LOCAL rail campaigners working towards the restoration of passenger trains in Wensleydale marked Yorkshire Day by throwing open Leeming Bar station to the public daily for a month.

The move by Wensleydale Railway plc and the Wensleydale Railway Association included the launching of a miniature steam train service in the station yard with the narrow gauge coal-fired locomotive Pilgrim.

The station is owned by Wensleydale Railway plc and it is hoped that it will soon become the starting point for initial passenger train services to Leyburn.

Holiday visitors can ride in the small wooden coaches hauled by Pilgrim and see the new railway shop at Leeming Bar as well as a restored full-size railway buffet coach.

Also in the station yard are the newly painted wagons of a works train which will be used for essential tasks in preparing the remaining section of the Wensleydale line for the return of passenger traffic.

Visitors will have the chance to learn about longer-term plans to reopen the Wensleydale line along its full 40-mile length from Northallerton to Garsdale.

Leeming Bar station, two miles from Bedale on the A684, is open daily until September 1 (10am-4.30), with the first miniature steam train run at 11am each day. Inquiries to Bedale Tourist Information Centre (01677 424604).