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PR 044
WENSLEYDALE RAILWAY AND COMMUNITY RAILFEST EVENT
At short notice, Wensleydale Railway has stepped in to help another rail operator so passengers won’t be disappointed.
This coming weekend, Saturday and Sunday September 23 and 24, the annual national Community Railfest event will be held in Darlington, with events and stands in Darlington (Bank Top, Park Lane/Fastline Yard, North Road Railway Centre/Museum) and also at Shildon Railway Museum. (In 2005 Railfest was held in Norwich).
On Saturday (September 23), national rail operator Hertfordshire Railtours (HFRT) will bring
an excursion train from Kings Cross to Darlington for Railfest. When their plans to run an
additional excursion from Darlington to Boulby could not be accommodated, HFRT approached Wensleydale Railway, with just two weeks to go.
“We were delighted to be able to help with this loco-hauled train,” says WR chairman, Mrs. Ruth Annison. “As well as bringing extra business to our railway, this will be a nostalgic occasion for both Hertfordshire Railtours and for us. They brought the last excursion train to Redmire, when the line closed at the end of 1992, so we shall be glad to welcome them back. This time their train will be ‘top and tailed’ by Class 31 diesel locomotives and it will run in the path of our 14.35 train from Leeming Bar, with WR passengers also able to board it for their journey to Redmire and back.” On Saturday, an extra WR train will run from Leeming Bar to Redmire two hours later, thus allowing an opportunity for passengers to have a longer afternoon in Wensleydale, with time for a walk around Redmire or to go shopping in Leyburn.
For train times and to book from Darlington or Northallerton to Redmire for either Saturday or Sunday travel (lunchtime departure), phone HFRT on 01438 718125 (£15 return/child £10). To join the same train at Leeming Bar (14.35 – 24 hour clock) or other WR stations, pay at Leeming Bar station before boarding or at Bedale and Finghall on the train (standard WR fares).
During the Railfest weekend, there will be rail-related events at other Northern venues, including Weardale Railway, Bishop Auckland miniature steam railway and at Saltburn Methodist Church. On Saturday evening, Wensleydale Railway will be running an evening DMU (diesel multiple unit train) from Leeming Bar station to Castle Hills, Northallerton. “This is a rare opportunity to travel on a section of line which does not normally carry passenger trains,” says Mrs. Annison. “It is part of the route into Northallerton station – the last bit remains to be rebuilt and what a great day that will be!” Advance booking is advisable for the WR Saturday evening special. Return tickets cost £5/child £3, with the train departing from Leeming Bar station at 6.45pm for an 80 minute round trip; to book ring 08454 50 54 74.
Contact details:
Hertfordshire Railtours: 01438 718125, enquiries@traintrips.co.uk, www.traintrips.co.uk
Wensleydale Railway 08454 50 54 74 and www.wensleydalerailway.com
Railfest programme: www.communityrailfest.org.uk, hazel@acorp.uk.com, 01484 847790
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