AUTHORITIES with the power to help have been urged not to sit on the fence as local rail campaigners develop their plans to restore passenger trains to Wensleydale.

Today marked the start of a ground-breaking new era as Wensleydale Railway began running scheduled passenger services between Leeming Bar and Leyburn, having leased the 22-mile Northallerton to Redmire line from its owner, Network Rail, for 99 years.

This weekend sees a special programme of celebratory events and train services, the first of which today quickly sold out with seats at £95 each, with a normal public timetable beginning on Monday.

Wensleydale Railway will run up to four trains a day at two- hourly intervals until the end of October and hopes that by next year, with reinstatement of some sections of double track and new signalling, it will be able to run hourly services and introduce steam locomotives.

The line is already used for occasional Army trains and Wensleydale Railway hopes to attract more freight customers.

The revival scheme, which is beginning with no major public subsidy in its attempt to offer social transport in a rural area, marks the first time an active part of the national rail network, rather than a disused line, has been detached and entrusted to a relatively small local organisation.

Its supporters include Robin Jones, editor of Heritage Railway magazine, who has called for the development to be studied by those with the power to help financially, adding that if it shows potential for success it would be a disgrace for local councils and railway authorities to sit on the fence.

Special guests, including Richmond MP William Hague, whose constituency includes the two points initially being served by trains, gathered at Leeming Bar station today for the launch of the development.

Northallerton historian Tony Eaton was signing copies of his latest book, Memories of the Wensleydale Railway, the result of almost 18 months of research involving interviews with people who worked on or were connected with the line.

* Wensleydale railway special feature: pages 18 & 19.