... I was asleep before we even left Rotherham and woke up still none the wiser as to where we were going in the middle of the countryside in North Yorkshire.
First to the Pub
The end of the road for us was Pickering in North Yorkshire. It's a lovely little village with quaint shops ... Read review
A review by rachel1431 on North York Moors Railway August 5th, 2005
Author's product rating:
Frequency of trains
Satisfactory
Reliability of trains
Always on time
Comfort of trains
Very comfortable
On-board facilities
Excellent
Advantages:
Fantastic Meal whilst having a great train ride - a totally different experience
Disadvantages:
A long way from where we live
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
When 2 friends of ours invited us for a meal but told us that we had to be at their house by 4pm as we would need to set off by 4.15pm I was somewhat confused. When they followed this by "and make sure you are dressed smartly" I really couldn't work it out. Then when we had to make our menu selection 2 weeks before the date of the meal my mind was blown.
I swiftly realised that we may be making quite a journey and they were driving - I don't travel well so popped a travel sickness tablet in my mouth and we set off.
The Journey There ==============
In fairness I cant really remember much about the journey because of the travel sickness tablet. I was asleep before we even left Rotherham and woke up still none the wiser as to where we were going in the middle of the countryside in North Yorkshire.
First to the Pub ===========
The end of the road for us was Pickering in North Yorkshire. It's a lovely little village with quaint shops and a railway where steam trains still run. I know Pickering fairly well because in my teens I used to go camping a lot with a musical group that I belonged to at a place called Levisham which is about 5 miles away from Pickering.
Here they took us into a pub - well when I say they took us in - I really mean - she took us because he had disappeared the second we got out of the car. I had absolutely no idea where he had gone and she wouldn't tell me.
Then I saw him coming out of the Railway Station - I was totally confused. Come on then drink up he said - the train is ready for us.
Yes, you've got it we were having our meal on an old steam train whilst travelling through the North Yorkshire Moors. Its called Pullman Dining and is one of the most fantastic experiences I have had.
North Yorkshire Moors Railway =======================
On the North Yorkshire Moors Railway steam trains run along an 18 mile line between the Pickering and Grosmont, through the North York Moors. The railway passes through lovely scenery and goes through a few villages on the way. These include Levisham and Goathland.
The Railway is one of the earliest in the North of England. Its origins go back well over a century and a half, and was an important trade link between Pickering and Whitby. The complete 24 mile stretch of line was fully opened in May 1836. The line operated for well over a century, however modifications were made and steam locomotives took over. However in the 1950's traffic began to dwindle and by 1965 the line operated its last passenger service. Pullman Dining ============
The unique first class dining service on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway provides a wonderful dining experience. In my opinion it it suitable for many occasions, we recently returned and took my partners father on the train to celebrate his 70th birthday. Whatever the occasion, be it a romantic dinner for two, a family Sunday Lunch or a wedding reception, the 'Orient Express' style service, excellent food and quality wine will provide a glorious memory long after you have left the train.
Though the Train does offer a lunchtime service I have no experience of it so this review will concentrate only on the evening service aptly names "Pullman Dining"
You can go on the Pullman on most Friday and Saturday evenings through May to October however some of them are saved for special theme nights like Murder Mystery nights and such like.
You do have o book a long time in advaice and so it is probably a good idea to check the website for available dates before making you plans. http://www.northyorkshiremoorsrailway.com
Generally Saturday evenings depart from Grosmont, travel to Pickering and then back to Grosmont. If I recall correctly on this journey we were pulled by steam in both directions. The Friday night one goes the opposite way - it departs in Pickering and travels to Grosmont. On this one we were pulled by steam to Grosmont but were pulled back by an electric engine (this is because the steam engine goes to sleep at Grosmont).
The train regardless of which evening you leave on departs at 19.20pm and does not wait - if you are late it does go without you and you will miss your tea.
The evening is quite expensive - the meal alone costs £42.00 per head and then you have to buy drinks on top of that. It is well worth it though the food and the service is second to none and very authentic with waiters dressed as you would traditionally expect and the driver a typical old man with dungarees on and a mucky bib.
Here is the current menu:
Starters
Chicken Liver Paté Slices of Chicken Paté served with Cumberland Sauce, crusty White Bread and Salad Garnish
Melon au Porto Half Baby Melon filled with Forest Fruits topped with Taylor's Porto
Seafood Salad Cold Water Prawns and Crayfish Tails served with a mixed Salad and Mayonnaise Dressing
**** Pullman Soup served at the Table Steaming hot Vegetable Soup finished with Cream and Herbs served with Hot Roll and Butter ****
Main Course Choice
Poached Salmon Steak Served with Hollandaise Sauce, garnished with Shell Prawns and Watercress
Entrecôte Au Poivre Pan-fried Sirloin Steak served with a sauce of Green Peppercorns, Brandy and Cream
Chicken Chasseur Sautéed Chicken Breast served with a rich sauce made with Wine, Shallots, Mushrooms and Tomatoes
Vegetable Stroganoff Fresh Vegetables cooked in Paprika and Cream Sauce, served with Steamed Rice
****
Dessert Choice
Chocolate and Orange Torte Served with Pouring Cream
Jamaican Sundae Sliced Banana and Coffee Ice-cream laced with Rum, served with Whipped cream and Tropical Fruit and Nuts
Apple and Apricot Charlotte Served with a Creamy Custard Sauce
Yorkshire Cheese Board A selection of Cheeses from our County, served with Biscuits, Celery and Grapes
Freshly brewed Tea or Coffee served with Truffles and Pullman and Orange and Mint Chocolates
So you can see there is a good selection to suit everybodys needs and I am sure that if you call them far enough in advance with any special requirements then they would be happy to deal with them.
An important thing to note at this point is you must let them have your menu choices at least 2 weeks before travel. Another thing to note is that smoking is not permitted at any point on the train.
We have had on both occasions that I have done this trip a table for 4 but I have noticed tables for 2 and I think tables for either 6 or 8 people.
The way that it works with the meal is that when you board the train you are shown to your table and can order drinks. Your starters are already at the table (though they are fresh so must have only just been put there).
You have your starter, soup and main course on the first leg of the journey. Then at your destination point you can get off the train and wander around the station whilst you watch the driver and his helpers eat their meal off a tray say on the platform of the station. On the return leg you have your pudding and coffee etc. You can enjoy the scenery and sip a brandy too on the return let.
All drink you would normally expect in a restaurant are available on the train as is an extensive choice of wine.
You return to your start point at about 10.20.
My Overall Opinion ===============
A wonderful night out and a wonderful experience.
I think it is probably only something you would do on special occasions. For a couple you will not have any change out of £100 and also if you live a fair distance away you will need to cover the travel costs as well.
The evening is worth every penny - you feel special and are looked after very well - the staff are great and the train has been made very comfortable.
I would recommend it to anyone but remember to dress nicely - whilst I am sure you would be let on in jeans I didn't see any one in them - a nice pair of trousers and perhaps a jacket for the men and smart going out dress for the ladies.
...look no further than the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. It is often referred to as the "heartbeat" railway .This is due to the line travelling through Goathland better known as Aidensfield of course , to millions of TV viewers in the long running 60s police drama Heartbeat.
But the line was popular long before Heartbeat was born . It celebrated it's 25 th anniversary in 1998 which is a fine achievement for a preserved line.
The line was closed ... ...the heart of the unspoilt North Yorkshire Moors. You cannot beat the idea of leaving the car behind at a station and letting the steam train take you through this breathtaking landscape.
I travel on the route at least twice a year in different seasons as the bleak landscape changes almost monthly as the calendar moves on.
The line runs from Grosmont to Pickering calling at Goathland , Levisham and Newtondale halt along the way.
Grosmont pronounced ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: A beautiful journey on fascinating trains Disadvantages: None at all!
...of Heartbeat or not the North York Moors Railway is well worth a visit. It runs from Pickering in the south to Grosmont in the north, via Goathland, which is transformed into Aidensfield in order to film Heartbeat. Just in case you’re unfamiliar with the place names here, this railway is situated almost on the north east coast of England, in Yorkshire.
The steam trains and carriages are the originals, which have been lovingly restored providing ... ...to climb over some large boulders which are quite slippery due to the fact that they are constantly wet from the waterfall.
The scenery all along the route of the North York Moors Railway is spectacular and it’s a journey I would very much like to repeat one day. ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Excellent experience Disadvantages: Trains are a bit packed sometimes
The title says it all!
Basically you re-live the forties....i shall explain!
On the 20th/21st of October every year, the railway running from Pickering to Grosmont passing through, Goathland AKA Heatbeat village, Newton-Dale, and Levisham. Is "transformed" back to the 1940s, with sounds of air-raids, singing from the big band hits like Glenn Miller and songs from Vera Lynn. There are "jitterbug" dancers whom dance on the platforms, and NFS - National ... ...Re-enactors participate in original forties clothing this could range from, children acting as evacuees or the men in R.A.F - Royal Air Force - uniforms. I myself have done these weekends for about 4/5 years now, and always look forward to this event, its a chance for the people of the town in Pickering to come togerther and the public almost feel as if they are in fact stepping back in time! I wear the NFS and do many Fire Displays. However GERMANS ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Comfort, friendliness, fabulous food Disadvantages: Hotel short on car parking spaces
....
This is the only hotel I have ever been in which manages to serve crisp toast at breakfast. The breakfast menu looks like any other but the food was the hottest I have ever had, everything clearly cooked to order and there was no problem just having a few items from the 'full English'. One unusual breakfast dish was grilled goats cheese which was delicious and quite enough by day 3!
You will never manage fish and chips in Whitby if you have a Mallyan Spout breakfast. Also close by are Eden Camp (really well done and inexpensive), Flamingoland and Castle Howard, but check opening times as the last two are seasonal. Ditto the NorthYorksMoorsrailway which stops in the village.
In March when we stayed at the hotel there was a special offer which gave a third night free when paying for two so the package of £225 (3 nights B...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: nice scenery Disadvantages: bad access to both main stations
...The historic Bolton Abbey in West Yorkshire is once again accessabile by rail after the Embsay & Bolton Abbey steam railway ( lovingly known as the Yorkshire Dales railway ) managed to reconnect the tracks to this scenic part of the world in 1999.
Bolton Abbey is an historic 12 century ruin , from which the tiny village takes it's name.
If anyone wishes to drive to Bolton Abbey you could leave the car there and do the journey in reverse if you prefer . The route is situated very close to the A59.
I managed to ride the route on only it's second day of operation to Bolton Abbey as previously the line only went as far as Stoneacre loop.
This railway is a scenic preserved mainly steam line similar to the NorthYorksMoorsrailway and Keighley & Worth Valley railway which I've written on earlier.
I had a picnic on the banks...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: Lovely little village, nice walks, great for Heartbeat fans Disadvantages: Gets busy in the high season
...OK I admit it - I love Heartbeat, I always have. It's one of those lovely programmes where you can just get absorbed without having to think too much. It even manages to survive as the cast keeps changing although I do mourn the lack of Claude Jeremiah Greengrass - he was on of my all time favourites!
So it was only natural that, when we holidayed in York, I should want to visit Goathland which is the lovely little village that transforms itself into Aidensfield when the film crew arrives.
Goathland is in the Esk Valley in Yorkshire and can be reached by train, car, tour bus or good old walking if you're feeling fit! It is well signposted from the A169 as it is such a tourist attraction now.
We travelled there on the NorthYorkMoorsRailway which runs from Grosmont in the north to Pickering in the south and Goathland is...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
It was my mam’s 50th birthday at the end of last month so my parents and I decided to go away for a long weekend, with my sister and her children. My eldest nephew loves trains and has done since a very young age and as my other nephew and my niece like... more
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