North Yorkshire Moors Railway :: A steam train adventure through the stunning Yorkshire Moors

Saturday 20th March – Timetable alteration

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:01:43 +0000

Due to a railtour on Saturday 20th March, our train service times will be slightly amended.

Depart Grosmont 13.55 (Instead of 13.10)
Arrive Whitby 14.15 (Instead of 13.35)

Depart Whitby 14.30 (Instead of 14.00)
Arrive Grosmont 14.50 (Instead of 14.20)

Take your seats for the first train over the new Bridge 30 – reopening weekend 27 & 28 March

phil.bustard — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:33:50 +0000

TAKE YOUR SEATS FOR THE FIRST TRAIN OVER THE NEW BRIDGE
Those who are keen on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, and have been following the progress of a major bridge replacement over the winter, now have a chance to make history by being some of the first to travel over the new structure. The opportunity arises on 27 and 28 March 2010, when the Moors Railway re-opens the line and marks the start of daily running for the year ahead.
Bridge 30 has carried the Moors Railway over the Eller Beck at Darnholme, between Grosmont and Goathland since 1864. It was in the midst of the January snow that the 145 year old wrought iron bridge was removed. Since then work has progressed well on the replacement structure with new steel beams lifted into place just a few weeks ago.
By the final weekend of March, new track and ballast will have been laid over the bridge, which spans 80ft, as well as on the approaches to the bridge. The project, estimated at £650,000, has been the biggest engineering challenge to face the heritage railway in years. Philip Benham, General Manager of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, said:
“The worst winter for 30 years was not the best time to be tackling such a major construction job but we simply had to do it, in the light of its condition, and before the start of the new season. We are relieved and delighted to see the new bridge now securely in place and close to completion. I want to pay tribute to those who have worked through often arctic conditions to achieve this.
“Apart from our own staff and volunteers, we also owe a great debt of gratitude to many, many people – not least our main partners, principle contractor, Construction Marine Limited, Volker Rail – who provided one of their high capacity cranes, A V Dawson – whose yard was used to tranship the beams from road to rail, and freight train operator DB Schenker – who moved the beams to Grosmont. The tolerance and patience of the neighbouring community around Goathland and Darnholme is also very much appreciated.”
For those who want to be first over the new bridge, a special train has been timetabled to depart from Grosmont station at 9am on 27 March. It will travel along the line as far as Goathland. A £5 supplementary fare, bookable in advance, will give access to one of the 350 seats on board the train. For a £10 supplementary charge, also bookable in advance, there is the opportunity to travel in style on board the Great Western Saloon, complete with panoramic view, refreshments, and a commentary from the Railway’s Civil Engineer, Nigel Trotter. But you’ll have to be quick as there are only 25 seats on board the saloon coach.
All who travel on the first train over the bridge will be given a souvenir certificate. Advance bookings can be made by going online at www.nymr.co.uk or over the phone, by calling 01751 472508.
Don’t despair if you fail to secure one of these seats on board the first train over the new bridge. The Railway will be running a shuttle service throughout the 27th and 28th March between Goathland station and the site of the new bridge. The Great Western Saloon carriage will be used to provide the shuttle, meaning that there will be 25 seats available on each trip, departing Goathland station at 10.05hrs, 11.05hrs, 1205hrs, 1305hrs, and finally at 14.05hrs – although there will only be 10 seats available on this last shuttle of the day, as seats have been reserved for local villagers whose goodwill has been vital in the overall success of the project.
Advance booking is needed for all seats on board the shuttles, at a cost of £10 on top of the ordinary fare. With refreshments and a commentary from either the Railway’s Civil or Bridge Engineers, it is expected that they will be popular with railway fans.
As it is the opening weekend for the Railway’s 2010 season, frequent services will be running between Pickering and Whitby, and between Pickering and Grosmont. Most services will be operated by steam engines, but a scenic heritage diesel car will also be in use over the weekend to give passengers the chance to view the bridge from the train’s panoramic windows.
Philip Benham said: “Getting hold of one of these limited £10 seats is a one-off opportunity. We’re simulating the railway director’s saloon of old, meaning that we can take our guests to the site of the bridge in great comfort. Along with a commentary from our Civil Engineer who can explain what the project involved, it should be quite an experience.”
A book about the engineering challenge of replacing Bridge 30, charting the work in the context of the line’s development, including the daily diary notes of Civil Engineer, Nigel Trotter, is to be produced and expressions of interest can be placed through the Railway.
A ceremony to formally mark the re-opening of Bridge 30 will take place later in the spring.
ENDS
Issued by Phil Bustard, Marketing & External Affairs Manager. Mobile 07837 405249.
Notes for editors: The Railway is continuing with its “Bridge and Wheels” Appeal which it launched a year ago, with the aim of raising £1 million for the Moors. Thus far, £650,000 has been raised to fund the bridge replacement. More public support is needed to raise the outstanding balance of £350,000, which is needed to fund the restoration of a vital steam engine, 80135.

20% discount on all March and April Moorlander dining trains

iris.woodhead — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:49:30 +0000

We are offering a 20% discount on all our Saturday Moorlander dining trains during March & April.

For further details contact Customer Services on 01751 472508

Moorland Diner services including Mothers Day

admin — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:54:35 +0000

We have seats available on our Moorlander trains throughout March. They depart from Pickering at 12:30 and a freshly cooked 3-course meal is served. Visit our Pullman pages here to find out more information, or call Customer Services on 01751 472508 to reserve your place.

Mothers Day

Why not treat your Mother to a freshly cooked 3-course meal on the Moorlander lunch time train service? We have limited seats available so book now for a trip on Yorkshires answer to the Orient Express!

Twitter and Facebook

admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:38:11 +0000

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is pleased to announce that we have joined the social networking revolution with our own Twitter and Facebook accounts. Find out more about the railway, interact in our Facebook group and upload your pictures to our galleries.

To join our Twitter feed to find out the latest happenings at the NYMR, click here for our profile.

Our Facebook group is growing and we have over 1,000 photos available. Join our Facebook group by clicking here.

Episode 12 of NYMR TV now available

admin — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:34:10 +0000

“Boots & Steam” – Moors Railway adds to the charm of Pickering’s first Walking Festival

admin — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:45:53 +0000

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway has given its backing to Pickering’s first walking festival, which will be held on Friday 16^th April, Saturday 17^th and Sunday 18^th April 2010.

The heritage steam railway, which serves as a gateway to the moors and coast, will add to the charm of a festival which could, if deemed successful, become an annual event. It will help provide some of the transport links in order to allow scores of walkers to enjoy the scenery in the North York Moors National Park.

The Railway will form an integral part of a Boots and Steam itinerary on Sunday 18^th April for those keen to relive the glory of steam, alongside a choice of walks ranging from 2.5 miles to 15 miles in length.

There will be other options on other days, including a Boots and Bus itinerary on the Saturday, and some local walks in and around Pickering to better appreciate its history and geology.

The event is being co-ordinated through Sam Borman, Chairman of the recently formed “Walkers are Welcome” group in Pickering. Mr Borman came up with the idea for a walking festival, as a means of attracting additional visitors to the town and the local area.

“There’s plenty of choice over the weekend, from a variety of linear and circular walks to local entertainment” said Mr Borman.

“We’ve taken great care to offer something for everyone, and with guides to ease the process. We want the overall experience to be a good one, so that visitors will want to return to the area again and again. We are delighted with the support we have received from the business community” he said.

Philip Benham, General Manager of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, said “Looking back, the Railways in Britain had a very close association with the great outdoors. Posters would promote places of interest, attractive scenery and pastimes including walking, cycling and enjoying the coast.. It makes absolute sense for us to support this new venture, and to add to the overall experience. We wish the organisers every success.”

Pickering is the 26^th town in Britain to adopt a “Walkers are Welcome” label. These are towns with like-minded people who are keen to promote enjoyment of the great outdoors through walking. The first town to adopt this approach was Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire. Since then a total of 36 towns across Britain have bitten the bullet – each pursuing community led initiatives designed to support the local economy.

A number of other local businesses have joined the Railway in backing the walking festival. Those keen to put their best foot forward can find out more by calling 01751 477325 or by going to www.pickeringwaw.btik.com . There’s a pick ‘n mix list of all walks and entertainment, each priced individually, enabling participants to simply choose what they’d like to do. Transport is included in the price, where relevant.

Update on Bridge 30 – Pictures

admin — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 09:21:42 +0000

Travel on the Esk Valley Line this week!

admin — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:20:06 +0000

Take a trip on the Esk Valley Line on Sunday from Whitby to Battersby, stopping at Grosmont, Glaisdale, Danby and Castleton. We also run a service from Grosmont to Whitby on Saturdays and Feb 15th to the 19th.

The Esk Valley is a great place for walkers, a hearty pub lunch, and to experience the speed and the power of our steam locomotives running over 24 miles of track.

You can purchase tickets online, or by visiting our booking offices at Grosmont and Whitby. To find out what there is to do on the line, click here where we have put a guide together.

FLOG IT

iris.woodhead — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:55:25 +0000

Recently, I placed on our website and email to all NYMR users, that we would be appearing on the BBC Two- Flog it Programme on the 9th February 2010, after receiving a letter from BBC Flog it, stating this would be happening, sadly we were not shown. We have again received a letter from the BBC announcing there will be another programme transmitted on Thursday 25th February 2010, at 3:45 pm “Whitby 22” .
The letter also asks that you check the listings, as schedules can be changed, and if possible please record the programme as VHS copies will not be able available.