New Railway Children play has real steam train

The new production takes place a a specially adapted theatre in an engine shed on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway

A unique performance of The Railway Children will see audience members transported to the early 1900s and board an actual steam train, as part of Bradford's UK City of Culture celebrations.

The stage adaptation of the classic children's novel will feature a locomotive that travels through the middle of the stage.

The show begins when ticket-holders board the train at Keighley Station and then travel the full length of the historic Keighley and Worth Valley Railway - the five-mile route which featured in the 1970 film adaptation of the book.

When they reach the end of the line at Oxenhope they will find a purpose-built auditorium within the station's engine shed.

A real steam train is being used in the special production as part of Bradford City of Culture 2025

Edith Nesbit's novel, published in 1906, tells the story of three children whose lives change dramatically after they move from a comfortable townhouse to a small Yorkshire cottage near a railway line.

Graeme Hawley, who plays Mr Perks in the show, said it was "amazing" to bring the show to Bradford.

"The space is incredible, with a train track running through it, the audience are inches away from you - it's a beautiful piece of work," he said.

Farah Ashraf, who plays eldest child Roberta, agreed the show was about "really establishing a relationship with the audience" who will be "literally here in the space with us".

"It's talking to them, looking at them, I'm excited for them to experience what that's like," she added.

The Railway Children was adapted into a film in 1970

The production is directed by Damian Cruden - whose previous productions at the National Railway Museum in York and London Waterloo Station earned widespread acclaim.

Earlier this year thousands of young people applied to be cast members after the organisers of Bradford's City of Culture launched a search for around 30 children aged eight to 15 to take part in the production.

The call said no prior acting experience was needed to join a community ensemble cast, "just confidence, enthusiasm, and a love for performing".

The play runs between 15 July and 7 September and is a co-production between the York Theatre Royal and Bradford 2025.

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