Moorsline needs £300K to complete Yorkshire’s Magnificent Journey
NORTH Yorkshire Moors Railway officials have toasted members of the public who donated £440,000 towards its emergency crisis appeal.
The appeal, set up at the start of the first lockdown last spring to support the not-for-profit charity during the pandemic, has now closed – but supporters are being asked to dig deep into their pockets again.
Britain’s most popular heritage line in terms of passenger numbers now needs to raise £300,000 to complete its £9.8 million Yorkshire’s Magnificent Journey (YMJ) project, hopefully by April.
NYMR general manager Chris Price said: “Spring 2020 was a bleak time. When we should have been opening our doors for the start of the season, we were having to lock down the railway, not knowing when we would run services again.”
Support
“The generosity of our members and the local community has been staggering, raising an incredible amount which will help get us back on our feet,” he said. “From the whole team at the railway, thank you! We’ve had phenomenal support, and this funding has enabled us to retain our people and keep operating with plans for the future.
“The NYMR is extremely important to the region, both economically and culturally. Funding throughout the pandemic has meant that the Yorkshire’s Magnificent Journey (YMJ) project can carry on. This includes building its conservation and heritage apprenticeship programmes, lineside ecological conservation work, fuss-free access for disabled visitors, expanding the railway’s learning offer, and reaching out to individuals, groups and communities to share the charity’s passion for the history of the region through steam travel.”
As a result of the pandemic, restricted opening saw the railway generate only £1.5 million of its expected annual £6 million income.
In addition to the appeal, the NYMR was awarded £1.9 million from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund, administered by the Arts Council. The railway has also been helped with the reassurance of backing by its bankers, Santander, as part of the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded £4.4 million to YMJ. It, along with the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership and other sources, have provided half the money needed to finance the project. The railway is funding the rest.
Chris said: “We’re nearing the total we need for the project, which is testament to the generosity of people who have given money to us.
“However, we do need one final push for people to dip their hands in their pockets to help us reach the total.”
Progress
The YMJ scheme will see the massive new carriage shed north of Pickering completed shortly, allowing all of the line’s rolling stock to be housed under one roof for the first time.
One carriage is being turned into an education facility for school visits, while four others will be equipped with improved disabled access. The project will also aim to boost volunteer numbers.
The railway is gearing up to reopen at Easter as usual, but is reviewing the situation, along with its diary of special events on a regular basis because of the lockdown.
To donate to the YMJ appeal or for more information, visit the NYMR website at www.nymr.co.uk