The railway was abandoned from Flitholme in 1974, the track bed was sold piecemeal, a survey carried out in 1996 revealed that a majority of the new owners were in favour of the reinstatement of the railway and are willing to negotiate with the Trust for the use of the former trackbed. Musgrave bridge was demolished as recently as the1980's and forms the greatest challenge in getting back to Kirkby Stephen East station.

Once we have a fully established and operational railway running between Warcop & Appleby with sufficient financial reserves behind us, we will begin to consider the ramifications of rebuilding the eastern extension along the former trackbed from Warcop to Kirkby Stephen East, which will include an environmental survey, a new Transport and Works Order giving us the statutory powers to reconstruct and operate the extension. Some embankments would then have to be rebuilt, as well as some major civil engineering features such as the now demolished Musgrave bridge, along with other bridges on this section. We know this is a formidable task, but we are not deterred by the prospect. In the meantime the former Kirby Stephen East Station is in the ownership of Stainmore Properties Ltd, a holding company formed at the request of the Eden Valley Railway Society to secure the site for the future.

The Trust has already committed considerable time and money to Kirkby Stephen East  site. In 1998 we commissioned a feasibility study for Kirby Stephen East Station, the study concluded that a stand alone railway operation at Kirkby Stephen was not commercially viable and that we should concentrate on using the site for letting as industrial or craft space and an events venue until the arrival of the railway from Warcop.

Some initial design work on the future development of the Kirby Stephen East site has been carried out by Cumbria County Council and English Estates. It is unlikely that the existing Kirby Stephen East station buildings will be used for passengers on the Trust's reinstated train service, they are likely to be accommodated on a new station to the west of the existing buildings.

We are however, realistic and we must have patience. The Trust will not commence phase two until we have updated the previous feasibility study for Kirby Stephen East Station, and then only if the study supports the extension. We are certain we have our priorities right, and have established our base at Warcop. If you would like to help us in our aims...

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