The North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) is continuing to raise funds for the repair of its Bridge 42, and has launched a new offer to donors.
The Railway will give a free limited-edition pin badge with exclusive artwork of Bridge 42 to anyone who donates £25 or more.
The bridge is located between Grosmont and Whitby, and is essential to the railway operating its full service from Pickering to Whitby. An inspection of the bridge in December revealed that urgent work was required, and led to the cancellation of winter excursions.
Detailed inspections revealed that Bridge 42 needs to be stabilised temporarily, in order to guarantee safety and operational reliability. This will allow trains to cross the bridge during the 2026 season.
NYMR will draw up a full repair programme for the bridge, with work to be carried out over the winter of 2026/27.
The work required could cost about £800,000 in total. Since launching a fundraising appeal in January, the Railway has raised £215,000 towards this.
Printmaker David Cockayne saw news of the fundraiser and offered to help. Limited edition prints by Cockayne will soon be available to buy online and from shops along the NYMR line. He works from his studio in Leeds, and makes hand-printed linocuts that explore industrial heritage, architecture, and the relationship between built environments and landscape.
More information about the bridge and the fund appeal is available on this web page.
“Bridge 42 is absolutely essential to the future of the railway. This campaign is an affordable way for people to feel part of saving something that really matters. Every donation takes us one step closer to the full repair of the bridge, and we’re hugely grateful to everyone who chooses to support us.
“We are so thankful to David for getting in touch and volunteering his time and expertise to help save Bridge 42, without which we cannot run to Grosmont and Whitby. It’s great to be working with a Yorkshire artist and for our supporters to be able to purchase these stunning limited edition prints and be part of our story to save Bridge 42.”
Laura Strangeway, CEO, North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Responses
“The bridge is located between Grosmont and Whitby…”
I posted a comment previously pointing out that this is incorrect. The bridge is just south of Grosmont Station on the line to Goathland. If it was “between Grosmont and Whitby” it would be in Network Rail territory and not the responsibility of the NYMR
I don’t know why my comment was removed – I hope it’s not because I pointed out a mistake!