Keeping Heritage Moving: Our work with the North Yorkshire Moors Railway

We have a long and proud history of working with organisations in the industrial heritage, tourism and education space – including major fundraising campaigns for the Severn Valley Railway Trust and the Black Country Living Museum.

We are now pleased to be working alongside the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) to fund the repair and restoration of one of its key bridges: Bridge 42.

The NYMR is one of the UK’s most celebrated heritage railways, running for 24 miles through the breathtaking landscapes of the North York Moors National Park, connecting Pickering, Levisham, Goathland, Grosmont and Whitby.

Its story dates back nearly two centuries. First opened in 1836 as the Whitby and Pickering Railway, the line was conceived in 1831 by George Stephenson to strengthen trade routes from the important seaport of Whitby. Though parts of the route closed in 1965, the section between Grosmont and Pickering was brought back to life in 1973 by the North York Moors Historical Railway Trust – a remarkable achievement driven by passion and determination.

Today, the railway thrives as an award-winning visitor attraction, powered by hundreds of dedicated volunteers. It welcomes more than 300,000 visitors each year and contributes approximately £30 million annually to the regional economy.

Beyond tourism, NYMR plays a vital role in skills development and education. Its highly regarded apprenticeship programmes in mechanical engineering and countryside management equip the next generation with specialist heritage and conservation skills, while its schools and education outreach programme continues to inspire learners of all ages.

At the heart of this campaign is Bridge 42 at Grosmont – a structure of critical importance. Every train on the railway crosses this bridge, supporting around 10,000 locomotive movements each year, and has stood proudly over the River Murk Esk since 1846.

We look forward to continuing our work in partnership with the NYMR team to manage the Bridge 42 Campaign which has already, in its planning phase, raised over £400,000.