THE return of scheduled passenger trains to Wensleydale next month has been hailed as a tonic for the area after the problems caused by the foot-and-mouth crisis two years ago.

Rail campaigners described the long and sometimes frustrating negotiations involved in reaching the present stage in their ambitious plans when the 22-mile Northallerton to Redmire line was formally handed over by Network Rail to Wensleydale Railway at Leeming Bar station last Friday.

The first passengers from July 4 until the end of October will be carried between Leeming Bar and Leyburn, where the platforms are being refurbished, but Bedale hopes it will also reap eventual economic benefits from the services by having trains calling at the station there.

Wensleydale Railway has leased the line for 99 years, but chief executive Scott Handley stressed a huge amount work lay ahead to prepare for the first timetabled passenger trains in almost 50 years.

The official handover was marked by the delivery of the Redmire branch token, a safety device "door key" without which no train is allowed to work over the single track line, in a freight locomotive of English, Welsh and Scottish Railway driven by Martin Sonley from the EWS depot at Thornaby.

Mr Sonley presented the token to Jerry Swift, Wensleydale Railway project manager at Network Rail, who in turn gave it to Mr Handley in the former goods shed at Leeming Bar.

Keith Cameron, chairman of Wensleydale Railway, told almost 150 assembled guests that negotiations had taken three years and progress had been affected by difficulties in the rail industry. The company had had to meet tough standards, including submission of a 104-page safety case, to run passenger trains.

Mr Swift said: "The challenges we have faced with the national network are no secret. Our main requirement must be to concentrate on that core network.

"We have not been able to put the amount of effort we would like into freight-only routes like the Redmire branch. We are celebrating a new beginning and a chance for a group of professional people to give the line the attention it deserves."

Mr Handley said automatic level crossings, not used for more than ten years, were being tested ready for reinstatement and track vegetation had to be cleared. The track was in fairly good condition, but plans were in place for immediate repairs, with longer term renewals to raise train speeds.

"What visitors need and will get is a high-quality service right from the beginning. We are very visible now, with a presence throughout the dale, and we are talking to parishes along the route about their needs."

Coun John Dennis, vice-chairman of North Yorkshire County Council, whose Appleton Wiske division includes Leeming Bar, said: "This is something I have been keeping an eye on for a number of years. It is a great thing not only for Wensleydale but for the whole area.

"After foot-and-mouth, this is a real lift and will bring people back to the area in droves."

John Laity, chairman of Bedale Chamber of Trade, said: "I have been assured that it is in the plan for trains to be stopping at Bedale, not immediately, but that it will come.

"It is another string to the tourism bow, which will potentially bring people into the town. We need to promote ourselves to be ready for this when it comes.

"It does not involve anything new, like a new road or a bypass, but is resurrecting what is already there. You could not get much greener in the traffic sense.

"We are the first Dales market town along the line. It could not have come at a better time while we are trying to get things going, with all the shops now taken."

Coun David Smith, chairman of Hambleton District Council, said he was impressed by the enthusiasm shown in overcoming obstacles to reach this point and hoped Bedale and eventually Northallerton would both benefit.

"There is a recognition at Hambleton that this is going to be of benefit not only for tourism but as a means of access for people in villages. If they can reopen village stations that is where the pluses will multiply.

"As a council, we are enthusiastic about seeing this development take place and will do our best to help by working with other agencies."

Coun Michael Heseltine, chairman of Richmondshire District Council, which has achieved beacon status for its tourism efforts, said July 4 marked a testing time.

"A lot is going to depend on publicity and establishing a link from Northallerton. This project holds great potential and should do Leyburn a lot of good when you think of the scope there.

"Reopening village stations is something for the future. It is a case of taking one step at a time. It is not just a case of opening a railway but doing market research and establishing a railway that is going to be used.

"The project has got to be able at least to break even. There has got to be a big culture change. However it develops, it has got to be used to be permanently viable.

"Last week was an immense step forward. There is still a massive amount of work to be done, but you have to creep before you run."

Other guests included Phil Kirkland, now general manager of the freight division of Doncaster-based rail engineering company Grantrail.

Mr Kirkland was engineering supervisor when the Redmire line was upgraded by the Ministry of Defence seven years ago at a cost of £750,000 for occasional Army trains following the loss of limestone traffic.

He said: "I am thrilled that the Wensleydale Railway project has come so far and just as satisfied that the MoD is to continue using the line. It was not in too bad a condition when it was upgraded for the Army. It just needed a bit of tender loving care. Now the real work starts for passenger trains."