Work began in mid-September on a 0.75-mile section of track at Wensley, close to the site of the former Wensley Station. The earthworks carrying the railway along the foot of the cliffs below Leyburn Shawl had eroded, and material had fallen into the adjacent fields.
Some sleeper ends were left exposed and unsupported. Work began in mid-September on a 0.75-mile section of track at Wensley, close to the site of the former Wensley Station (Image: WENSLEYDALE RAILWAY) It's hoped that it will build towards plans to bring a passenger service to Redmire for the first time in four years.
The railway hired a specialist railway contractor, Lampitt Rail Services, to undertake the repair work, with support from its operations staff and infrastructure volunteers. The work included rebuilding and widening sections of the eroded embankment. The railway currently runs services from Leeming Bar to Leyburn.
The 5.5-mile section of railway between the Georgian market town of Leyburn to Redmire village has been closed to the public since 2020. It's hoped that it will build towards plans to bring a passenger service to Redmire for the first time in four years (Image: WENSLEYDALE RAILWAY) This has been due to the deteriorating condition of the track and infrastructure on this section of the railway.
Some of the track is life-expired and date back to before the First World War. Wensleydale Railway has set itself the goal of re-opening the line between Leyburn and Redmire stations by September 2025.
