A new nationwide campaign has recently got underway led by the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR), to raise awareness of the many heritage railways we have across the UK.
The new campaign is being undertaken in collaboration with over 35 other heritage railways and organisations over the length and breadth of the UK, including railways in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Named ‘Love Your Railway’, the six-week summer campaign which runs from 26th July to 5th September, aims to highlight not only the important work heritage railways do with regards to conservation, education and research, but also illustrate how they have all been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic when it comes to reduced visitor capacities and lost revenue which has affected the railways’ income. The six themed weeks cover heritage, education, volunteers, family, sustainability and the future.
Some of the more famous heritage railways NYMR is collaborating with includes The Bluebell Railway, Crich Tramway Village, Severn Valley Railway and Snowdon Mountain Railway.
Chris Price, General Manager at NYMR, said: “We’re optimistic and excited about the summer ahead, but the last 12 months have been like no other year, with lockdowns, reduced capacities due to social distancing, and staff and volunteers falling victim to the virus.
“There are more than 150 operational heritage railways, running trains over nearly 600 miles of track, which protect, conserve and bring to life part of the nation’s rich cultural heritage – giving enjoyment and learning to thousands of people every year.
“We want to do all we can to raise awareness of every heritage railway across the country and the challenges we face; all the participating railways will be posting their own social content across the six themed weeks, but we also want to encourage the public to get involved by sharing their favourite memories and inspiring imagery from their visits, using the hashtag #LoveYourRailway.”
The following is a complete list of all the heritage railways and organisations participating in the ‘Love Your Railway’ campaign.
Apedale Valley Light Railway, Bluebell Railway, Bodmin & Wenford Railway, Bure Valley Railway, Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway, Colne Valley Railway, Crich Tramway Village, East Somerset Railway, Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways, Foxfield Railway, Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway, Great Central Railway, Head of Steam, Darlington, Isle of Man Steam Railway, Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, Keith & Dufftown Railway, Lathalmond Railway Museum, Lincolnshire Wolds Railway, Lynton & Barnstaple Railway, Mid Suffolk Light Railway, Northampton & Lamport Railway, North Dorset Railway, Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway, The Postal Museum, Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway, Severn Valley Railway, Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway, Snowdon Mountain Railway, South Devon Railway, South Tynedale Railway, Spa Valley Railway, Stephenson Steam Railway, Vale of Rheidol Railway, West Somerset Railway, Whitehead Railway Museum and the Whitwell & Reepham Railway.
For more information on the ‘Love Your Railway’ campaign, please visit: www.nymr.co.uk.
Author Bio:
Simon Burrell is Editor of Our Man On The Ground, a member of The British Guild of Travel Writers and professional photographer.
Photographs courtesy of North Yorkshire Moors Railway
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