Edith Nesbit’s The Railway Children has always been on my classics radar.
Although I wasn’t around for its first adaptation for radio in 1943 nor the first of its T.V. serializations in 1951, I can very vaguely remember as a very small child sitting on my mum’s knee watching the 1957 black and white serialization on BBC Children’s TV followed in 1968 by a second one.

The 1968 version was made more realistic by the filming that took place in Yorkshire and the use of The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway which was replicated in the 1970 film.

For its part of its 2025 Bradford City of Culture celebrations Nesbit’s story has been taken back to its roots and re-worked for this event.

An immersive and nostalgic piece of theatre the production takes place in a purpose-built auditorium, where the audience sit on each side of the train track, in an adapted engine shed at Oxenhope Station.

The journey begins at Keighley Station when you board a special vintage steam train that chuggs along for 20 minutes along the Keightley and Worth Valley Railway taking you to Oxenhope and your final destination.

But this is no ordinary steam train but L&Y 957 that played the part of The Green Dragon in the 1970 film of the Railway Children and will again play its part this summer transporting audiences to the show.

The Railway Children is directed by Damian Cruden, is a revival of his production first seen at York’s National Railway Museum in 2008, and at London’s Waterloo station in 2010 and features a real steam train.

Cruden’s production is seamless and has pace. The scenes between the family members are beautifully intimate but at times one cannot help wondering if some of the activity on the platform by the ensemble is at times a little too much spoiling the atmosphere created by the other characters in previous scenes.

Adapted by Mike Kenny, the story stays more or less true to the original with the exception of a few tweaks and alterations that have been made to make it more, as he put its “Bradford friendly”.

Set and Costume Designer Joanna Scotcher has pulled off an artistic miracle with the set mixing manual with modern technology with highly successful results – no easy task. Whilst Richard G Jones lighting and Craig Vear’s sound design is technically perfect

Set in 1905, The Railway Children tells the story of three children who are forced to move from wealthy Edwardian London to rural Yorkshire after their father, an official in the Foreign Office, is falsely imprisoned on charges of espionage.

The contrast from their previous life is stark but they find solace in their new surroundings. Living in newly impoverished circumstances, they find adventure and hope on the railway that passes nearby – it becomes their lifeline.

The children befriend Perks the Porter and wave to passengers passing by on the train to London. Adventures unfold as they explore the tracks, the nearby tunnel and the trains. Their days are no longer dull instead they are filled with excitement and discovery.

But one question remains. What happened to their father? The children yearn for answers and hope one day he will step off the train.

Farah Ashraf’s characterization of Roberta achieves the perfect balance of a the older child who is rapidly moving towards adulthood. She is sympathetic, strong and knows her own mind but still has an air of naivety towards life.

Raj Digva’s has a difficult role as Peter who is usually portrayed as very much younger. At first he seems to struggle a little with situations he is involved in but soon he finds his own perfect level of characterization and gives a great interpretation.

As Phyllis, Jessica Kaur has some wonderful moments in the story. Kaur is impish, delivers some wonderful comedy moments to perfection and yet retains that childlike innocence.

All three blend well together and make a formidable close knit convincing team.

Paul Hawkyard doubles as both the Father and the Russian refugee – Schepansky, taken in by the family when he arrives ill at the station giving a performance bordering on brilliance. I always marvel at Hawkyard’s versatility having seen him in such a diverse variety of roles from York Theatre Royal pantomime to serious dramas.

Asha Kingsley’s portrayal of the mother is emotive and she creates a degree of sensitivity and strength perfectly in front of the children.

As Perks Graeme Hawley is the glue that holds the show together. He adds momentum, comedy and energy exactly at the times when its needed.

Moray Treadwell’s – Old Gentleman is character acting par excellence and played exactly as it should be right down to his stance and walk, white gloves and broadsheet newspaper.
Completing the cast are Elianne Byrne (Mrs Perks) Zoe Lambert (Mrs Viney), Chris Hannon (Doctor/Butler), Max Gallagher (Jim/District Superintendent) and Alice Proctor (Between Maid), as well as a Youth Ensemble drawn from locally auditioned young participants.

But the night belongs to the four technicians who slide playing areas seamlessly up and down the track – emerging sometimes from underneath these platforms. They move carriages up and down the track with such precision, skill and without a pause to the action. These technicians are a shining example of precision, timing and above all co-ordinated teamwork.

However the star of the show is the full size steam engine that steams into the auditorium just before the interval and again complete with carriages at the very end.

The Railway Children will capture your imagination from its very start to the end. This literary locomotive will keep on steaming along all through the summer dispensing a great feel good factor.

The Railway Children – Bradford 2025 City of Culture presented with York Theatre Royal in Partnership with Worth Valley.

Runs until 7th September – Don’t be left on the platform book today at bradford2025.co.uk