For some years, the Ripon Railway Reinstatement Association campaigned for the restoration of rail passenger services to Ripon. In 1998, it commissioned a feasibility study to provide an initial forecast of potential demand for a passenger service from Harrogate.

In April 2003, the former lines between Harrogate, Ripon and Thirsk or Northallerton were identified as candidates for reopening in the Countryside Agency publication Railway Reopenings: An Audit for Yorkshire and the Humber. Six months later, JMP Consultants Ltd were appointed to investigate the case for restoring a service between Harrogate, Ripon and Northallerton or Thirsk.

Local and county councillors, ATOC, reportedly high level of public support locally, LibDems keen.

Much of the alignment remains intact although, since closure, some sections of line have reverted to agricultural use and development has taken place on the former trackbed in several locations. Along with others, one bridge over the A61 has been removed and the Ripon bypass made use of the alignment to the east of the town centre. Part of the trackbed is being converted into a foot and cycle path.

The results of the feasibility study were relatively encouraging although the economic benefits were modest. The most attractive option was a single track route over which a half-hourly service from Leeds-Ripon would be operated. In 2004, a cost of £40-43m was identified.

In June 2009, the line appeared on a list of potentially viable reopens presented by the Association of Train Operating Companies.

However it is believed that the association set up to campaign for the line to be rebuilt has been wound up.