20 July 2022
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Heritage railways across the country, including North Yorkshire Moors Railway, are joining forces this summer to raise awareness of their importance as a tourism destination, educating and telling the story of Britain’s railways whilst also providing local jobs and volunteer community engagement.
Following the success in 2021, the second annual ‘Love Your Railway’ campaign, brings together over 70 organisations in a nationwide campaign which shines a spotlight on heritage railway organisations, encouraging visitors to support them this summer.
Spearheaded by North Yorkshire Moors Railways, ‘Love Your Railway’ is a six-week campaign which runs over the summer holidays from 25 July to 4 September, with weekly themes covering conservation, education and research.
North Yorkshire Moors Railways and its fellow heritage railways from across the UK carry over 13 million passengers each year, over 560 miles of railway line and contribute £400 million in economic impact. 22,000 volunteers and over 4,000 paid employees keep the UK's heritage railways on track, highlighting the significant role railways played through the industrial revolution.
Stephen Oates, Chief Executive at The Heritage Railway Association, said: “In 2021 ‘Love Your Railway’ secured collaborations from as far afield as Cornwall, Suffolk, North Wales, North East Scotland and Northern Ireland, with over 50 heritage railway organisations taking part. We’re really proud to back this campaign and look forward to seeing many more rail organisations get involved in the inaugural campaign.”
The six themed weeks are:
- History
- Conservation
- Partnerships
- Family
- Volunteers
- Education
Throughout the campaign heritage railways are encouraging visitors and supporters to get involved and share photos and memories of their visits on social media using #LoveYourRailway
Designed to transform the NYMR and secure its future, the £10 million Yorkshire’s Magnificent Journey project (YMJ) is funded by grants from the European Union, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Department of Environment Farming and Rural Affairs, the Local Enterprise Partnership and by donations from the charity’s members and supporters. Projects funded by YMJ include the new carriage stable, a new education coach at Goathland and ongoing lineside conservation projects.
(image courtesy of Charlotte Graham)
