A £2.5 million appeal has been launched to secure the future of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR).

The appeal, named the Yorkshire’s Magnificent Journey Appeal, is a £9.2m sustainability project designed to allow the railway to operate decades into the future.

Earlier this year, the Heritage Lottery Fund awarded NYMR £4.6m as part of the appeal. Now, to deliver the investment programme, the NYMR must raise about £2.5m from members, passengers and the public over the next five years.

John Bailey, the North Yorkshire Moors historical railway trust chairman, said: “Fifty years ago our founders had the vision and determination to re-open the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

“Today we face a challenge of similar scale. We are extremely grateful for the support from the National Lottery.

“With its backing, we can plan confidently both the implementation of essential projects and our appeal for the balance of funds required.

“This should ensure that, 50 years hence, people will still be learning from and enjoying the experience of steam across the moors.”

Keeping 18 miles of railway with more than 30 bridges through the undulating countryside of the North York Moors in top condition is described as a continuing challenge for the NYMR trustees.

The 180-year-old railway already invests about £1 million annually, but it says that there is “only so much the fare box can generate” and much more is needed for the railway bridges and its 50 to 100-year-old vehicles to remain viable.

The award-winning visitor attraction steams across the North York Moors carrying more than 350,000 passengers every year.

Owned and operated by an independent charitable trust with no public funding, day-to-day operation of the railway is carried out by volunteers who work steadily to improve the quality of the infrastructure, the railway vehicles and the experience of visitors.

To pledge your support, visit nymr.co.uk/YMJ.