Vital Railway Bridge Repairs Reach Four Hundred Thousand Pound Milestone

A fundraising appeal to permanently repair a historic railway bridge on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway has reached the halfway mark of its eight hundred thousand pound target.

Permanent repairs to a historic railway bridge will move a step closer after a fundraising campaign hit the halfway mark.

The campaign to fix Bridge 42 on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway has reached a four hundred thousand pound milestone. The historic structure, located between Grosmont Level Crossing and the tunnel, is one of more than thirty vital bridges and culverts that carry trains and passengers through the national park every year.

An estimated eight hundred thousand pounds is needed to complete the permanent restoration of the bridge. Generous supporters from across the world have contributed to the total, with fundraisers offering incentives to boost the appeal.

Donors who give twenty-five pounds or more receive a free limited-edition pin badge featuring exclusive artwork by Leeds-based artist David Cockayne. Seven hundred and fifty-four pin badges have been issued to generous donors so far, while sixty-nine of the one hundred limited edition lino prints of the bridge artwork have been sold online and in store.

A fifty thousand pound contribution was also awarded to the railway from the North York Moors National Park’s Landscape and Ecology fund, under a scheme designed for the restoration of degraded heritage assets.

Community members and supporters outside the railway organisation have also organised their own dedicated campaigns. An ambitious sponsored walk from Pickering to Whitby took place in August, undertaken by Jacob Newsome and a group of supporters. The walk raised money for both the bridge appeal and Cancer Research UK, following a recent cancer diagnosis for his father.

Thrill-seeking supporters are now preparing to take the plunge from England's only bridge bungee jump to encourage further donations. Staff and volunteers from the heritage railway will bungee jump from Larpool Viaduct in Whitby on the twentieth of September in a brave effort to rack up additional funds.

Organised by the UK Bungee Club, the forty-two-metre drop over water will give jumpers stunning views of the picturesque North Yorkshire coastline, surrounded by natural beauty.

Chief Executive Officer at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, Laura Strangeway, said:

"We are enormously grateful for the generous support we have received so far, including the grant awarded by the North York Moors National Park. But there is still more to do. Every donation takes us another step towards our goal and helps secure the future of the NYMR for generations to come."

Temporary propping has been installed at the bridge following detailed inspections to ensure continued safe and reliable operation throughout the 2026 season. Railway officials confirmed this interim measure allows trains to cross without disruption whilst the substantive repair programme is developed.

A full structural restoration is currently scheduled for the winter of 2026 to 2027, dependent on securing the necessary funding to complete the repairs. Once the eight hundred thousand pound target is reached, a repair programme will get underway to restore the bridge to full structural integrity.

The chief executive, who is leading the fundraising efforts with her team at the heritage railway, added:

"The repair of Bridge 42 is a complex project for us and one that is incredibly important to complete so that the NYMR can continue to be the heritage railway that we all love. To reach over £400,000 is an incredible milestone, and we continue to explore all other funding opportunities and partnerships as we move towards our fundraising target. The funding raised will ensure that this historic route remains open and continues to be a vital heritage, economic, and community asset that boosts the regional economy, protects railway heritage, and supports local livelihoods."

The heritage route connects local communities, supports local businesses, provides education and volunteering opportunities, and welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.