■ Double Lottery boost for Wensleydale Railway
THE Wensleydale Railway has received a second and much- needed boost from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The 22- mile railway has just been awarded £ 50,000 under the Lottery's Heritage Emergency Fund to help charitable organisations during the Covid- 19 pandemic - following on from a £ 368,000 award to restore Leeming Bar station house.
The latest grant includes £ 29,000 for Mk. 2 carriage restoration in time for this December's Polar Express series. The remainder will be used to provide modern toilet facilities at Leeming Bar, the starting point for most passenger journeys and as a short hop off the
A 1 ( Ml, the railway's gateway to the dale for visitors.
A statement from the railway said:" Originally these essential improvements would have been funded by this season's train ticket income, which is not possible as we are closed due to the global pandemic. This is the fifth time the National Lottery has funded projects at Wensleydale Railway, demonstrating its commitment to our railway and belief in our work:'
The railway's £ 50,000 emergency coronavirus appeal to supporters at www. justgiving. com/ campaign/ emergency match fund appeal had reached around £ 40,000 as we closed for press. A benefactor has offered to match fund the money raised once the target is reached, which mean that with Gift Aid, it will bring in £ 125,000.
Furthermore, a separate appeal by the line's pie to its shareholders has raised £ 20,000.
Despite the pandemic lockdown, the restoration of the station house continues to make progress.
It had been hoped that some aspects of the project would have been undertaken by volunteers, but this was not practical because of the necessary social distancing.
The project has also experienced delays because of shortage of materials.
Before the pandemic, it had been estimated that the project would have been completed within nine months.
The scheme includes the restoration of the station's family accommodation in 1920s style. Once complete, the public will have access to the restored ticket office, waiting rooms and station family's lounge and kitchen.
A wide range of activities with railway themes will be delivered in and from the station house to the public, schools, families and community groups.
Elsewhere, the Lottery awarded a grant of £ 47,000 through its emergency fund to the Nene Valley Railway to help pay bills and wages while the railway is closed and all but two staff have been furloughed.
The railway's acting general manager Kim Shaw said:" Thanks to the National Lottery and its players, we now have a fighting chance of being able to welcome visitors back to the railway when we are allowed to reopen.
"We are extremely grateful to everyone who has donated to our emergency appeal and would warmly welcome further contributions:'
➔ Donation may be made via nvr. org. uk/ product. php/ 164/ Alsob enefitingw, ith £ 25,200f rom the Lottery'se mergencyfu nd, i st he Welshpoo& l LlanfairL ightR ailway, whichh ada lreadyr aisedm oret han £ 40,000f rom publicd onationsto help keep it going through the lockdown. Detailso f howt o supportt he line through its appeal are at www. wllr. org. uk/ covid- 19- appeal- tracks- recovery