I'm sorry, but I have to correct this for you in the name of reality...
All the successful preserved lines have one thing in common - the vast majority of their revenue comes from non-railway enthusiasts. And, unfortunately, nobody apart from a railway enthusiast visits a railway for no other reason that it is a railway.
Alas, pretty as the Eden Valley undoubtedly is, it will also always be fighting the fact that it's in the shadow of its rather more illustrious neighbours to the west, on the far side of the M6, and to the south.
Where would the HR sector be, if it relied on pessimists? Have you never heard of a challenge?
Opinions are openly made, which is great, however I think you you are at risk from contradicting your self.
"Joe Public" visits railways because they are there. For some strange reason, from an early age we are brought up to have a fascination with railways. Some stick with this fascination and turn it into an interest or hobby, others don't but eventually if they have kids introduce them to it "for a day out" and so the cycle continues.
If a rail site provides a good offering to the public, they will return or at very least mention it to others who may attend.
It doesn't necessarily mean a railway has to go from "somewhere to somewhere", although it helps, its about whats there of interest and where money involved, whether it was valued.
The EVR, has a place despite other HR centres being in the North, as long as it raises its game.
Presently it is a large site with a track running west towards Appleby, but not into Appleby, stopping in the countryside.
The main ethos in my opinion that the EVR should present now, would be to make the site an interesting place to visit (Shed tours - when built, P-Way demonstrations, Drive loco for a fiver, good cafe, visiting attractions like vehicle rally's, military weekends, etc).
The push to Appleby will at some point be resolved and achieved.