A HERITAGE railway already struggling to make ends meet has suffered a serious body-blow to its finances.

As the only licensed venue in Yorkshire, and the largest outside the USA, Wensleydale Railway’s Christmas Polar Express service will not take place. Hauled by a giant US-built steam locomotive complete with cow catcher and single spotlight at the front, last year it was a major hit with visitors. The heritage line sold more than 32,000 tickets.

This latest news will come as a huge disappointment after being eagerly-anticipated by schools, children and their families. Initially, the railway were working closely with organisers PNP Events to ensure that all relevant precautions and procedures were in place to provide a Covid-19 safe environment.

However the changing Covid-19 climate and a general worsening situation especially in areas where the majority of Polar Express visitors come from, made it increasingly doubtful. A railway spokesman said: “It is against this climate that PNP have regrettably made the difficult decision to cancel Polar Express this year on the Wensleydale Railway.

“Whilst we fully understand and support this decision, it will have a huge impact on the Wensleydale Railway in all manner of different ways. Perhaps the most serious will be the loss of a significant amount of income that would have safeguarded the railway over the lean winter period. Whilst we have been fortunate to receive grant aid, the majority of this is project related and will not help cover the basic costs of keeping the railway open.

“I appreciate that this news will come as a huge disappointment but the decision is the right one.”

Issues relating to ticket refunds should be directed to PNP Events.

As a slight recompense for their supporters Wensleydale Railway hope to stage a December “special” which will in no way replace Polar Express; details of this will be announced soon.