The Mapping Museum research project was created to look at the increase in the number of museums in the UK. As part of this project, Keith Whitmore was interviewed about the Ingro Loco Museum.

Explore more about the Mapping Museum project here and read Whitmore's interview below:

Interview summary

Name of person being interviewed: Keith Whitmore

Location of interview: Ingro Loco Museum

Date of Recording: 16 December 2018

Recording Length: 01:22:08

Name of interviewer: Dr Toby Butler

Description: Ingrow Loco (Museum and Workshop) was established by the Bahamas Locomotive Society, a volunteer society set up in 1967 to save and restore railway locomotives; the museum covers the history of the railways and steam locomotive design and manufacture; it is situated in a large engine shed next to a station on a working heritage railway in Keighley, West Yorkshire.

Summary of main points in interview: Keith Whitmore, chair of the Vintage Carriage Trust, joined the organisation, then the Stockport Bahamas Locomotive Society, when he was 12. The organisation is 50 years old and was based at a depot at Dinting until 1990. They opened to the public regularly and year-round from 1973.

Whitmore describes how train-spotting was a mainstream pastime from the late 1940s and grew until the decline of steam in the late 1960s. The first diesel trains were unreliable so steam trains were made until 1960 and were used by British Rail until 1968. Most steam locos were scrapped but preservation started in 1951 with the Talyllyn railway in Wales. By the late 1960s others had been developed including this railway, which is unusual in that it consists of a whole branch.

Whitmore describes converting the derelict engine shed at Dinting, funded by events and a small Council grant. The Flying Scotsman was on temporary display there in 1973 and was a huge attraction. Private owners and companies donated other engines and they have been loaned locos from the National Railway Museum in York. Around 100 volunteers are involved. The Society has to abide by the same regulations as any railway operator. Support networks include the Transport Trust and the Heritage Railway Association, and there is a House of Commons Heritage Railway Committee which deals with legislative issues like coal use and child protection, and give out annual awards.

In 1990 a new site had to be found and a meeting was organised with Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. A derelict shed was done up with a Bradford Council grant. Recently they have worked more closely with the Vintage Carriage Trust and the KWVR to form Rail Story (joint ticketing and marketing) and they may change title when the museum’s accreditation is renewed. Visitor numbers increased when paid staff were introduced, as it could be open longer hours. Engagement with various new audiences is discussed by Matt Arnold, the Museum Assistant. The Society has successfully attracted younger volunteers in the workshop, but there is a need to involve them in management, and diversity is discussed regarding both volunteers and audience profile.