The hard work of volunteers to bring Wensleydale Railway back to life is the focus of a new episode of the popular BBC show.
North Yorkshire heritage line, Wensleydale Railway, welcomed a BBC Countryfile film crew in May for a day of filming at Leeming Bar and Scruton stations.
Presenter John Craven met some of the railway’s volunteers to learn more about the railway’s rich history and how they brought the railway back to life after years of dereliction.
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Mr Craven was also given the opportunity to drive a train, which he describes as “a boyhood dream”.
He also speaks with one of the volunteers, Matt Jervis, about the restoration of a 1949 tank engine, which will be Wensleydale Railway’s first permanent resident steam engine once finished. Called Richard III, Mr Jervis hopes work will be complete and running by Easter 2027.
The episode was broadcast on Sunday 3 August at 6.20pm on BBC1 and is available on BBC iPlayer now.
Nick Keegan, Marketing and Fundraising Manager at Wensleydale Railway said: “It was our pleasure to host John and his production crew. John grew up in Yorkshire and was very keen to speak with our volunteers, find out more about their passion for heritage and why they volunteered. We enjoyed having the opportunity to showcase our railway’s rich heritage, stunning scenery and the passionate volunteers who keep the railway alive for thousands of visitors to enjoy every year.”
He added: “Our railway has featured in a number of tv productions, including an episode of ITV crime drama ‘Vera’ and Michael Portillo’s ‘Great British Railway Journeys’. From our award-winning restored Edwardian and Victorian stations at Scruton and Leeming Bar, to stunning Yorkshire Dales scenery, we have much to offer our visitors and tv and film production companies.”
