Local people have been inspired by a rail reopening scheme to come to the rescue of a rail station which closed more than 50 years ago.

For the past four years trains have been running through Scruton station in Wensleydale following the formation of the community-based Wensleydale Railway

The aim is to restore 40 miles of track between Northallerton on the East Coast main line and Garsdale on the Settle-Carlisle.

Currently trains run 17-miles between Leeming Bar, near the A1/A684 junction, and Redmire on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, via Bedale and Leyburn.

The latest initiative is in Scruton where ambitions to restore the station have taken a step forward with the first meeting of a strategic partnership formed between Wensleydale Railway Trust, Scruton Parish Council, and Wensleydale Railway plc.

The collaborative alliance will be based is now trying to identify sources of funding for the project. The station buildings are unique in terms of railway architecture and date back to the late nineteenth century.

There is considerable local enthusiasm for restoring them to their former state to renew their potential as a functioning station and to provide local community resources.

The Railway Heritage Trust Fund has already expressed a willingness to support a refurbishment programme and has funded the completion of a condition Survey.

Scruton Parish Council is keen to work with the Wensleydale Railway to ensure that the "gateway to the village" has a new improved look, that the station buildings can be made fit for future operating rail services and that the buildings are available for the use of the local community.

Scruton volunteers have put in hundreds of hours clearing the site from overgrowth and keeping it manageable.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to preserve a unique example of railway architecture and the trust will be seeking funding from a variety of sources to bring these station buildings back to life," said Angus Maude, chair of the Wensleydale Railway Trust.

Dr Ian Sesnan, director for communities and regeneration, confirmed the board’s willingness to support Scruton’s initiative in developing a vibrant social enterprise in both the refurbishment programme and the future use of the building.

“Funding the future of the Wensleydale Railway as a vital commuter and recreational link will be complemented by this project and the collaboration with groups such as Wensleydale Railway Trust and Scruton volunteers, whose community spirit and willingness to work in partnership has been appreciated by the board.”

Janet Crampton, vice chair of Scruton Parish Council, has led the initiative to use local volunteer help and to work within a strategic partnership.

More information on Scruton Parish Council’s role in the project can be obtained from janetcrampton at btinternet.com

Wensleydale Railway plc is developing the business case to secure funding to link passenger services back to the East Coast Main Line at Northallerton.

More info: ian at iansesnan.co.uk or

ruth.annison at gmail.com


Website: www.wensleydalerailway.com/