Cycling fans heading to the finish of one of Britain's biggest road races will be able to avoid congestion and road closures thanks to a special rail service being laid on in North Yorkshire.
Wensleydale Railway has announced a dedicated park and ride train for the finish of Stage 4 of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men's Cycle Race, which finishes in Leyburn market place on Saturday, September 5, 2026.
The heritage railway will run five trains between Leeming Bar, Bedale, and Leyburn throughout the day.
Class 47
(Image: Nick Keegan)
Nick Keegan, marketing and fundraising manager at Wensleydale Railway, said: “If you’re heading to the race - with or without a bike - why not let our trains take the strain! Leave the car behind, sit back and enjoy a relaxing scenic train journey with us.
"With five trains to choose from, you have plenty of time to spend the day in and around Leyburn before enjoying the race finish!"
The final train will depart Leyburn at 6.30pm, giving spectators ample time to enjoy post-race celebrations before heading home.
To support the service, Wensleydale Railway will run longer trains with increased bike-carrying capacity.
Cyclists will be able to board without dismantling their bikes, making it a convenient option for those arriving on two wheels.
Families can also take advantage of the railway’s "kids for a quid" offer, allowing children aged three to 15 to travel for just £1 when accompanied by a full-paying adult.
In partnership with the Little White Bus, a community transport provider, a free shuttle service will run between Leyburn Station and the town’s market place.
Donations to support the community bus scheme will be welcomed on the day.
Wensleydale Railway volunteers will also be present at the finish line, hosting a promotional stall alongside other heritage and cultural attractions.
Station cafes along the line will be open throughout the day, serving hot and cold drinks, snacks, craft beer, ice cream, cakes, and light refreshments.
The Tour of Britain men’s race begins in Lincoln on 2 September.
Riders will cover 565 miles through Lincolnshire, East and North Yorkshire, before finishing in Earlston in the Scottish Borders.
Wensleydale Railway is a volunteer-led heritage line operating between Scruton and Leyburn, on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
It offers heritage diesel train services, with restored historical stations and guided tours led by costumed interpreters.
The railway is currently working to reopen the 5.5-mile section between Leyburn and Redmire, closed since 2020 due to track and infrastructure issues.
Mr Keegan said: “Families can take advantage of our kids for a quid travel offer, which allows children aged 3-15 to travel for only £1 on our trains with a full-paying adult. We have also added an additional train to our scheduled services and dedicated bike carrying capacity will also be available for customers travelling by bike. It’s free to bring your bike onboard our trains, with a valid travel ticket. Please speak to the train guard and they will ensure that your bike is correctly loaded into our separate storage coach.”
The railway is currently running a fundraising appeal to support track repairs, drainage improvements, and the eventual return of passenger services to Redmire by 2027.
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The Wensleydale Railway Trust, the line’s charitable arm, supports conservation and education efforts and operates a Heritage Education programme for schools and the wider public.
It also works to foster community engagement along the railway route.
Full details of the special train timetable and ticket booking are available on the Wensleydale Railway website at wensleydale-railway.co.uk.
Race information and maps can be found on the British Cycling website at britishcycling.org.uk/tourofbritain.