Channel 5 Series Synopsis

'The Yorkshire Steam Railway: All Aboard' goes behind the scenes at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway; taking us back in time to the golden age of steam. A tireless army of staff and volunteers give us the inside track on what it takes to run a heritage railway. This year they’re celebrating their fiftieth anniversary and we join them as they welcome coach trips, wedding parties and train spotters alike in what they hope will be the railway’s busiest year yet.

Episode 1 - Friday 2nd March, 8pm Channel 5

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is about to open its door for a new season. To pull in the crowds they’ve hired in star steam engine, Royal Scot, to headline for the week. For General Manager Chris, it’s an expensive gamble. This big and powerful steam engine was designed to thunder from London to Glasgow on mainline rails but the heritage railway has much smaller platforms and bridges. Until Royal Scot arrives from her London base and goes through a gauging run on the line they won’t know if she will actually fit the railway.

Head of Carriage and Wagon Kieran, is responsible for the carriages which Royal Scot will pull. But with only one day to give them a test run he’s under pressure - especially as some of them haven’t been in service for five years.

The Pullman dining car, offering posh nosh on the move, is back in business. On the first run of the season it gets hot under the collar in the kitchen as Dining Manager Gill and her daughter Head Chef Sammie negotiate a new menu and seating plan.

And on the VIP’s day, star steam engine Royal Scot develops a problem with her boiler. She’ll be going nowhere unless Engine Shed Manager Piglet can get her fixed. With the platform already filling up and the great and the good of Yorkshire awaiting their Royal ride, Piglet calls upon the expertise of Head Boilersmith Mark. But can the lads get the old engine fixed and build a full head of steam in time to save the day?

Earlier this year, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) awarded NYMR £4.6M as part of the £9.2M Sustainability Project, NYMR’s Yorkshire’s Magnificent Journey Appeal. To deliver the investment programme, the NYMR urgently needs to raise approx. £2.5M from members, passengers and the public over the next five years. We need your help! Please donate nymr.co.uk/YMJ

Image courtesy: keithsimpson.photography