Insurance threat to historic railway's future

THE country's longest heritage railway opens today but it's future is being threatened by massive insurance costs.

The Waterford and Suir Valley (W&SVR) heritage railway, which is five years in the making, joins a growing list of tourist attractions buckling under the weight of insurance premiums.

"The cost of insurance is absolutely massive. It threatens the viability of the company, without a doubt," said Maria Kyte, business development manager.