Full steam ahead for Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway’s landslide appeal

Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway has been humbled by the response it has had to its appeal for funds after multiple landslips on the line last month.
The No19 in the woods on the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway. Photo by Peter Backhouse.The No19 in the woods on the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway. Photo by Peter Backhouse.
The No19 in the woods on the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway. Photo by Peter Backhouse.

Plans to re-open the line, run by the Scottish Railway Preservation Society (SRPS), had to be put on hold following almost six months with no income due to the effects of Covid-19 on the country.

Because of multiple landslips along a mile-long stretch of the heritage railway, the line has been closed to passenger trains until the damage can be repaired.

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The Society launched an Emergency Landslide Appeal and raised more than £90,000 in just over two weeks.

Notably one of the attraction’s youngest fans, Cameron (5) has pledged to run five miles, twice around the Linlithgow Loch loop, in return for donations towards the cause. To date Cameron has raised more than £800, hundreds more than his initial target of £100.

Cameron’s Dad, Alistair said: “He cannot wait to return to the railway, and the landslide spurred him on to come up with the idea. We had a trial run around Linlithgow Loch last week and Cameron managed well, so I think five miles is about right in terms of a challenge for his age.”

Amanda Kilburn, business development director at the award- winning visitor attraction, said: “We are so touched that Cameron is making a really special effort to help us reach our target. Please head to our appeal page to see his story and donate what you can to help cheer him on.

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“We hope that when it is safe to re-open the railway again we can give him a special thank you and wish him lots of luck in his run.”

SRPS chairman Steve Humphreys added: “We have been inundated by good wishes and donations to our appeal. I have been really touched by the obvious affection people have for the railway. With their continued help we will re-open again. The project is in its very early stages as we begin to make a plan to bring the line back in to use.”

To donate to the appeal, click here.

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