A STRUGGLING heritage railway company is to continue running a reduced service.

The Wensleydale Railway will not resume its seven-day-a-week timetable.

Instead, the company will supplement the income from Friday, Saturday and Sunday services with one-off specials and promotions.

The company made nine people redundant and reduced services in November to reduce costs and avert an impending financial crisis.

Bosses said the success of the railway depended on linking the line to Northallerton, in North Yorkshire.

At present, trains terminate at Leeming Bar and passengers travel to Northallerton by bus.

Wensleydale Railway chairman Ruth Annison said: "We are running scheduled services we need to run, including Fridays for Leyburn market.

"But it is necessary to keep other days clear for special business, leaving the opportunity for charter specials, which will help the line to earn its keep.

"We have had a very quiet winter and, until we become connected to the main line at Northallerton, we are still depending on the tourist business."

Next Saturday, a Redmire Rambler service will travel from Cardiff and Bristol to Wensleydale.

Two 40-year-old Class 50 diesels will make the journey.

Experts say it will be the first time this model has travelled on the Wensleydale line.

The charter train will replace the last scheduled train to Redmire.

Passengers can board at Leeming at 2.35pm, or as it travels up the dale at Bedale, Finghall and Leyburn.

The next day, a Mother's Day service will run. Mothers will receive a gift onboard.

The company this week released its April 6 to July 31 timetable.

The timetable shows that scheduled trains will run between Redmire and Leeming Bar on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, except during school holidays, when the service will be increased to seven days a week.

Mrs Annison said promotional services will be arranged around local events such as the Dales Festival of Food and Drink at Leyburn.

Offers for passengers will also be available for the 150th anniversary of the opening of Leyburn Station, on May 19, and Community Rail Day, on May 20.

Call (01677) 425805 for details of the Redmire Rambler, or 08454 505474 for tickets.