Next week, the scenic South Devon Railway is joining fellow heritage railways from across the UK in a new campaign to raise awareness. Spearheaded by the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, the ‘Love Your Railway’ campaign will run for six weeks from 26th July to 5th September.
The campaign will highlight the important work heritage railways do with regards to historic conservation, education and research. Heritage railways have been badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic due to reduced capacities threatening their existence.
South Devon Railway is collaborating with heritage railways including The Bluebell Railway, Crich Tramway Village, Severn Valley Railway and Snowdon Mountain Railway.
South Devon Railway Chairman Jon Morton said: “We’re delighted to support the laudable ‘Love Your Railway’ campaign to highlight the work that heritage lines all over the country do to conserve, protect, promote, entertain and educate people about Britain’s rich 200-year railway history and culture
“Heritage railways have all had a rotten time during the Covid-19 pandemic with restricted operations and mounting financial losses, so we need people to visit us now like never before just to survive and keep the wheels turning.”
Having run for 52 years since first re-opening as a heritage tourist railway in 1969, South Devon Railway is a picturesque seven-mile line running from Buckfastleigh to Totnes. Find out more here: https://www.southdevonrailway.co.uk/
Photo by Sarah Anne Harvey