Acclaimed record producer Pete Waterman OBE has added his support to the #LoveYourRailway nationwide campaign that champions heritage railway organisations with a special video message.

Mr Waterman is a passionate railway enthusiast who owns a number of steam and diesel locomotives, is President of the RBF (Railway Benefit Fund), a trustee/board member of several heritage railways and is also a keen model railway collector.

In his message, he says: “Over the last two years, the heritage movement has gone through some terrible times; we need your support now - large or small, without you we won’t survive. We’ve lasted all this time, we’ve done an amazing amount of things, we’ve gone from fields into wonderful workshops, but without you the public we can’t survive, so please support your local heritage railway. I’m Pete Waterman, thank you.”

Following the enormous success in 2021, the second annual ‘Love Your Railway’ campaign, brings together over 85 organisations from as far afield as Scotland, Snowdonia, Leighton Buzzard, and the Lake District* in the nationwide campaign which shines a spotlight on heritage railway organisations, encouraging visitors to support them this summer.

Spearheaded by NYMR, ‘Love Your Railway’ is a six-week campaign which runs over the summer holidays from 25th July to 4th September, with weekly themes covering conservation, education and research.

The six themed weeks are: History, Conservation, Partnerships, Family, Volunteers and Education. Throughout the campaign heritage railways are encouraging visitors and supporters to get involved and share photos and memories of their visits on social media using #LoveYourRailway

*For the full list of participating railways, go to www.nymr.co.uk/2022-lyr-collaborators