The Wensleydale Railway in Lower Swaledale in North Yorkshire, one of the UK’s longest heritage lines, has launched an appeal to support its ongoing plans to improve its infrastructure and buildings as well as to develop its education, heritage, and community programmes

With 22 miles of track and infrastructure to maintain, the railway is hoping to invest in projects that will improve the railway’s future. This year’s appeal follows the railway’s successful “Return to Redmire” appeal last year, which so far has raised £50,000.

Recent improvements to the railway include relaying track at Aiskew, and resurfacing the platform at Leeming Bar station. The railway has also benefitted from a donation of 2.5 miles of track from SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK in Teesside.

This summer’s appeal will also help support work being taken to restore services westwards to Wensley, which is part of the railway’s plans to return passenger services to Redmire.

It has been over 3 years since passenger trains last ran to Redmire, and the railway is working to reopen the section between Leyburn and Redmire but is faced with some major problems as the condition of track and infrastructure is very poor and rapidly deteriorating.

In its current state, the railway cannot safely run passenger trains over that section of the line, and before it reopens considerable vegetation must be removed, the line reballasted, and drainage renewed.

Donations to the fundraising appeal can be made online at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/summerappeal2023

Nick Keegan, Fundraising and Marketing Manager, Wensleydale Railway said: “We have a small, volunteer-led management team that is focussed on developing our railway. We are committed to improving our railway for customers and we want to secure its future for the next generation to enjoy. This takes time, hard work and funding. We need help to realise our ambitious plans.”

He added: “As recent news announcements have demonstrated, we continue to make significant progress in our improvement plans and we urge people to join us and support our latest appeal.”