East Yorkshire’s Heritage Railway Embarks on Ambitious Visitor Centre Project with £100,000 Boost

A new chapter for Yorkshire Wolds Railway: A beloved heritage railway in East Yorkshire has secured vital funding from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) to kick-start the construction of a long-awaited Visitor Centre and Working Facility.

The project marks a significant milestone for the volunteer-run Yorkshire Wolds Railway (YWR) based at Fimber, as it seeks to enhance visitor experiences and preserve railway heritage in the region.

Securing the funds: A major step forward

The Yorkshire Wolds Railway, located in the picturesque Yorkshire Wolds, has recently been awarded nearly £100,000 from the UKSPF. This substantial funding will enable the initial construction of the new Visitor Centre and Working Facility, an infrastructure project set to be the largest the YWR has undertaken since its opening to the public in 2015. The centre will house essential restoration work and provide visitors with an opportunity to observe the ongoing preservation activities that take place behind the scenes.

Phil Robson, the finance director at YWR, expressed the excitement and relief of the team upon receiving the news of their successful bid.

“We learnt of the UKSPF funding being available in late 2023 and pulled out all the stops to complete the application and were 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 into reality,”

he said.

Raising the roof: The campaign to complete the dream

While the initial funding is a huge step forward, the YWR has launched a Raise the Roof campaign to raise an additional £100,000 needed to fully complete the project. This additional funding will cover essential elements such as track, points, heating, lighting, roadway improvements, and a concrete apron for the facility. These components are critical to ensuring the centre not only functions effectively but also enhances the visitor experience.

Katy Bowser, the business development director at YWR, highlighted the scale of the challenge:

“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.”

A new era for Yorkshire Wolds Railway

The planned Visitor Centre and Working Facility will mark a new era for the Yorkshire Wolds Railway. The project will provide a covered space for restoration work, vastly improving the conditions under which the volunteers operate.

Currently, much of the work is done outdoors, under sheets and tarpaulins, which is far from ideal. The new building will also allow visitors to get up close to the restoration process, offering a unique educational experience and a closer look at the meticulous work involved in preserving historical railway equipment.

Phil Robson emphasized the significance of this development for the railway, noting that it is something the YWR has required for some time.

“Once complete, it 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 road ahead: How you can help

The Yorkshire Wolds Railway is calling on the community and railway enthusiasts to help make the new Visitor Centre a reality. The Raise the Roof campaign is seeking donations, no matter how small, to ensure the project reaches completion. Donations can be made through the YWR’s website, and the railway is also keen to involve new volunteers and members in its ongoing work.

Established in 2008, exactly 50 years after the closure of the Malton and Driffield Junction Railway, YWR has grown to become a cherished part of the East Yorkshire community. It operates every Sunday and Bank Holiday until the end of October, with additional openings on Wednesdays during school holidays. The railway is always eager to welcome new faces, whether as visitors, members, or volunteers.

For those interested in supporting the Yorkshire Wolds Railway or learning more about its plans, more information is available on their website, or by contacting them directly.

As the YWR looks towards the future, the new Visitor Centre and Working Facility stand as a testament to the passion and dedication of the volunteers who have kept the spirit of East Yorkshire’s railway heritage alive. With continued community support, the railway’s dream of a fully equipped centre is well on track to becoming a reality.