Railway Children star books an anniversary return ticket

Sally Thomsett, who played Phyllis in the iconic film, will be back at its location on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway in West Yorkshire's Bront Country for a special bank holiday gala on May 1, 2 and 3 as the historic railway marks the 40th anniversary of the filming.

The actor will be at Oakworth Station, location for many of the scenes, where a series of events will celebrate the film which has made the volunteer-run heritage railway famous.

Visitors will be able to climb aboard the famous Green Dragon steam locomotive, take a cream tea in the Old Gentleman's Saloon, or even become Mr Perks for the day – taking on the role played by Bernard Cribbins in the film as the porter at Oakworth Station, who befriended the children.

An intensive service of steam trains will operate throughout the weekend from Keighley to Ingrow West, Damems, Oakworth itself and on to Haworth and the railway's terminus at Oxenhope.

Visitors to the railway will also be able to step aboard many of the locomotives and coaches used in the film, participate in a Railway Children guided tour to the filming locations and see some of the famous scenes from the film being recreated on Oakworth station.

The links with the film, which was based on Edith Nesbit's book, continue to draw thousands of people to the railway from across the world each year.

Throughout the weekend it will be possible to enjoy a ride in the guard's van (brake van) at Keighley Station, and on Saturday and Sunday visitors can ride behind the horses from Bradford Industrial Museum's Horses At Work collection at Ingrow West station.

At Ingrow's Museum of Rail Travel, the Vintage Carriages Trust is staging an exhibition of the filming of The Railway Children.

The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, which is run almost entirely by unpaid volunteers, was the first complete standard gauge branch line to be re-opened by enthusiasts in the UK.

For a full list of activities taking place during this weekend's gala at the railway visit www.kwvr. co.uk.