Heritage railway’s competition puts it on track for anniversary

A competition is being launched by the North Yorkshire Moors Railway to design the official emblem for its landmark celebrations next year. The chosen logo will feature on items ranging from retail products, marketing campaigns and on all 400,000 of next year’s timetables.

All previous emblems have been created by professionals or adapted from previous main line railway artwork, but the younger generation are being asked to design the new logo.

The contest is open to children up to the age of 16 and the winner will be announced in October. It will be judged by a panel including the railway’s own artist in residence, Chris Ware, and the NYMR’s staff.

The railway carries more than 350,000 passengers a year and lays claim to being the world’s most popular heritage route. It was planned by George Stephenson to open trade routes inland from Whitby.

The line eventually fell victim in 1965 to Dr Richard Beeching’s infamous cutbacks to the rail network, but reopened again in 1973.

Research has shown that the railway brings in more than £30m a year to the local economy.

More information about the competition and how to enter by the closing date of September 30 is available by calling 01751 472508 or visiting www.nymr.co.uk.