Carriages

The NYMR has a fleet of operational carriages used for general train services on the railway. The number of carriages (rake) on any train varies according to anticipated requirements for that time of year with the maximum of 7 carriages on any one train. 3 sets of carriages are required to operate the current day to day services at the railway. The bulk of the service trains are formed of the British Railway built Mk1 variety. Each set includes an accessible carriage, which is a much improved visitor experience, for example wheelchair users, developed as part of the Heritage Lottery Funded Yorkshire’s Magnificent Journey project.

When British Railways was formed on 1 January 1948, it was recognised that a new and standardised approach to carriage production was required. A review of the best features of stock from the ‘Big Four’ railway companies (Great Western, Southern, London Midland and Scottish and London North Eastern), and taking account of post war austerity, the need for economy and also recognised restrictions on materials, lead to the development of the ubiquitous “Mark 1” (Mk1) carriage. These were produced in the thousands throughout the 1950s and 1960s for use across Great Britain on main line and secondary services. Good quality timber almost impossible to obtain and although steel supplies were not abundant, they were available if standard shapes and sizes were acceptable. As a result of this and along with the standardisation of carriage design, steel, which was then painted, was the material used for the new carriages.

Whilst many of these carriages still exist across Great Britain, they are all historic in their own right being 60 years and older. The Mk1s at the NYMR carry two distinct former British Railways liveries, Carmine & Cream (often known as 'Blood & Custard' or 'Plum & Custard') and lined Maroon.

Most of the carriages found on the NYMR are of types duplicated in other collections. Care is taken to ensure that individual vehicles selected for any necessary adaptation to meet current safety standards or needs are not original or unique type examples.

The standard styles of vehicle were each produced in a multitude of internal layout variations: compartment and open saloon, first and third class, guards and luggage accommodation, buffet, kitchen and dining facilities, all finding their place. Trains were typically made up of a combination of vehicle types to meet the needs of the service they were used on.

Each carriage was given its own unique reference number at the time of its production but as well as the number, it will have a prefix. Before exploring information about each of the carriages at the NYMR, you may find it helpful to check out what the abbreviations on the ones to be seen at the NYMR mean in the Glossary.

Fuss free access carriages (non heritage)

Each set of carriages in operation includes an accessible carriage. There are currently four of these carriages (a further one in progress). They have been converted to provide a much improved visitor experience, for example, for any wheelchair users so there is more space to travel comfortably and be with other friends or family members. There is also an accessible toilet in each of these carriages.

This development was one of the projects supported by the successful National Lottery Heritage Fund appeal Yorkshire’s Magnificent Journey in 2018. The accessible carriage is located in the same position on every set enabling visitors and station staff alike to know where they need to be positioned to access it, for example for a wheelchair user to board the train.

The North Yorkshire Pullman Dining Service

The railway operates a genuine Pullman train bedecked in the famed Umber & Cream livery. The carriages used for dining include four Pullman and one Mark 1 converted for specialist dining use. At any one time, there are usually 4 carriages forming the Pullman Dining Train.

Static Carriages

There are a number of carriages around the railway with a permanent base and with a wide variety of uses, including supporting learning opportunities, offering accommodation, providing storage and supporting operational uses.

Learning Coach

Learning coach, based at Goathland Station. This former Pigeon van, converted to be a static vehicle offering additional an additional base for learning experiences at the NYMR. Supported through the National Lottery Heritage Fund appeal Yorkshire’s Magnificent Journey, it is available to visit any day when the NYMR is operating trains and hosts a number of specific learning based events mainly for children.

Accommodation Carriages

There are two Camping Coaches, one located at Levisham Station and one at Goathland Station. You can read about the history of holidays on railways here (link to article on holidays under tracks and tales). The Camping Coaches (and also the Station House at Grosmont) are available to hire for holidays. Watching the trains go by from the comfort of these carriages is a great experience, as is the chance to travel frequently on the line.

Storage and Supporting operational uses

There are also a number of other coaches used to support operational activities or provide storage, one example is the upholstery carriage where the work on carriage seating is undertaken.