Interregnum and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (1965 to the present)

Starting in 1967 as a small group of concerned local people who wished to see the Grosmont to Pickering line brought back to life, they gradually obtained access to the line with permission to carry out maintenance and run occasional ‘Steam Galas’ when steam trains could be run strictly for members only (for insurance reasons). The society grew and turned itself into a charity (to ensure no-one could take over the railway for personal profit). Quite early on it was realized that for such a large undertaking some permanent (paid) staff would be required to supplement the many volunteer workers and maintain continuity when volunteers were not available in sufficient numbers. From one person in 1972 the numbers have grown to one hundred full time paid staff and around fifty part time paid staff (in the summer months), still supported by a large number of volunteers. A lot of this growth was forced by the NYMR’s need to establish its own maintenance and administrative infrastructure, it could no longer rely on a head office at York and heavy engineering works at York, Darlington, Doncaster and elsewhere.

6th March 1965: Malton – Whitby passenger service withdrawn (line closed Pickering-Grosmont).

3rd June 1967: First meeting of 10 like-minded enthusiasts to discuss the preservation of the line.

18th November 1967: North Yorkshire Moors Railway Preservation Society inaugural meeting in Goathland village hall.

February 1968: First production of the membership magazine.

9th August 1968: Arrival of the first rail vehicle (railbus No. W79978).

2nd February 1969: First rail movement from Pickering to Grosmont (0-4 OST Mirvale).

19th May 1969: Preservation Society was able to hand over the 10% deposit agreed with British Rail, renovation of the line could now start.

2nd November 1969: Last British Rail scrap removal train departs via Rillington.

28th March 1970: First NYMR Member’s Day passenger trains.

1971: British Rail applied for a Draft Light Railway Order which was transferred over to the Preservation Society.

23rd July 1971: First steam passenger train, Grosmont to Pickering, North Riding County Council Chairman’s and Councillors’ day out.

31st December 1971: North York Moors Historical Railway Trust incorporated as a successor to the Preservation Society.

14th February 1972: Registered as a Charity under the North York Moors Historical Railway Trust.

1973: The first locomotive shed came into use at Grosmont and the Membership magazine is rebranded as ‘Moors Line’.

22nd April 1973: Commencement of NYMR public services (Grosmont to Pickering).

1st May 1973: HRH Duchess of Kent officially opened the NYMR.

24th May 1975: Public services extended into Pickering Station.

16th August 1979: Pullman Dining Train service commenced.

1984: A shed was purchased at Pickering for the Carriage and Wagon maintenance depot.

11th October 1987: First through train from Whitby to Pickering in the preservation era.

1990: Extension to Pickering up platform came into use. Ian Allen Railway Heritage Awards, commendation for the wooden waiting room/booking office, re-located from Sleights to the extended down platform at Grosmont.

1996: NER design signal box commissioned at Grosmont Station.

1999: National Railway Heritage Awards, Railway World category, commendation for the renovation, almost amounting to rebuilding, of Levisham waiting and ladies’ room, including the provision of a completely new ‘period’ interior with in-style ladies’ toilets.

2000: National Railway Heritage Awards, Ian Allen Publishing Award, for the renovation of the Goods Shed and the coal and lime cells at Goathland in 1999, including the conservation of the Goods Shed into a café using restored open wagons to provide seating.

2001: National Railway Heritage Awards, Westinghouse Signalling Award, for the signal box at Grosmont built to an 1870’s design.

2004: Third platform face at Grosmont lengthened for longer trains.

6th March 2005: 40th anniversary of the 1965 closure of the line.

17th September 2005: NYMR approves the extension of operations to Whitby and the Esk Valley Line

2006: National Railway Heritage Award, for the provision of staff, public and disabled toilet facilities. Providing these essential facilities in a manner that blended in with their heritage surroundings

13th December 2006: Railway Safety Case accepted for NYMR Esk Valley Line operation.

17th January 2007: NYMR train operator’s Passenger Licence issued and access contract with Network Rail signed.

13th February 2007: First NYMR train on Network Rail (route learning special).

3rd April 2007: Commencement of NYMR passenger operation to Whitby.

2007: Large Railway of the Year, awarded by members of the Heritage Railway Association.

August 2008: First Junior Volunteers Week.

19th April 2010: Bridge 30 completion unveiled by music producer and rail enthusiast, Pete Waterman.

2010: Heritage Railway Association – Large group award for the ground breaking civil engineering project to rebuild bridge 30 paving the way for all Heritage Railways to have the confidence to carry out major civil engineering.

5th June 2010: Reussner Learning Centre opens on platform 2 of Pickering Station.

22nd October 2010: Official opening of the Visitor Centre on platform 2 of Pickering Station.

April 2011: Pickering Station roof restored as part of Train of Thought project.

2014: Ian Allen award for best overall project for Pickering Station ‘Train of Thought’ project incorporating the new Learning Centre and replacement of the overall roof awarded by National Railway Heritage.

15th August 2014: Second platform at Whitby opened for NYMR trains.

2014: Large group award for Platform 2 at Whitby Station and Grosmont re-signalling awarded by the Heritage Railway Association.

December 2014: Supporters award for rebuilt NER lamp hut at Levisham awarded by National Railway Heritage.

2015: National Railway Heritage Awards, Westinghouse Signalling Award for the re erection of Falsgrave signal gantry at Grosmont.

2016: Winner or the White Rose Award - Yorkshire Event of the Year - Flyings Scotsman Returns