The 'Heartbeat' of North Yorkshire (North Yorkshire Moors Railway)

Member Name: kjl12

Product:	North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Date:	25/07/05 (1431 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Steam trains, lovely scenery, great special events

Disadvantages: I don't live near enough to it!

The North York Moors Railway is located in the heart of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park and within a few miles of some the of the major coastal destinations in the county, which makes it an ideal day out if you're on holiday anywhere in the area. The line runs from Grosmont in the north (which is 6 miles from Whitby) and Pickering in the south (7 miles north of Malton). The line opened in 1836, but was closed in 1965. Like many of the best of Britain's steam railways, however, it was not neglected for very long and it has been run as a preserved line since 1974. The 24 mile long line travels through some of the finest scenery in the area as well as stopping at some really interesting locations along the way - this is one of the big players in the preservation game in this country. So here is your guide to an ideal day out for all the family.

We start at Grosmont for a very practical reason, and that's the ease of getting there in the first place! Parking is adequate, if not plentiful, in and around Grosmont and there is the added attraction that the village still has a mainline railway station (of sorts...more bus shelter actually) on the Whitby to Middlesborough line with a more or less regular service. You would, in my opinion, be foolish to start at Pickering at the other end unless your criteria for a great family day out inlcude a) traffic jams and b) riding around to find an elusive parking space for half the morning.

So, you're ready to go, but there are a few things of interest around and about before you set off. Head up off the main street, for example, and have a coffee in the lovely little art gallery or take a stroll down to the engine sheds. Yes, I know it sounds dull, but it's worth a look as you can see them working on these massive engines really close at hand, which is rare nowadays. And they've got a fascinating little shop in the engine shed which is a neat combination of the usual Thomas the Tank Engine fare and genuine railway memorabilia. On your way back there's a little picnic area as you approach the station, but you won't be stuck for picnic spots on the way, so don't worry if it's too early for your sarnies! At the station, one of the things that most struck me is the contrast between the steam railway station (friendly staff, fresh food in the buffet, shop, toilets etc) and the mainline station (bus stop). It just made me wish I was old enough to remember a proper railway in this country...anyway, off we go....

For the railway enthusiasts amongst you, there is a massive 1:49 gradient up to the next station of Goathland. Even if you think that could win the prize for dullest fact of the year, it does mean that the steam engine has to work really hard and that means an impressive head of steam and a really nice choo-choo sort of noise. Please stop me if I get too technical, won't you? Your first port of call is Goathland. It has to be said that it really does play on the fact that this is where they filmed Heartbeat, and you can see lots of the locations which make up Aidensfield. If, like me, you can't bear Heartbeat and never lasted more than five minutes watching it, it is still worth a visit as it's a pretty little place (in that slightly bleak north Yorkshire way) and there are a couple of nice pubs and tea rooms to explore. If you're feeling energetic, there is a leaflet that guides you on a walk between Goathland and Grosmont, and I would heartly recommend it - it's not only a pretty walk, but you get some great views of the trains. But do Goathland to Grosmont, not the other way round - boy will you notice the gradient!! Talking of gradients, Goathland is easily accessible, but there is a steep climb up from the station to the village to watch out for.

If you carry on down the line you come to Newton Dale Halt, another one of those little halts that I always talk about but never actually get off at. It sits nestled in the forest and apparently is the station in England which is furthest away from a public road, so really is one for the walkers - there's no actual station there either, so best to pack the Kendal Mint Cake and have a wee on the train!

If you're not tempted by a walk, carry on to Levisham, my personal favourite station on the line. It's just a charming little station, not much there at all really, but a nice little spot for a picnic, either by the station or up the hill with the cattle if you want to work off what you are eating! Levisham station nestles in a valley miles away from Levisham village which is up a very steep hill with a very winding road, making the train the only sensible means of approach in my opinion. We did drive down to the stateion once, but it's difficult to comment on the journey as I spent most of it with my eyes shut..... My really big tip for travelling on the NYMR is abour Levisham - if you go there on an August Saturday afternoon they have a series of brass band concerts in the paddock by the station and it's great - take a picnic and chill out, then jump on the last train with the band! Fantastic!

If you can bring yourselves to leave Levisham, we do have one final port of call - past the trout farm and the castle on the hill is the town of Pickering. This is a useful stop, but I feel it lacks some of the charm of other places on the line, to be honest. It is an impressive station, the facilities are good, and this is a sizeable town with a charming main street and plenty of shops. But it's rather busy for my liking, so we have lunch (there is a pub directly opposite the station with a beer garden and decent food) and head back - I'm just a country girl, I guess! Anyway, tired and covered in soot that brings us to the end of the line - hope you have enjoyed the ride!

****the details****

Further info is best found at the informative but not wonderfully laid out www.northyorkshiremoorsrailway.com

There are a range of fare option, but all-line tickets are a good buy:

Adult £13.50
Child £6.50
OAP £11.50

They also have an impressive range of tickets for families of various sizes. One tip with fares - you get substantial discounts if you are a member and dogs go free for members - we were there for a week with 2 dogs and we actually saved money by joining. And you get a magazine through the year!

They have the usual range of special events - diesel weekends, dining trains, Thomas - but I'd especially recommend the War weekend (usually October) as they go all out for that - they even sell a booklet of advice if you're thinking of coming and dressing up!

Hope that has whetted your appetite for a fabulous railway and a great day out for the whole family

Thanks for reading

Summary: One of Britain's best preserved railways