Wensleydale Railway has appointed its first female train driver, long-term volunteer Sue Threadgold from Harrogate in North Yorkshire.

Sue, who became the Railway’s first female guard in 2018, recently passed her driver training and is now qualified to drive the class 142 and class 143 diesel multiple unit passenger trains that run on the Railway.

Wensleydale Railway, which now has three female guards, runs heritage diesel train services for twenty-two miles between Scruton in the Vale of Mowbray and Leyburn on the outskirts of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Annual RailAdvent Plus members receive a 15% discount on ticket prices.

Sue has been a volunteer at Wensleydale Railway for eight years, initially training as a crossing keeper. She began her driver training in 2022.

Sue said, “My goal when I joined, was to become a train driver, so I am really happy to have fulfilled my ambition and I thank everyone at the railway, who has helped me achieve this!

“I would encourage more people to get involved in their local heritage railway. There are a wide variety of volunteer roles available, to suit all interests and abilities. It’s really rewarding to be part of a great team, helping to keep our history and heritage alive for the public to enjoy!”

In an ORR podcast last year, heritage volunteer Joanne Crompton said about women heritage railway volunteers, “There’s definitely progress beginning to happen. The heritage industry is behind the mainline rail industry. We can’t get away from that fact..”

Wensleydale Railway welcomes new volunteers, and asks them to get in touch with volunteer coordinator Clare Bell at [email protected].