Is the Railway open? Expand The Railway is currently open to pre-booked ticket holders only. We ask that all passengers, including members, to pre-book their visit online in advance. Our Booking Offices at Pickering and Grosmont will not be open and you not be able to purchase a ticket. 2020 Services Welcome Back Services - 1st - 14th August 2020 Services daily:Pickering to Levisham return onlyORGrosmont to Goathland return only Click here to book tickets for our Welcome Back services. The Optimist - 17th August to 13th September 2020 Services daily from Pickering only. Service 1: Pickering departure 09:20 and will depart Whitby 14:00. Allowing approx. 3 hours in Whitby. Service 2: Pickering departure 12:00 and will depart Whitby at 16:30. Allowing approx. 2 hours 45 minutes in Whitby. Click here to book 'The Optimist' Our team have been busying preparing the railway to accommodate one-way flows around the platforms please follow the signposts when you arrive. We can accept contactless payments within the cafes and shop and social distancing measures have been put in place. Please note there will be no on-board catering facilities.
Why do I need to pre-book? Expand As part of our phased re-opening, and to ensure social distancing measures, we are offering a limited service. To help us monitor capacity, our Booking Offices will remain closed and we are asking guests to book tickets online in advance. Tickets cannot be purchased on the day.
Why are you only operating non-stop services? Expand These services were carefully considered to ensure passengers can be socially-distanced on both the carriages and platforms. Additionally we are a registered charity run by volunteers, so we have had to manage our resource carefully. The pandemic has impacted the railway and we have lost vital income from not being able to operate during the 2020 season. Please help to keep us steaming by purchasing a ticket to travel. Your support makes an enormous difference to helping to keep us running.
What ticket types are available? Expand Welcome Back Services - 1st -14th August Compartment: £100 (max 6 people) Family: £80 (min 2/max 4 people) Duo: £40 (min 2 people) Single: £25.00 (Only available on 15:30 from Pickering each day) Members: Pre-book online from 1 July @ 10am The last service of the day, Pickering 15:30* will be available for current members to use their membership discount (50%). Tickets will need to be pre-booked online. You must bring your online confirmation and valid membership card on day of travel. Book Tickets 'The Optimist' - 17th-30th August Service 1: The Pickering departure at 09:20 will depart Whitby 14:00, allowing approx 3 hours in Whitby. Service 2: The Pickering departure at 12:00 will depart Whitby at 16:30, allow approx 2 hours 45 mins in Whitby. Standard Tickets: Individual Tickets: £35.00Duo: £70.00 (2 Adults/ 1 Adults & 1 Child) Family: £72 (2 Adults & 2 Children)Table (4 Adults) £140.00Private Compartments £150.00Dogs £3.00 Members receive 50% off standard ticket prices. For all other discounts click here. Book Tickets
Covid-19 Control measures Expand Covid-19 Control measures in place at the NYMR Advanced booking is required. To help us maintain capacity we are asking all guests to book online in advance. Enhanced cleaning regimes. We will be cleaning carriages and compartments after each service. Hand Sanitiser Stations will be provided. Contactless payments only for all Refreshment or Retail purchases. There will be no onboard catering facilities. We will be asking our guests to maintain social distancing whilst using our facilities. Toilets will be available at Pickering and Grosmont Stations. There will be no onboard toilets available. Unfortunately, you will not be able to visit the following areas at this time: All Booking Offices, Pickering Tea Room & Gift Shop, All Facilities at Levisham & Goathland and Grosmont Gift Shop. Passenger responsibilities We ask for your cooperation and that you always follow Government advice and local mitigations at all times including: Wear a face covering or mask whilst moving around the railway and on the train. These may be removed whilst seated in a compartment. Those exempt include children under 11 years old, passengers with disabilities, those with breathing difficulties and anyone travelling with someone who relies on lip reading. Wash Your Hands often and use the hand wash stations provided. Avoid touching your face. Observe social distancing. If you are feeling unwell or experiencing symptoms of Covid-19 we would ask you and members of your party or family group to not visit the railway. Please visit our Terms & Conditions.
How long will the journey take? Expand Welcome Back Services - 1st-14th August The total journey time will be approx. 1 hour. Departure times from Pickering and Grosmont – 09:30 / 11:30 / 13:30 / 15:30 The last train arrives back into Pickering or Grosmont at approx. 16:30 'The Optimist' - 17th - 30th August Service 1: The Pickering departure at 09:20 will depart Whitby 14:00, allowing approx 3 hours in Whitby. Service 2: The Pickering departure at 12:00 will depart Whitby at 16:30, allow approx 2 hours 45 mins in Whitby.
Fuss-free access Expand Passengers who require the use of a wheelchair can access the train via the Guards Van. Passengers will need to be able to transfer to their pre-booked seats.
Will these services be steam hauled? Expand Welcome Back Services - 1st - 14th August 2020 As part of a phased reopening, we are offering pre-booked, non-stop services with limited capacity. Services will operate between Pickering and Levisham, Grosmont and Goathland return, 7 days per week. Pickering & Grosmont Services: 09:30, 11:30, 13:30 & 15:30, non-stop return services. All services will be steam hauled, except the 15:30 ex Pickering which will be mixed traction. This service will be steam hauled to Levisham and Diesel hauled to Pickering, everyday. We reserve the right to suspend, reschedule or cancel services if operational circumstances or safety make this necessary. 'The Optimist' - 17th - 30th August 2020 'The Optimist' services are pre-booked, steam-hauled, with limited capacity. Service 1: The Pickering departure at 09:20 will depart Whitby 14:00, allowing approx. 3 hours in Whitby. Service 2: The Pickering departure at 12:00 will depart Whitby at 16:30, allow approx. 2 hours 45 mins in Whitby. We reserve the right to suspend, reschedule or cancel services if operational circumstances or safety make this necessary.
How do I book tickets for the Railway? Expand To minimise physical contact as much as possible, we’re now only accepting online bookings, made prior to your visit. This is so we can limit the number of visitors at the Railway each day. We look forward to seeing you at the Railway soon. Tickets are only available on the website and must be pre-booked. We will not be taking bookings via the Customer Services Telephone or on the day via the Bookings Offices. Refunds and Cancellation Due to services being pre-booked with limited capacity, we won’t be able to amend your ticket booking once purchased. Outstanding balances will be transferred to a Gift Card. If you are feeling unwell, neither you nor members of your household should visit. If you have pre-booked tickets, outstanding balances will be transferred to a Gift Card. In the event we are able to operate services before your return visit you will be able to move your date of visit, move the balance to a Gift Card or request a refund.
I have a Gift Voucher, Booking held for a later date or an upcoming visit. What do I do? Expand Due to delaying the start of the 2020 season we cancelled tickets month by month. If you have been issued a Gift Voucher or have a booking held you can redeem these for our services via Customer Service Team. You'll need to bring this booking confirmation to travel on the services. When contacting our Customer Service Team, please quote your booking reference. The offices are open Monday to Friday 09:00 – 15.00 whilst the railway is closed and Monday to Sunday 09:00 - 17:00 once operating trains. Contact [email protected] or telephone 01751 472508
Can I visit if I am a member? Expand Welcome Back Services - 1st-14th August The last service of the day (Pick 15:30) will be available for current members, with a 50% saving. This is valid on all membership types (Standard, Life, Premier Life & Premier First). Tickets will need to be pre-booked online. Please choose your day carefully, we won't be able to amend you ticket booking once purchased. We look forward to seeing you at the Railway soon. Standard Tickets: Pre-book online from 6 July @ 10am Compartment: £100 (max 6 people) Family: £80 (min 2/max 4 people) Duo: £40 (min 2 people) Single: £25 (only available on the 15:30* Pickering service) All Members Tickets: Pre-book online from 1 July @ 10am Compartment: £50 (max 6 people)* Family: £40 (min 2/max 4 people)* Duo: £20 (min 2 people)* Single: £12.50* *Discount only valid on the 15:30 from Pickering. We ask members to bring their membership card on the day of travel or if you are a new member (From April 2020) please bring your email confirmation. 'The Optimist' - 17th - 30th August Discounted members tickets (Standard, Life, Premier Life, Premier First & Shareholders) are available on both services, with a limited capacity. You must pre-book in advance. You will need to enter your Membership ID when booking. 17 - 30 August 2020 Standard Tickets Member Tickets Individual Ticket £35.00 £17.50 Duo Tickets (2 Adults/1 Adult & 1 Child) £70.00 £35.00 Family (2 Adults & 2 Children) £72.00 £52.50 (Adult/Child Standard Pricing) Table (4 Adults) £140.00 £70.00 Private Compartment (Max 6, Adult or Child) £150.00 £75.00 Dogs £3.00 Free Book Now
Can I bring a group to the Railway Expand We’ll be restricting the numbers of visitors coming to the Railway each day so that we can facilitate social distancing measures, adhering to the latest government guidance. For that reason, we won’t be able to accept large group bookings. If you’re a group organiser and would like to receive details when you can visit, please email [email protected]
Will school visits be allowed? Expand We’ll be restricting the numbers of visitors coming to the Railway each day so that we can facilitate social distancing measures, adhering to the latest government guidance. For that reason, we won’t be able to accept large school bookings. If you wish to book a school visit for a future date, please contact [email protected]
2020 Events - What's going ahead? Expand Unfortunately due to the pandemic we have had to make some difficult decisions and cancel the below events. Diesel Gala - 4, 5 & 6 June Behind the Scenes- 6 & 7 June 60s Fest - 4 & 5 July Annual Steam Gala - 24, 25, 26 & 27 September Railway in Wartime - 9, 10 & 11 October Santa Specials & Northern Lights: We're currently working to ensure that these events will provide a magical experience. We'll update you as soon as we know more!
I'm a Volunteer - Can I come back to volunteering at the Railway? Expand We are currently reviewing functions to get the Railway operational - We'll be in touch directly with the individual volunteer groups when it is possible to return to the Railway. We're really missing you! If you have any questions please email Marcus Aldrich, Head of Volunteers at [email protected]
What facilities will be open? Expand To adhere to government advice we have made the below changes: We have introduced one-way systems at both Pickering and Grosmont. All payments are contact free by card when purchasing any catering or retail products. Limited availability of refreshments. Although we will endeavor to provide refreshments on the day of your visit, these will be limited to takeaway products. There will be no onboard Trolley service. We will be asking our guests to maintain social distancing whilst using our facilities. There will be no onboard Toilets available. Unfortunately, you will not be able to visit the following areas at this time: All Booking Offices, Pickering Tea Room & Gift Shop, All Facilities at Levisham & Goathland and Grosmont Gift Shop. Car parks will be operational as normal, with a £5.00 charge.
Will Pullman and Speciality services run? Expand Unfortunately due to the historic carriage layouts we have made the difficult decision to cancel these services in 2020. If you require more information or if you have a booking for 2020 and you have not been contacted already, please call Customer Services 01751 472508 Mon-Sun 09.00 - 16.45.
Will Shed Tours, Photography courses and Footplate Experiences go ahead? Expand Unfortunately due to limited resource and changes to how we operate we will not be offering these additional experiences. We will update and review on a regular basis
Will the other Stations be open? Expand To adhere to government advice we have changed the way we are operating. We are limiting the capacity on the services and limiting how many Stations we reopen. Welcome Back Services - 1st - 14th August As part of a phased reopening, we are offering pre-booked, non-stop services with limited capacity. Services will operate from Pickering to Levisham non stop return, Grosmont to Goathland non stop return 7 days per week. Levisham Station, Goathland Station and Whitby Station we remain closed. We will be closely monitoring the situation. 'The Optimist' - 17th - 30th August As part of our second phase of opening 'The Optimist' will not stop at any intermediate stations - Levisham, Goathland & Grosmont. Currently we are unable to offer any other journeys.
Can you access the Stations if you have not pre-booked? Expand To manage capacity, passengers that have not pre-booked will not be able to access the Stations.
Can I bring my dog? Expand Welcome Back Services - 1st - 14th August Yes, well behaved dogs are welcome at no extra charge. Please keep then on a short lead at all times and they are not allowed on the seats. 'The Optimist' - 17th - 13th September Yes, well behaved dogs are welcome at £3 per dog. Members may bring dogs for free. We ask you to please keep then on a short lead at all times and they are not allowed on the seats.
Do I need to wear a face covering? Expand Passengers must wear a face covering or mask whilst moving around the railway and on the train. These may be removed whilst seated in a compartment. Those exempt include children under 11 years old, passengers with disabilities, those with breathing difficulties and anyone travelling with someone who relies on lip reading.
Tea Rooms and Gift Shops alterations? Expand Pickering Tea Room and Gift Shop on Platform 1 will remain closed. Limited refreshments and gifts will be available in the Classroom, Platform 2. Grosmont Gift Shop will remain closed. Limited refreshments and gifts will be available from Grosmont Tea Room. All payments in these areas must be contactless.
I have a wedding booked - Is this going ahead? Expand Unfortunately due to social distancing we will be unable to facilitate upcoming weddings. We will be monitoring the situation, following government guidelines.
Can I use a promotional offer or discount pass? Expand Unfortunately because we are limiting capacity on services we will not be accepting any promotional vouchers, offers or discount cards, such as HRA passes.