Local Midsomer Norton heritage crew join the ‘LOVE YOUR RAILWAY’ NATIONAL CAMPAIGN

S&DJR JOINS THE NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGN 'LOVE YOUR RAILWAY'

Heritage railways across the country, including the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway, are joining forces again this summer to raise awareness of their importance as a tourism destination, educating and telling the story of Britain's railways whilst also providing local jobs and volunteer community engagement.

Following the enormous success of the first two years, the third annual 'Love Your Railway' campaign, brings together organisations from as far afield as Scotland, Snowdonia, Leighton Buzzard and the Lake District* in the nationwide campaign which shines a spotlight on heritage railway organisations, encouraging visitors to support them this summer.

Spearheaded by the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR), 'Love Your Railway' is a six-week campaign which runs over from 5th June to 16th July, with weekly themes covering conservation, education and restoration.

The Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway and its fellow heritage railways from across the UK carry over 13 million passengers each year, over 560 miles of railway line and contribute £400 million in economic impact. 22,000 volunteers and over 4,000 paid employees keep the UK's heritage railways on track, highlighting the significant role railways played through the industrial revolution.

Matt Cornborough, Company Chairman at S&DJR, said: "We are delighted to support and participate in the 'Love Your Railway' campaign to highlight the work that heritage lines all over the country do to conserve, protect, promote, entertain and educate people about Britain's rich 200-year railway history and culture".

Stephen Oates, Chief Executive at The Heritage Railway Association, said: "In 2021 'Love Your Railway' secured collaborations from as far afield as Cornwall, Suffolk, North Wales, North East Scotland and Northern Ireland, with over 55 heritage railway organisations taking part and last year the campaign was even more successful with over 85 participating heritage railways organisations. We've really proud to back this campaign and look forward to seeing many more rail organisations get involved."

The six themed weeks are: Volunteers, Fundraising, Community, Education, History, and Restoration. Throughout the campaign heritage railways are encouraging visitors and supporters to get involved and share photos and memories of their visits on social media using #LoveYourRailway

At the time of writing, the following railways participating in #LoveYourRailway 2023 include, up to date list available from www.loveyourrailway.co.uk:

Bluebell Railway

Bodmin & Wenford Railway

Bredgar & Wormshill Light Railway

Dean Forest Railway

East Lancashire Railway

Foxfield Railway

Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway

Great Laxey Mine RailwayGroudle Glen Railway

Head of Steam

Isle of Wight Steam Railway

Kent & East Sussex Railway

Kirklees Light Railway

Lappa Valley Steam Railway

Leighton Buzzard Railway

Middleton Railway

Moseley Heritage Museum

Mumbles Development Trust

Northampton & Lamport Railway

Plym Valley Railway

Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway

Vale of Rheidol Railway

Seaton Tramway

Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway

Somerset & Dorset Railway

Swanage Railway

Vale of Rheidol Railway

Weardale Railway

Wyvern Railway

Yorkshire Wolds Railway