With financial pressures higher than ever and continuing to increase, we are concerned about the future of the railway. We must make sure the Avon Valley Railway is secure for the next 50 years, and that we build for the future
Why we need your help!
2024 marks our 50th Anniversary, and we must secure the Avon Valley Railway for the next 50 years, however with increasing financial pressures on heritage railways across the country, the railway has found itself in a concerning position.
Various bills have skyrocketed, including coal for our steam engines, and the railway is still struggling to recover from the financial legacy of Covid-19 and supply chain issues from world events. This has been compounded by visitor numbers decreasing on some dates and volunteer shortages. For a volunteer organisation which is primarily a charity, this is extremely difficult to manage.
As well, maintaining a 150-year-old railway with engines over 100 years old in the 21st century is also an increasing challenge, with those skillsets decreasing and associated costs increasing.
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Our SOS Plan
To secure the Avon Valley Railway for the future we have a simple two-stage plan for our SOS (Save Our Steam) Appeal
Stage 1:
Initial funds from the appeal will go towards securing the railway’s future by improving its financial position. This will help combat any rising costs or unexpected bills we get operating a 150-year-old railway in the 21st century.
Stage 2:
Funds after a defined point will be used to help the railway ‘build for the future’, to ensure a sustainable operation of the railway in the future. For example, this could be for new infrastructure, major maintenance of existing infrastructure or rolling stock.
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What action is the railway taking?
Increasing the railway’s revenue is also key to securing a sustainable future.
Special dining services, alongside specific events, have been popular in recent years, with an aim to grow those as a railway. This is alongside special offers, such as our ‘Half Price for Half Term’ recently in February.
Post-covid we have also adapted our timetable and operating dates to suit changing passenger numbers, we keep this under review each year and will continue to make amendments where necessary to protect the railway’s income.
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