Wensleydale Railway opens for commemorative Charity Classic Vehicle Run

The Dales railway opened its doors on Saturday May 1st  for a Classic Vehicle run which raised money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance

The event was in memory of  Heather Dobson, a local  woman who was killed in a road traffic accident.

Organised by Heather's son Andrew and his partner Kay Whittaker the event commemorated his late Mother who was sadly killed a decade ago -  20 classic tractors and other vehicles, including one of the UK's oldest operational Bedford’s, and the ex-GP driver Cliff Allison's 1959 Mk I Jaguar,  stopped in at Leeming Bar Station on the Railway, on their road run, for a "Loo and a Brew".

 Whilst there they were shown the renovation work which the National Lottery Heritage Fund has enabled, and were given "behind the scenes" tours of the building by the Wensleydale Railway Association Trust Heritage Team. 

Wensleydale Railway plc Chairman Guy Loveridge said: "It was great to see people coming in and enjoying the station facilities again, and making use of them as a heritage asset. We made sure Covid compliance rules were strictly observed and enforced. Everyone enjoyed a cracking hour and a half with the fund-raising enthusiasts!" 

 Co-organiser Kay Whittaker said: "We were extremely happy with how the Wensleydale Railway made us welcome. Everyone is keen to return and  help out any time the railway needs vintage vehicles!" 

 This was the first classic vehicle event of the year at the Wensleydale railway which has an open invitation throughout 2021 to classic vehicle clubs who wish to visit the railway.

 Guy Loveridge said: “ This was the first group of enthusiasts to accept our offer

to classic vehicle clubs. This which shows Wensleydale Railway is almost back and ready for business. But as we come out of the pandemic, we would love to see more clubs visiting the railway and we will make them very welcome.”