A landslide in January disrupted services and buses were drafted in to ferry passengers from Hebden Bridge to Brighouse and to cover the Halifax to Huddersfield service.

Around 100,000 tons of material had to be moved to stabilise banking after 40 tons of trees and earth slipped down the bank at Elland. Passengers were initially warned services could be disrupted for six months.

But engineers have worked around the clock and, barring a major hiccup, expect normal services to be resumed next week.

"Weather and conditions permitting, the blockade on the line to allow bank slip works to be completed at Elland will run until 23.59 on Sunday," said a Network Rail spokeswoman.

"Further works will be required after this time but should be completed without any disruption to passenger services." The news has been welcomed by the Halifax and District Rail Action Group, which has offered to help promote services from Brighouse.

"It is good news the line is going to be back up and running," said chairman Stephen Waring.

"We now want to see Network Rail and Metro relaunch services, particularly the recently-introduced Hebden Bridge to Leeds via Brighouse service.

"It is the fastest form of transport from one end of the district to the other and we want to see traffic built up on that route."

Mr Waring said Hadrag members had delivered timetables promoting the Hebden Bridge to Leeds service and would be prepared to help again.

They would also be calling for special price offers to attract new passengers in the near future.

He said services through to Leeds from the Calder Valley were attractive for commuters and shoppers.

And he said travelling by train the other way should be encouraged.

"It is about 20 minutes from Hebden Bridge to Brighouse and vice versa and you can't do that time by road," said Mr Waring.

"We would like to see more promotion of services throughout Calderdale."