Bridge 42: Appeal launched to repair 180-year-old bridge on the North York Moors Railway

Bridge 42 is one of more than 30 bridges and culvets that carries trains and passengers through the North York Moors every year.

Built in 1836 for the original Whitby and Pickering railway, Bridge 42 is celebrating its 180th anniversary this year and is a significant monument in its own right.

The Grade II listed structure which connects Goathland and Grosmont Village is the busiest bridge at the heritage railway, as it handles all locomotives entering and leaving Grosmont depot, with approximately 10,000 locomotive or train movements each year.

After nearly two centuries of service in a harsh moorland environment, Bridge 42 urgently needs major repairs to its stone and brick arch masonry.

Detailed inspections have been carried out and show that significant structural work is required to ensure the bridge remains safe, reliable, and fit for the future.

Repair work will include scaffolding and track removal, followed by work to strengthen the brick arch, protect it from water damage, and secure drainage before the rail infrastructure is re-instated for trains to once again run over.

The work is a complex and costly engineering project that requires specialist materials, skilled contractors, and careful working in a sensitive environment.

The NYMR has launched an appeal to pay for the work and the charity’s CEO Laura Strangeway said: “The repair of Bridge 42 is vital for the future of the NYMR, and as a complex project it is a costly one which is why we are asking for generous support to ensure that we can continue running and secure the future of our much-loved railway.

"The NYMR is much more than a tourist attraction - it is a vital heritage, economic, and community asset that boosts the regional economy, protects railway heritage, and supports local livelihoods.

"We hope you will support our future by donating to the Bridge 42 Appeal.”