AFTER more than year without turning a wheel, a heritage railway will re-start with a service not seen since the 1950s.

The Wensleydale Railway aims to recommence a passenger service this month with a regular service between Bedale and Scruton stations. Visitors can step back in time, enjoy a living museum and experience life in the first quarter of the 20th Century.

Operating from Bedale, the service will run on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays starting on Saturday, May 22 at 10.30am. The trains will be predominantly hauled by heritage DMU or Pacers and will run every hour until 3.30pm.

Visitors will travel to Scruton where they can tour the award-winning station, which is set in the early 1900s. They can interact with volunteers decked-out in period dress and take part in activities throughout the summer.

The return journey will take visitors to Leeming Bar where the on-going work to the Station House can be seen prior a full re-opening within the next two months.

A grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund has enabled the Station House to undergo a complete restoration. Now, decoration and furnishings are being finalised to bring the buildings back to the 1920s. Volunteers in period dress will be on hand to talk to visitors during a programme of events and activities.

Later in the year, it is hoped that services to Leyburn and Redmire may take place. Additionally, special events such as Polar Express in December should also go ahead.

Rachael Roberts, Wensleydale Railway spokesperson, said: “Following 13 months of closure we are very much looking forward to welcoming visitors back to the railway.

“Our brand new experience will see regular service trains running to Scruton for the first time since the 1950s.

“The past year has given us time to look at where we would like to go and we have some really exciting plans for the future that we can't wait to get started on.”

All journeys must be pre-booked. For further information see Wensleydale Railway website or call 01677 425805.