“The North York Moors Railway makes a massive contribution to the tourism offer of the North York Moors and I am pleased we have been able, on this occasion, to help fund the renewal of this vital bridge.  Taken together with contributions from other agencies and private donors, this should be sufficient to ensure that the bridge is fixed quickly and the threat to the continued operation of full sized steam engines is lifted.

Of course the railway is also keen to return locomotive number 80135 to steam, in order to reduce their reliance on borrowed and hired in engines, so I am sure their appeal remains active and in need of further donations.”