A HERITAGE railway line popular with tourists and residents alike has kicked off a year of celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the association that runs it.

The Wensleydale Railway Association held its first meeting on May 23, 1990 with the view to persuade British Rail to allow passenger trains to run on the line once more, after it had become used solely for freight.

But members eventually took on all the running of 22 miles of the line from Northallerton to Redmire, and in 2003 it was reopened to passengers from Leeming Bar to Leyburn, followed by the section to Redmire.

In 2014, a station was opened at Northallerton West, allowing the service to run from the county town to Leeming Bar, Bedale, and Finghall – and a further stop at Scruton is currently being restored.

The Wensleydale Railway Association eventually hope to rebuild the line from Redmire to Castle Bolton, Aysgarth and Hawes, with the ultimate aim to connect to the Settle to Carlisle Railway via Garsdale.

Founder member Ruth Annison who called the first meeting of the association waved the green flag for the first train at the anniversary event on Saturday.

Mrs Annison said: “There have been lots of highs and lows over the years.

“When we set up the association we never expected to take on the entire running of the line ourselves and it has been a lot of hard work.

“We couldn’t have done, and still wouldn’t manage, any of it without our volunteers – we have so many that work behind the scenes that make sure everything runs smoothly, from people who fundraise for us to those who clear debris that might make its way onto the track.”

Nigel Park, general manager, said: “The anniversary weekend has been a special celebration that had a good turnout of both trains and enthusiasts.

“We were especially pleased to have Ruth for the first train send off and with the anniversary and other events and activities taking place, it was a ‘must see’ weekend at Wensleydale Railway.”

Association chairman Ken Monkman said the weekend had been a great success.

“We have had lots of visitors coming to share our anniversary weekend, and on our first train of the day on Saturday we enjoyed cake and champagne with all of our volunteers.”

The weekend’s timetable of trains was hauled by 37 674 locomotive, and trains ran from the new Northallerton West platform and all other stops along the route.

To mark the anniversary, a special service is running all weekend until Monday (May 25) and there has been an open day at Aysgarth Station displaying plans for the future of the station.