The YWR have managed to secure nearly £100,000 of funding from the UK Government through its Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) to help construct a new Visitor Centre and Working Facility. The charity is now launching a fund raising campaign to fully kit the building out.
This building will be the largest infrastructure project undertaken by the YWR since the site first opened to the public in 2015. Since then, members of East Yorkshire’s fully volunteer run heritage railway have laid ¼ of a mile of track, and seen the number of visitors increase year on year who can now enjoy a brake van ride along the line set in the heart of the beautiful Yorkshire Wolds.
Phil Robson, finance director said “we learnt of the UKSPF funding being available in late 2023 and pulled out all the stops to complete the application and where thrilled when we learnt we were successful. Since then we also managed to secure the required planning permission and are now pushing forward to turn this dream in to reality. It is something that the YWR has required for some time and once complete will allow restoration works to continue inside – which is much better than under sheets and tarpaulins! In addition, we will be able to have visitors to Fimber Halt get up close to the works to see first hand what usually goes on behind closed doors.” The UKSPF funding will allow the shell of the building to be built along with basic facilities to enable the YWR to finally have a covered working area together with more visitor displays. Phil continued “The funding drive Raise the Roof is for the other necessary items to be purchased such as track, points, heating, lighting, roadway improvements and a concrete apron for which we will need to raise a further £100,000.”
Business Development Director of the YWR Katy Bowser said “I am really excited to be involved with this major fund raising campaign for the YWR. When you say to people that you need to raise another £100,000 eyebrows are raised, but when you explain that a set of points can cost £18,000 they realise that you can soon eat through a large amount of money! The Visitor Centre and Working Facility will be another huge leap forward for the YWR that will improve the experience for visitors and members alike and we would be grateful for any donation – large or small!”
You can donate to help Raise the Roof by visiting www.yorkshirewoldsrailway.org.uk/support
The YWR is always keen to involve new people, and anyone interested in becoming a member or volunteering, making a donation or just finding out more can visit the Yorkshire Wolds Railway website or call 01377 338053 for more information. The YWR will be running trains and opening the visitor centre every Sunday and Bank Holiday from Easter until the end of October and every Wednesday during school holidays from 10 – 4. All trains run subject to availability. The visitor centre only will be open every Wednesday from Easter until the end of October from 10 – 4. Additionally, there are members on site most Saturdays who will be happy to show what is being done, subject of course to safety requirements.
