Rail tourism winners announced

A number of innovative projects to boost rail-related tourism have been revealed in a million pound competition, funded by the UK government.

It is hoped that the project will boost numbers of overseas tourists visiting the ‘hidden gems’ of the nations heritage and community railways.

The competition, part of a five-point government plan to boost tourism in the UK, has generated 17 winners, who will receive grants ranging from £25,000 to £75,000 to develop their ideas.

Projects within the competition include: extending the heritage line from Chinnor to its former terminus at Princes Risborough station; expanding the luxury Pullman services on the North Yorkshire moors, and adapting them for wheelchair users in Sussex; and developing a new ‘velorail’ in Kidwelly, creating a new tourist attraction, giving visitors the chance to drive a train by pedal power.

Rail Minister Claire Perry said: “We want to show the best of British to our visitors, and heritage and community railways are part of that package. Thanks to this competition, 17 railways organisations right across Britain will be able to invest in promoting and boosting what they have to offer to visitors.”

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