The South Devon Railway has announced that they have launched an emergency appeal as they suspend all trains due to the coronavirus crisis.

Currently, it is unlikely that the South Devon Railway will resume train operations until at least halfway through the operating season.

This, therefore, means a potential loss of £500,000 of revenue for the railway.

As with other railways, this couldn’t have come at a worse time for the South Devon Railway, with trains stopping just a few days after they had begun after the winter maintenance period.

The SDR has, therefore, launched a video SOS appeal. The appeal has got off to a good start, with £20,000 being raised by the railway’s support organisation, The South Devon Railway Association.

The South Devon Railway is the oldest heritage railway in the West Country and contributes around £15 million to Devon’s economy, carrying around 100,000 passengers each year.

Additionally, the SDR also has two bridges that need urgent repairs, track work needs completing, carriages need overhauling and it has just come out of a winter closure having invested in the track and infrastructure.

To donate, please go to their website www.southdevonrailway.co.uk/fundraising or http://virginmoneygiving.com/fund/sdr-sos.

Additionally, the SDR has set up a Facebook donation page which can be viewed by clicking here.

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