Going, going, gone!

Dinner with North Yorkshire Moors Railway’s Piglet anyone?

North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR), the setting for Channel 5’s hit programme, The Yorkshire Steam Railway: All Aboard, is giving people the chance to dine on a Pullman with the popular real-life character Piglet, accompany the General Manager Chris on a Footplate along the heritage line, or experience a week’s stay in the Levisham camping coach, all in a bid to keep Britain’s busiest steam railway on track.

The popular heritage attraction has made no secret of the big financial hit that COVID-19 has had on the railway so the charity is launching an online auction, which bidding can commence from 27 April at 11am. There are some incredible prizes under the virtual hammer, enabling members of the public to place their bids and be in with a chance of winning.

Prizes include a journey through North York Moors National Park on a steam locomotive, a delicious Pullman dining experience for two, and even the chance to have a personalised headboard displayed on a daily service train, which can be taken home as a keepsake, alongside other items that are up for auction*. 

The charity’s General Manager, Chris Price, comments: “We’re not one to rest on our laurels and given the current climate, and the emotional and mental toll that coronavirus is having, we wanted to do something proactive and productive to try and raise some vital funds to keep us steaming on in the future.

“Not to mention to try and provide a bit of light relief in these gloomy times. Piglet and I have a bit of a bet going on between ourselves to see whose auction will raise the most money for the railway – this isn’t about the money it’s about who’s more popular on the TV programme, so I’m dearly hoping it will be me!

“We’ve projected a loss of over £1million over the forthcoming weeks and we’re doing everything we can behind the scenes to give ourselves a fighting chance to carry on, but we really do need to raise some money to keep going. Anyone that bids and wins can rest assured that 100% of their donation will go directly to helping secure a future for the railway.”

*Auction items include:

• Festive afternoon tea for two
• Pullman dining experience for two
• Whitby afternoon tea for two
• Family daily service ticket (two adults and two children)
• Footplate ride with Chris Price
• Personalised headboard and family ticket (two adults and two children)
• Photography day with Charlotte Graham
• Pullman dining lunch experience with ‘Piglet’
• A seven day stay in the newly refurbished Levisham camping coach for up to five people
• Priceless" tour of the engine sheds with the railway's Head of Traction & Rolling Stock, Paul Middleton - aka Piglet, for up to four guests

To view items visit:

Auction

To find out more about NYMR or to make a donation to its ongoing crisis appeal, visit nymr.co.uk/crisis-fund

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is an award-winning charitable trust that carries 300,000 unique passengers every year. It is Britain’s most popular heritage railway and is one of the best visitor attractions in the North East.

The NYMR trust relies heavily on donations and the work of its many volunteers. The 180-year old railway needs to raise vital funds during its operating season so its railway bridges and its 50-100-year-old vehicles can remain viable.

• The NYMR cares for operating and developing the railway it owns from Pickering to Grosmont.
• The heritage railway operates over Network Rail from Grosmont to Whitby.
• The charity provides a high quality, safe and authentic evocation of the steam age for the public.
• The NYMR is an Educational Charitable Trust. Providing education for all ages.
• The railway is a fully accredited museum.