The Yorkshire Steam Railway: All Aboard, Channel 5, Friday 31st May at 8pm  

Episode Synopsis: Episode 3 - 100 This Year!

The North Yorkshire Moors Heritage Railway is preparing for one of the most important events this year, the Steam Gala Festival, where they’ll showcase steam engines which they have brought in from up and down the country.

The NYMR has agreed to swap its precious 100-year old Q6 engine, which is the last remaining example in the world, with another engine from the Severn Valley heritage railway. However, there’s a problem, the Q6 is at the end of a massive 2-year overhaul and is not up and running yet. If they can’t send the Q6 to the Severn Valley, the swap is off and the festival is ruined. 

With the date when the Q6 is due to leave around the corner, Boilersmith Mark discovers a crack in the engine box. He’s usually able to fix most engine problems but in this case, the crack can only be welded by a specialist steam copper welder. They try to contact everyone in the business but no one is available at short-notice to fix it. 

It’s no surprise they are struggling to get the Q6 back on track, this month, August 2018, marks the 50-year anniversary of the moment when the long reign of steam engines on British Railways came to an emotional end. John Fletcher takes us round the yard reminiscing about his time as a steam Fireman. John was on the footplate on the very last day of steam and one of his old engines sits languishing in the yard.  

Meanwhile, General Manager, Chris is off to Wales on the hunt for engines for the NYMR gala festival. He’s after a funny little engine called Douglas. Douglas lives at the Talyllyn Railway, a railway very close to Chris’s heart, not only was he the General Manager there before he came to Yorkshire, it was there that he first fell in love with trains as a volunteer at the age of 17.

The former slate mine railway has quite a claim to fame, Rev W Awdry, the man who wrote the Thomas the Tank Engine books, was a volunteer there. His books went on to inspire generations of train enthusiasts so it’s amazing to see the beautiful historic line which inspired him.

The only dampener is that Douglas is poorly so Chris can't drive it.  

Back in the engine shed at the NYMR, there is finally some good news, a welder arrives in the night and, like a magician, fixes the Q6. The engine passes a crucial test and can go off to Wales but not before Piglet and the lads celebrate its birthday.

Never travelled along the heritage line? Book now and travel along 24-miles of Yorkshire's stunning scenery! 

The NYMR trust relies heavily on donations and the work of its many volunteers. The 180-year old railway already invests around £1 million annually but there’s only so much the fare box can generate and much more is needed for the railway bridges and its 50-100 year old vehicles to remain viable. Donate today and help us sustain the railway for future generations to enjoy! Find out more www.nymr.co.uk/YMJ

• 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. 

   

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