As announced here Bachmann Europe have announced they are to produce the L&NWR 0-6-2T Webb coal tank available in approximately 18 months. For the last few years Bachmann have held events for the members of the Bachmann Collectors Club and this year chose the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway on the 30th August. If there isn't enough speculation and wishlisting on RMweb virtually everyone had missed the clues to this one; Bachmann followed their announcements for the 2014/2015 catalogue with the caveat that more announcements were to come, this was shortly followed by the announcement of the GNR Ivatt Atlantic as an exclusive edition for Locomotion Models and there was even an invitation to Bachmann Colcetors' Club members to the event at the K&WVR where a significant announcement was to be made. Following previous tie-ins between location of the events and announcements it was obvious that it would be a loco closely associated with the K&WVR; still there was no speculation or chatter.

Generally if I'm out in the wide world, especially on a preserved railway, there's generally a poor data signal so I'd pre-prepared the announcement hoping that the cards were dealt the way I expected. Thankfully it was a wise decision as mobile and wi-fi signals miraculously disappeared at the given moment.

Arriving early it was a chance to have a mooch around and take a look in the display cabinets which had been set up in Ingrow's loco shed and there was a chance to get first sight of the EP sample of the forthcoming grain wagon and a livery sample of the Railway Children train pack which obviously has close associations with the K&WVR.

I'd invited Old Gringo as something of an L&NWR aficionado along given the subject matter so he could help me out with more background info. The early morning Met-Camm DMU pottered back and forth rasping and smoking its way toward Ingrow's short tunnel. John declared this tunnel a bit rubbish and obviously another Midland Railway bodge. It's of interest to modellers though as it doesn't have much above it and hence any reason for being there and shows there is a prototype for all those tunnels we see with no land of any height above the tunnel.

The Collectors Club members were allocated to groups for tours of the sheds at Ingrow, Haworth and Oxenhope and the first group looked around Ingrow shed and the Bachmann display before being asked to be back at the station for 11.45 to await an announcement.

MC Lovett took to his podium to thank the railway and the Bahamas Locomotive Society for their support and assistance in developing the model as he duly gazed expectantly for Webb Coal Tank to burst forth from the tunnel on cue. It was slightly delayed but all the same it created a statement that here was another attractive pre-grouping design which Bachmann will tackle. I'm sure many of those gathered will be wanting on of the Coal Tanks after a day like this.

We were treated to a run down to Keighley and dropping off groups at Haworth and Oxehope on the return run for their tours. Old Gringo and I considered our options and that another run behind this delightful loco was in order as we could always do the other things on a return visit and as the sun broke through there was a chance to lose ourselves a little on a virtually empty train and experience some spirited running.

Graham Hubbard and Dennis Lovett pose with the commemorative headboard.

We realised at this point there'd be an opportunity for the impressive sight of the train working non-stop through stations including Oakworth.

The service train was in the care of the S160; a fine sight!

John came suitably attired for a day in Yorkshire but I don't think he's got the headwear etiquette sorted yet.

We then headed off lineside to watch the Coal Tank through the level crossing at Oakworth. Ahead of time we looked inside the station and kindly 'Mr Perks' let us have an improptu look around inside the booking office which is a superb display of Edwardiana. If you're ever there on a quiet day it's worth seeing.

I felt the cold hand of CK on my shoulder as we came across half a pound of sausages in a box, it was of course of interest to us as BCB modellers.

Can there be any better way to spend a late summer afternoon than watching a quiet station with a rare treat of a steady climb by the tank?

A wonderful day was topped off by a visit to see Jason and Sofia and drop off a bottle of bubbly congratulating them on their recent wedding and a tour of Bacup for John who left Jason's clutching yet another book for inspiration. Jason's our next cover girl for the October issue of BRM where you can read all about Bacup.