Viaduct is a beautiful tribute to the enduring power of steam.
