Keith and Dufftown Railway hops aboard UK-wide Love Your Railway campaign
KEITH and Dufftown Railway (KDR) has joined other heritage railway groups from as far afield as Cornwall, Suffolk and North Wales in a new UK-wide campaign.
Love Your Railway is a six-week summer campaign, spearheaded by the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR), which aims to highlight the important conservation, education and research work undertaken by heritage railway organisations.
Such organisations, many entirely staffed by volunteers, have been heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, with reduced capacities and income.
KDR is collaborating with NYMR and more than 35 other famous heritage railways, including The Bluebell Railway in Sussex, Crich Tramway Village, Severn Valley Railway and Snowdon Mountain Railway.
The online campaign runs from today until September 5. The railways will share posts on social media platforms related to various themes each week, including heritage, education, volunteers, family, sustainability and future.
The volunteer-operated Keith and Dufftown Railway, running since 2000, got back on track on July 2 following lockdown restrictions.
The railway association has around 200 members, around 40 of whom are regular, active volunteers – doing everything from crewing the trains, maintaining the rolling stock, track way and buildings, to social media and running special events.
Tina Wells, from KDR's social media team, said: "We are really pleased to be running passenger trains again, albeit at a reduced capacity.
"Keith and Dufftown Railway were delighted when NYMR invited us to be part of this fabulous summer campaign.
"We are looking forward to sharing our story and excited to see what visitors to our wee railway think about the work we do.
"While we are known as 'The Whisky Line', based in the whisky capital of the world, we're not all about the drams.
"We are a family orientated organisation – just ask the teddies at the Teddy Bears Weekend.
"As the most northerly heritage line, surrounded by Highland mountains, rivers and lochs, we can sometimes feel a little alone. It will be great to come together with our fellow heritage railways from the far-flung corners of the country and share their journey."
Chris Price, general manager at NYMR, said: "We’re optimistic and excited about the summer ahead, but the last 12 months have been like no other year, with lockdowns, reduced capacities due to social distancing, and staff and volunteers falling victim to the virus.
"There are more than 150 operational heritage railways, running trains over nearly 600 miles of track, which protect, conserve and bring to life part of the nation’s rich cultural heritage, giving enjoyment and learning to thousands of people every year.
"We want to do all we can to raise awareness of every heritage railway across the country and the challenges we face."
The campaign is encouraging members of the public to share their train-ride memories and pictures on social media, using the hashtag #LoveYourRailway.
KDR's Teddy Bears Weekend will run from August 6-8. A bear counting competition will be held on the train and the guard's compartment will become a Bear Den where wee ones can have a tea party with the teddies.
Trains will run to the regular timetable for the weekend: 1030, 1330 and 1530 from Dufftown; 1130, 1430 and 1620 from Keith Town. Adult return tickets cost £11, children £5 and under fives go free, while concession tickets are available at £9 and a family return costs £28. Passengers can bring along their favourite stuffed toys for the journey.
