STALWART supporters of the Wensleydale Railway Association who have already paid their dues in membership fees and, in some cases, voluntary work, are now being asked to dig even deeper to help keep their cherished project on track.

With the annual meeting of the WRA in Bedale tomorrow, members are being urged to give up to £1,000 each to help ensure that £100,000 is raised by the end of July to bridge a funding shortfall.

A letter sent to all members this week made it clear the future looks bleak unless the WRA can quickly find ways of plugging a revenue gap and replenishing reserves.

But there was no suggestion that the position is in any way comparable to that afflicting the Weardale Railway, which went into administration earlier this year, and had to suspend steam services because of severe cash flow problems.

The problem in Wensleydale, according to the WRA, is that steep costs of operating diesel train services between Leeming Bar and Redmire are outstripping income from passenger tickets and other sales.

Trains have been run since 2003 by the WRA's operational arm, Wensleydale Railway, which leased the 22-mile line between Northallerton and Redmire for 99 years from Network Rail.

The branch remains part of the national rail network and the approach adopted by Wensleydale Railway in designing a public transport service is unique in Britain.

The letter seeking emergency funding help from WRA members was signed by chairman Keith Cameron, vice-chairman Mark Flather, treasurer Alan Graham and secretary Ruth Annison.

It said: "For nearly two years the trains have run regularly and reliably, daily since last summer.

"We have demonstrated to the world our ability to operate a railway over 17 miles of track with five operational stations and carrying tens of thousands of passengers.

"Investors' money has been largely used to buy stations, repair, maintain and upgrade the track, install passing loops, purchase and renovate essential rolling stock and much, much more.

"This investment does not generate revenue in the short term but it has put the railway in its best condition for 50 years.

"All this bodes well for the future, except that there will be no future unless we can quickly find ways to plug the revenue gap and replenish our reserves.''

The WRA is seeking 30 people who can give £1,000, about 100 who can give £250 and several hundred more willing to give up to £100 each.

The letter added: "It would not be right or fair to make this appeal unless we were realistically confident that the railway can in the fairly short term be made to pay its way. Passenger numbers are steadily increasing now that we are at the start of the summer season."

The letter said an immediate priority was to boost food and drink sales, which would require an upgrade of catering facilities.

"Other donations will be used to improve some basic facilities, which will start to save money immediately."

Significant growth in passenger numbers depended on extending our operations into Northallerton, it went on, with its council offices, shops and hospital, as well as the long- awaited connection with the national rail network.

''Discussions about platforms at Northallerton are progressing. Plans are at an advanced stage for re-launching the share offer to help fund this development.

"We also consider it appropriate to seek help from external funding sources, especially as we have had little significant assistance from public funds for our developments thus far.'