Would you like to see steam services return to Wensleydale Railway?

We know that many of you miss the magic and beauty of steam! We do too, and we would love to run some steam services in the near future. However, there are a number of obstacles to making this dream a reality, and your help is vital.

As you may well have seen, the railway has made incredible progress in the last couple of years. In addition to Scruton Station, we've now completed the restoration of Leeming Bar Station House and created an excellent heritage education programme for visitors. A brand new toilet block has also been built on the platform. Our dedicated staff and volunteers have undertaken significant track improvements, the restoration of the class 121 DMU/bubble car and four Mk2 coaches. These and other achievements have been topped off by the return of the hugely successful Polar Express event. We are committed to making your railway a place that you can be proud of.

As part of our plans to become steam ready, we need to buy two vacuum-braked coaches.

This is where you can help!

Time is getting short to secure the purchase of two very recently refurbished, ready-to-use1950s Mk1 vacuum-braked coaches in outstanding condition. Steam locomotives use a vacuum braking system to control the train and we therefore need the Mk1 vacuum-braked coaches to safely operate future steam hauled services.

1. The Tourist Second Open (TSO) seats 64 people and has retained all its original 1950s features, including woodwork and roof lights!

2. The Brake Standard Open (Micro-Buffet) (BSOT) has a passenger section with 31 seats and comes with a micro-Buffet, guard's compartment with handbrake and a disabled access space with double doors, ramp and fixed seating for carers. We hope to develop & improve this space as part of on-going plans to be a more inclusive & accessible railway.

Your donation is vital to our preparations to bring steam back to Wensleydale. Will you support us?

Ways to Support

We welcome any donation, either one-off or regular. No matter the size, we greatly appreciate your support.

Alternatively, would you like to sponsor a seat? We have the following options to choose from:

Sponsor a Seat: *

£250 - one seat

£490 - two seats

£900 - four seats

* Your name will be shown on a sponsors board inside the coach

Note: Any surplus money raised by this appeal will be used for the maintenance and improvement of the railway.