North Yorkshire Moors Railway's 'very existence threatened' as it could lose up to £1million

The NYMR usually operates timetabled train services and runs events from April to October and was only a few weeks away from its spring opening day when its management made the decision to postpone the season due to the coronavirus crisis.

They now face losing up to £1million in income from ticket sales and events, leaving the self-funded railway's future in jeopardy.

The NYMR is a registered charity and relies on passenger use and public support to raise money for the maintenance of its historic locomotives, rolling stock, track and stations.

They have cancelled events planned for April, May, June and July, including the popular 1960s festival. The 1940s weekend and autumn steam gala may still go ahead if the situation improves.

The railway depends on a large volunteer force, many of whom are aged over 70 and in at-risk groups.

A completely abandoned season would be a huge blow for the railway, which has grown into a Yorkshire icon since a group of steam enthusiasts took over the branch line from Pickering to Grosmont that was axed in the Beeching cuts of the 1960s and opend it as a tourist attraction.

Films and TV dramas including Harry Potter, Downton Abbey, Dad's Army and A Testament of Youth have all been shot on the railway, and it's also been the subject of its own Channel Five documentary series, All Aboard: Yorkshire's Steam Railway.

It is licensed to host weddings, with bookings for spring and early summer 2020 likely to be cancelled.

Another preserved line in Yorkshire, the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, has also taken the decision to stop operating trains and has cancelled events.

A statement from the NYMR read:

"In light of the current government advice, we have made the difficult decision on Wednesday 18 March, to delay the opening of North Yorkshire Moors Railway’s 2020 season until further notice.

"While there have been no reported cases of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) at the railway, the wellbeing of our visitors, staff and volunteers is our absolute priority. Matters of health and safety have our complete attention, which has led to this closure.

"The NYMR is a registered charity (501388) and not operating this year would have a substantial impact on its future. Please help by donating to give the railway a fighting chance to be able to ‘steam on’ it’s in current form once the pandemic is over.

"The NYMR can’t claim insurance compensation for business interruption. The government has not offered monetary aid to charities yet. The only government help currently available would put the railway into significant debt, which may take years to pay off.

"We could potentially lose up to £1 million over the upcoming weeks. Figure of this magnitude could threaten the very existence of the railway. Please help now and support the NYMR to ensure we survive."

To donate to the crisis fund appeal, click here.