For its 2024 fundraising campaign, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) has decided it should be named after its long-serving Director of Mechanical Engineering Paul Middleton, who is known as ‘Piglet’ and has worked on the railway since he was 16-years old.

Like most heritage railways, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway needs a continuous income in order to keep its trains running, so for 2024 it has come up with the catchy title ‘Piglet’s Journey’. It hopes that the catchy title will encourage its loyal supporters to support the vital fundraising initiative.

An added incentive to join Piglet’s Journey fund is that when anyone makes a donation, will be automatically entered into a prize draw, where one lucky winner will be able to enjoy free travel on the railway for a year. Among other prizes being offered in a bid to keep Britain’s busiest steam railway on track is the chance to attend an exclusive event hosted by Paul ‘Piglet’ Middleton.

All donations are welcome, and besides the prize draw for free travel on the railway for a year, specific donations also become eligible for other benefits:

• A £25 donation will see the donor’s name feature on the railway’s new station artwork;
• A £120 donation sponsorship of a North Yorkshire Moors Railway apprentice, and the donor will receive a personal letter of thanks and quarterly updates from the team;
• For a £500 donation the donor will receive two tickets to an exclusive event hosted by Piglet and a chance to have a chat with him

Details about how to make a donation to the fundraising appeal and further information about the railway can be found at www.nymr.co.uk/pages/category/piglets-journey.

Julia Clark, Director of Fundraising at the NYMR said, “We took a huge financial hit during COVID-19 and since then, with running costs continuing to soar, the railway has struggled to recover. The NYMR is a bridge between the past and the future. For years, we’ve transported passengers through the spectacular and timeless Yorkshire scenery – but we need to ensure that this journey continues for future generations.

“Our much-loved Piglet has worked tirelessly here since he was 16 years old. He’s instrumental in sharing the magic of steam with our visitors but can’t take the NYMR into the future without your help. That’s why he’s calling on you to support this special fundraising appeal to help raise the vital funds we need.”

Paul Middleton (aka Piglet), Director of Mechanical Engineering at the NYMR said, “Running a railway like this is challenging in terms of the costs involved and the skills required. For example, vital running costs cover the three tonnes of coal per day each locomotive requires, most tender engines have 12 brake blocks which have to be changed every other month, not to mention the job of re-profiling a locomotive’s tyres to ensure the train runs safely. These are all highly costly and that’s before all the funding needed to train and equip our drivers, firemen, cleaners, fitters and the rest of the team.

“There are many different opportunities for you to support our campaign and weave your name into our future. Rest assured that every single contribution will help guarantee that the steam never runs out, the stories never fade, and the magic of the moors remains accessible to everyone.”