{"id":"1dbhxl38","organisation":"vmkj08cc","title":"Founders Ticket - Be written into the history of a Victorian railway bridge.","description":"

Some pieces of railway history are lost forever. This one was saved. This Victorian footbridge is one of the fortunate few.

For over 120\nyears, the footbridge served Garforth Railway Station, carrying generations of\npassengers safely across the line. When modernisation of the UK’s East Coast\nMain Line required electrification and improved accessibility, the bridge could\nno longer remain in place. Its removal was essential for safety, space, and\nstep-free access to both platforms.\n\nBut\nas a listed historic structure, demolition was never an option. A\nsafe, long-term home was urgently needed.\n\n
\n\n

A Bridge Saved — But Not Yet Secure

BWLR\nstepped forward and offered to provide that home. Our\nrailway committed to rescuing the bridge, preserving it, and re-erecting it\nover our 2-foot gauge line, where it will once again serve the public. The\nbridge will be located at the point where a public footpath crosses the line, ensuring continued access and allowing visitors to experience an\nauthentic piece of Victorian railway engineering up close. This\nis not a static exhibit! It\nwill be a working, accessible structure, used and appreciated every day.\n\n

A Project Backed by Heritage Partners

This\nrescue effort is already supported by respected organisations and local groups:

The Railway Heritage Trust has funded the groundworks\n and foundations required for the bridge’s re-erection
The Trust has also offered further funding towards\n completion of the project
Local cycling clubs raised £1,000 last year to help\n fund replacement bolts
Our railway is powered by over 50 dedicated volunteers,\n all committed to securing a safe, long-term future for this piece of\n industrial heritage

\n\nUp-to-date\nrestoration progress can be followed here:\n\n

https://bwlr.co.uk/about/infratstructure/garforth-station-footbridge-relocated-at-bredgar/

Why We Need Your Help Now

Despite\nthis incredible support, the project is at least £30,000 short of the funds\nrequired to complete the restoration and re-erection of the bridge. Without\nthis final funding, the bridge cannot be completed and reopened to the public.\n\n \n\nThis\nis the critical moment.\n\n

The Founders’ Ticket — A Once-Only\nOpportunity

To\nhelp close this funding gap, we are offering a Founders’ Ticket — created for\nthose who care deeply about railway history, engineering, and preservation.\n\n \n\nThis\nis not a standard appeal. It\nis an invitation to become permanently associated with the survival of a\nVictorian railway structure. Once\nthe bridge is restored and reopened, this opportunity will never be repeated.

\n\n
\n\nWhat Your Founders’ Ticket Includes

* Permanent\nrecognition on a brass plaque

Your\nname engraved on a brass plaque displayed alongside the restored bridge,\nmarking your role in saving and reinstating this historic structure.
\n\n * Invitation\nto the private unveiling reception

Attend\nthe official unveiling before public access, alongside invited guests,\ndignitaries, press, and fellow supporters. The date has yet to be set but will likely be Spring 2027.

* First\nofficial crossing of the restored bridge

Be\namong the very first to cross the bridge after the ribbon is cut — a symbolic\nmoment recorded as part of the railway’s archive.\n\n

* One-year\npass to railway events

Unlimited\naccess to our railway’s public events for a full year, allowing you to enjoy\nthe results of your support first-hand. (This includes General admission at Christmas, however exludes grotto visit tickets).

\n\nA Living Future for Victorian\nEngineering

Victorian\nrailway structures were built to last — but only if we choose to protect them.\n\nBy\nsupporting this project, you are helping to:\n\n

Preserve an authentic, listed Victorian footbridge
Return a historic structure to public use
Protect Britain’s industrial heritage for future\n generations
Ensure this bridge is experienced, not forgotten

\n\n

This\nbridge will stand not as a relic, but as a working part of a living railway.

Founders' Tickets Details

Minimum donation: £250

Additional donations are warmly welcomed and make a direct difference to the completion of this project.

Founders; Tickets are available for a limited time only, during the restoration phase. Once the bridge is complete the opportunity to become a Founder will close permanently.

Help secure a permanent home for a historic bridge. If you value railway history. If you believe listed structures deserve a future. If you want your support to be visible, lasting and meaningful.

We would truly appreciate your help.

~Become a Founder.

Be written into the History of a Victorian Railway Bridge. Help ensure it stands - and is used - for generations to come.

PLEASE NOTE

The date set for these tickets is illustrative only - the date for the Opening Reception will be communicated to you by email months in advance.

\n\n

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