A POPULAR heritage railway in North Yorkshire has secured a major funding boost from Arts Council England.

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) has been awarded a £750,000, National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) grant by Arts Council England to help the heritage charity continue its work in conservation, preservation, education and engaging communities.

The funding will be rolled out over the next three years, with the heritage railway to receive £250,000 each year.

It will be used across projects including restoring visitor numbers to pre-Covid levels; improving on-station and on-train interpretation; expanding NYMR dining services; improving the educational offer to school groups; and improving travel for those with special needs.

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Chris Price, CEO at NYMR, said: “This is such great news and a real testament to the work that we do; it’s also recognition of the importance of NYMR to the region, both economically and culturally, and allows us to continue our work and reach even more individuals, groups and communities to share our passion for the history of the region through steam travel.”

Arts Council England Chair, Sir Nicholas Serota, said: “As well as continuing our commitment to our many established and renowned cultural organisations, I am deeply proud of the support we will be giving to those new organisations which will help ignite creativity across the country.”