Railway Children cast interviewed
This year marks the 40th anniversary commemorating the film release of The Railway Children, filmed at the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. Based on the children's book by Edith Nesbit, and adapted for the screen several times, the 1970 film version is the best known and most iconic version.
To celebrate, Optimum Releasing are restoring the original film, ready to distribute a digitally re-mastered version across the UK later in the year. The newly restored version will premiere at the Bradford International Film Festival on 28th March, before it is re-released in cinemas nationwide in April, followed by a DVD version in shops from May.
Interviews with local cast members who featured in the original film alongside Jenny Agutter, Bernard Cribbins, Sally Thomsett and Ann Cryer were filmed yesterday (Thursday 4 February) at the site of one of the original sets, Oakworth Station, Haworth. Cast members gathered to share their memories and experiences of making the film on camera and included Graham Mitchell, who played the guard on the ‘Old Gentleman's' train and several members of the Haworth band who played on the station platform. Main stars of the filming were of course the beloved ‘Green Dragon' and the original ‘Old Gentleman's Saloon'.
Interviews with the original stars, other cast and crew based outside of the region will take place in London and will form a special bonus feature to accompany a DVD version of the digitally re-mastered version, available in shops from May.
There will be a series of unique and special events and activities taking place throughout the year as part of The Railway Children 40th Anniversary celebrations. Keighley Worth Valley Railway will be holding a three day event at Oakworth Station over the May Bank Holiday (1-3 May) to coincide with The Railway Children celebrations and the bygone era of steam. Visitors will be able to climb aboard ‘The Green Dragon', blow the whistle of ‘Sir Berkeley', take cream tea in the Old Gents Saloon and wave to The Railway Children as you pass by their fence.
Visitors will also be able to take part in a special guided tour of the films' locations and get the opportunity to relieve the story through a series of re-enactments of some of the films' most famous scenes running throughout the weekend.
More information on The Railway Children Gala event in May
