Thrill-seekers help protect heritage rail bridge

Thrill-seeking fans of a heritage railway in North Yorkshire are expected to make the jump of their lives next month as they raise much-needed funds for a landmark bridge.

Bridge 42 at Grosmont is the "hardest working" structure on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) and needs urgent work to protect it for the future, staff at the railway have said.

Half the £800,000 needed has so far been raised, but NYMR staff and volunteers will bungee jump 138ft (42m) from another bridge to raise further cash.

Peter Fisher, one of those taking part, said it was "such a different way of raising funds" for the railway.

The Grade II listed structure was built in the mid-1840s and supports about 10,000 locomotive movements every year, according to the NYMR.

To restore Bridge 42 to its long-term structural integrity, an appeal was started at the beginning of the year to raise funds so urgent repairs could be carried out to its stone and brick arch masonry.

The work would include scaffolding and track removal, followed by strengthening of the brick arch, water damage protection and work to secure drainage, according to NYMR.

The measures would allow trains to cross the bridge throughout the 2026 season without disruption, a spokesperson said.

Staff and volunteers of the heritage railway plan to carry out their bungee jump from Larpool Viaduct in Whitby.

It has been organised by UK Bungee Club and is due to take place on 20 September.

Fisher, from NYMR, said he hoped the bungee crew would raise an extra £10,000 towards the appeal.

"It's been great to see the group of us come together for this, from various areas of the railway, all with the common goal of raising money to protect the heritage railway," he said.

As a registered charity, the NYMR said it relied on its supporters to fund projects of the scale that required specialist materials, skilled contractors and careful working in a sensitive environment.

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