Major track repairs have begun on the Wensleydale Railway as volunteers push ahead with plans to restore passenger services between Leyburn and Redmire by 2028.
The five-mile stretch has been closed to passengers since 2020 because of the deteriorating condition of the track and other infrastructure, with some sections dating from before the First World War.
Around £250,000 has already been spent on the railway’s Return to Redmire project since work began in 2021.
The latest phase will concentrate on the approximately 2.5-mile section between Leyburn and Wensley and is expected to take three to four months.
Specialist contractor Lampitt Rail Services has been brought in to support the work, which includes relaying a 660ft section of track west of Leyburn Station.
Some of the materials being used were donated after being recovered from the former Eggborough power station site.
Sleepers will also be replaced, chairs re-ferruled and track re-ballasted, while further drainage improvements will be carried out.
A farm level crossing will receive a new rubber crossing deck, with the track running through it relaid using concrete sleepers.
The railway hopes the Leyburn to Wensley section will be brought up to the required operational standard by the end of this year.
Attention will then turn to the remaining 2.5 miles between Wensley and Redmire.
A detailed survey has identified significant track and sleeper replacement, ballast renewal, drainage and earthworks improvements and the replacement of several farm level crossings.
The railway estimates this final phase will cost around £420,000 and is now seeking funding.
Nick Keegan, fundraising and marketing manager at Wensleydale Railway, said the project was approaching its halfway point.
“The railway’s Board has set a goal to restore passenger trains to Redmire by 2028,” he said.
“There is a huge amount of work ahead to achieve this ambitious target, and we are pursuing funding opportunities to raise the remaining £420,000 required to complete this major project.”
Mr Keegan said reopening the line was also intended to support tourism and the wider Wensleydale economy.
“Reopening five miles of railway is not the end goal. We want to unlock Redmire’s potential,” he added.
“We see this work as the foundation for a much wider regional development opportunity, with the railway playing a pivotal role in connecting Leyburn, Redmire and the wider Wensleydale visitor economy.”
Further information about the project and fundraising appeal is available from Wensleydale Railway’s Return to Redmire campaign.
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