North Yorkshire Moors Railway future secured as COVID appeal reaches £440,000

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway has confirmed that its Coronavirus ‘Crisis Appeal’ has been closed after the appeal raised £440,000.

The emergency appeal went live at the start of the Spring 2020 lockdown to raise funds after trains could not operate.

Steam trains continued also thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund grants, and the railway was also awarded a £1.9m Culture Recovery Fund grant.

Chris Price, General Manager at NYMR commented: “It’s an understatement to say that this year has been challenging for us. Whilst we are now feeling more positive, Spring 2020 was a bleak time. When we should have been opening our doors for the start of the season, we were having to lockdown the railway, not knowing when we would run services again.”

“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. 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 railways learning offer and reaching out to individuals, groups and communities to share the charities passion for the history of the region through steam travel.”

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