Wensleydale Railway has completed essential track repairs as part of its plans to restore passenger services to Redmire.
Work began in mid-September on a 0.75-mile section of track at Wensley, close to the site of the former Wensley Station.
The earthworks which carried the railway along the foot of the cliffs below Leyburn Shawl had eroded and material had fallen into the adjacent fields.
Some sleeper ends were left exposed and unsupported.
The railway hired the services of a specialist railway contractor, Lampitt Rail Services, to undertake the repair work, with support from its operations staff and infrastructure volunteers.
The work included rebuilding and widening sections of the eroded embankment and slewing some of the track into a more stable position.
The railway currently runs services from Leeming Bar to Leyburn.
The 5.5-mile section of the railway between Leyburn and Redmire has been closed to the public since 2020.
This has been due to the deteriorating condition of the track and infrastructure on this section of the railway.
Engineers say some of the track is life-expired and dates back to before the First World War.
Russell Lord, director of infrastructure at Wensleydale Railway PLC, said: “Completing this project is a major step forward in our plans to restore passenger services to Redmire.
“Our goal to return to Redmire in 2025 is an ambitious one and we face a few challenges ahead.
“However, we are determined to succeed and will shortly be focusing our attention on the section of track west of Wensley Station towards Redmire Station.”
Nick Keegan, fundraising and marketing manager at Wensleydale Railway, said: “The response to our latest fundraising appeal has been excellent and demonstrates not only the incredible generosity of people, but also their genuine desire to see this beautiful scenic section of our railway once again carrying passengers.”
He added: “I would like to thank everyone who has donated and made this work possible. We very much rely on the kindness and generosity of our charitable Trust members, shareholders and the general public to keep our community railway running. Your support is greatly appreciated.”
Toby Lampitt, director of Lampitt Rail Services, said: “I was very pleased to be able to support Wensleydale Railway and their plans to restore passenger services to Redmire Station.
“This project was completed over a five-week period, and I look forward to providing further support to the railway in the future.”
Wensleydale Railway has set itself the goal of re-opening the line between Leyburn and Redmire stations by September 2025.
This is to coincide with the 200th anniversary celebrations of the World’s first passenger service on the Stockton & Darlington Railway in 1825. In support of this goal and focused on the Wensley track repair work, The Wensleydale Railway Association (Trust) launched a fundraising appeal in July 2024 that has raised approximately £37,000 to date.
Donations towards the reopening work can be made here.
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