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4th May 2020
Categories: Visitor News
Image: Roy Smallpage.
At the beginning of April, the scenic South Devon Railway launched their SOS – Save Our Steam campaign which aimed to raise £500,000 to help the seven-mile heritage railway survive through the coronavirus pandemic.
The South Devon Railway (SDR) is reliant upon the income that is generated by running trains and special events. These funds then allow them to invest in the maintenance of the track and buildings, as well as the trains themselves.
Over the winter season, when the railway was closed, there was damage to two of the key bridges along the route, including the iconic Nursery Pool Bridge, which takes the train over the River Dart near Buckfastleigh. These urgent repairs have come at an unexpected cost and, along with the total loss of income from not being open, the SDR is in need of financial help.
At the moment, it looks unlikely that the SDR will be able to open to the public again until at least halfway through its usual operating season which means a potential loss of £500,000, money which is usually collected through visitor admissions and rides, and goes towards the running of this 51-year-old heritage attraction.
The team at the railway launched their SOS – Save Our Steam campaign on 5th April and have since received donations from all over the UK and overseas, including members, local people, visitors and even one gentleman in Shanghai who is an annual visitor! The campaign hopes to raise £500,000 and so far stands at just over £135,000.
Commenting on the amount raised so far, a South Devon Railway Trust spokesman said: “I can’t begin to thank all of those kind people who have donated money already to our ‘SOS – Save Our Steam’ appeal so far who are helping us in our hour of need.
“We reckon that we’ll need up to £500,000 to survive this crisis and, whilst our appeal is still a long way short of that figure, it’s been a very encouraging and humbling start to have received so much support. All the money raised will go towards safe guarding the SDR and helping us get through the Covid-19 crisis, please keep the donations coming if you can, no matter how small, it all helps!”
© Visit Devon Community Interest Company
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