The importance of heritage railways is being celebrated in North Yorkshire as part of a national campaign.
North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) is a leader of the third annual ‘Love Your Railway’ celebration, which brings together more than 60 organisations to showcase the importance of the sector’s work.
Participating organisations from as far afield as Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, Snowdonia and the Lake District are involved in the campaign which shines a spotlight on heritage railway organisations, encouraging visitors to support them this summer.
Spearheaded by the NYMR, ‘Love Your Railway’ is a six-week campaign which runs from 5 June to 16 July, with weekly themes covering conservation, education, and research.
NYMR 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.
Altogether, 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.
Chris Price, General Manager at NYMR, said: “For the past two years, we’ve been so thrilled by the response to Love Your Railway, as it is bigger and better each year.
“For the first year there were over 50 heritage railways taking part in the campaign, and last year we saw nearly 100, which is phenomenal, so we have high hopes for 2023.
“This year, we have some exciting new ideas and elements planned for the campaign, and love that even more organisations have come together to help us spread the word.
“The aim of the campaign is simple – there are more than 150 operational heritage railways, 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 and we want to do all we can to raise awareness of every heritage railway across the country.”
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