Hi.I'm 39 and making a comeback here after my recent lul
Hi.I'm 39 and making a comeback here after my recent lul
Member since:22.08.2000
Reviews:179
Members who trust:53
If you are looking for a great day out for all the family 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 in 1968 under the ridiculous Beeching cuts of the nineteen sixties and reopened by a handful of dedicated volunteers in 1973. The line is 18 miles in length making a round trip of thirty six miles .It is in fact the second longest preserved railway in Great Britain. But more than this , much more , it is the most scenic train
journey that there is barring the Settle - Carlisle line. Frankly the scenery in parts is breathtaking . This is far and away the best way of travelling through 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 Growmont is connected to the mail national rail network on the Whitby to MIddlesbrough branch line . Whilst Pickering is now a terminus station , although once it too was part of the national network. So it is possible to catch a train from your local station to Grosmont or drive to one of the stations on the line if you prefer.
Goathland station ( often seen on Heartbeat ) is interesting in itself . The station has two camping coaches in the sidings . These I know are booked up months in advance despite the fact they cost upwards of £300 per week in high season ! Goathland also has a restored freight pick up point and a good well stocked retail shop and toilets!
Tne next station is Newtondale Halt . This is a request stop for walkers mainly .I have alighted here , and what a vast open expanse of countryside it is . There are No shops or signs of buildings for miles.
The line operates essentially an hourly service and the journey takes around an hour in each direction from start to finish. Like all preserved railways the train only travels at around an average speed of twenty miles an hour but the sights and sounds more than compensate. The engines are mostly steam with such celebrities as "Blue Peter" and "Mallard" often appearing on the route. The National Railway museum in York often loans the railway historical traction such as this and they are a sight to behold .
Even for non rail enthusiasts there is something magical as a steam engine appears . The smell , the atmosphere and character of these engines can never be repeated in today's railway.
The line has friendly often volunteer staff , always willing to chat and tell you facts about the line . It is a single track line for the most part , with trains passing at Goathland and Levisham which both have two tracks and platforms.
For the kids there is special Thomas the tank engine weekend specials from time to time - always a hit , even with adults too !
The NYMR also operate a renowned dining car service on their Moorlander trains which are often booked up a month in advance . Main courses start at £6-95 it's a great way to have Sunday lunch and the quality is top notch. Grosmont is the home of the railways main engine shed which is free to look around for members of the public . This makes a great spectacle in itself - watching the staff fire up the engines ready for their day's work. All in all it is a great day out , and one not to be missed.
The cost of an all line ticket - valid for unlimited travel on the day of issue is £10 per adult £2 for dogs and bikes, and £8.50 for OAPS. Kids go for £5 and cheaper family tickets are available. The railway has a website . www.nymr.co.uk.
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I travelled behind a Black five which one I cant remember but I suspect it was 4767 and it was due for shopping. It had the best big end knock that I have heard since the demise of steam on the main line.
Where next the Nene Valley perhaps. Baz
leahslad 13.06.2001 23:42
I went on this when I was younger and was so excited. Seeing a steam train back then was enough to send me into drool mode, now I'd be interested to go back and view it from an adult point of view. Good op, Steve
BustyBabe 13.06.2001 21:48
Cheers Lee another great op , and do you know that was very helpful as ive never been on a train yet ...lol.vicki
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