DarloRich
Veteran Member
Over the Spring Bank holiday weekend my girlfriend and I (and the hound!) were camping near Malton. On the Saturday, in glorious weather, we visited Malton food festival and decided if the weather held on the Sunday we would have a trip to the seaside at Whitby via a steam train on the NYMR with the added promise of a bag of fish and chips and an ice cream on the front. This would be my first visit to the NYMR for a couple of years as I am now based at the other end of the country but when I lived in the north east I was a regular visitor to the NYMR so it would be nice to see what changes had taken place. The first was obvious: Pickering station now boasts a grand overall roof! The second was the timetable was much more intensive and allowed through running along the Esk Valley line to Whitby.
Pickering by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
The NYMR is, at 18 miles long (24 if you count the line to Whitby) the third longest in the UK after the West Somerset and Wensleydale railways. It carries around 350000 passengers per year with trains running every day from the beginning of April to the end of October with hourly departures from each end during high summer. It is a vast heritage operation employing 130 staff and relying on around 300 volunteers to keep the trains rolling and the passengers happy. While it might be the third longest in terms of length in my view it is the best!
Pickering Station by geoff audsley, on Flickr
NOT MY PICTURE!
The route of The North Yorkshire Moors Railway today generally follows the line of the original Whitby & Pickering Railway, first mooted in 1832 to give a much needed boost to the failing fortunes of Whitby. One of the earlier of Englands railways, horse-drawn through trains from Whitby to Pickering started to run from May 1836. From 1845 the railway was converted to steam haulage. For almost a hundred and thirty years, until closure resulting from the infamous report by Dr Beeching, the line continued to carry goods and passengers through rural scenery and hopefully improved communications and connections between the isolated rural communications and helped to the communities it served.
Pickering by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
To make a day of it we would need to be up early to make the 09:50 from Pickering to Whitby which would give us a decent amount of time to enjoy the seaside, the abbey and keep an eye out for any evidence of Dracula. Sadly we didnt make it! Having overslept, walked the dog, had breakfast and got ourselves sorted out there was no chance of making that train, the 10:50 or realistically the 12:00! Undeterred by the poor forecast we pottered up to Pickering, mooched about in the lovely little town and headed for the 13:00 train.
Pickering by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
The station at Pickering is an attractive sandstone design by the York & North Midland Railway dating from 1845 covered by an overall roof. This isnt the original roof as that was removed by BR in 1952 but is a replacement from 2009 funded through donations and the Heritage Lottery fund. I cant think of another preserved railway station with an overall roof and it really adds to the atmosphere of the station with a smoky locomotive running round its train.
Pickering station by jimsumo999, on Flickr
NOT MY PICTURE!
It was a good job we did end up running late as due to a locomotive failure the 12:00 had been cancelled and the 13:00 was formed of a scratch rake of 2 mark ones and a Gresley teak bodied brake which was hauled by large logo liveried 37264! I was quite pleased about this turn of events but there was some unhappiness that the promised steam engine hadnt appeared. We jumped aboard and settled into a compartment in the first carriage behind the locomotive.
Pickering by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
We were away promptly (and noisily!) at 13:00 noting 08850 in the carriage siding next to the station coupled up to a pair of teak bodied Gresley carriages. Almost immediately we passed the carriage and wagon works where other carriages were waiting their turn to be restored to life, followed by new Bridge Box and P way yard where 08856 was standing waiting for business with its rake of ballast hopers.
Pickering by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
In no time we were out into the countryside and the driver of the locomotive seemed keen to test the loud handle which treated us to some spirited running and with such a lightly loaded train we were soon sprinting through the twisty, heavily wooded Newton Dale valley alongside Pickering Beck towards the first stop at Levisham which seemed to be reached in no time.
Levisham by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
Due to our sterling performance and a delay to the up train from Goathland we had a good 20 minutes to explore the wonderful little station, buy tickets and perhaps more importantly obtain ice cream and a cup of tea.
The station here dates from 1836 with the current station buildings dating from 1845. The grade 2 listed station buildings were converted from a farm house by the York & North Midland Railway and closed in 1965. Since reopening the station has been restored form a single platform with few facilities to a fantastic representation of a small NER country station from about 1912. Levisham village is about 1 ½ miles away and about 300 feet higher than the station up a steep road.
Levisham by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
The station is home to the NYMR artist in residence and his studio is open to visitors in the station buildings whilst behind the other platform sits one of the NYMR camping coaches that can be booked for holidays. On the down side of the level crossing is a lovely little signal box and ticket office along with the fantastic tea hut run by the Levisham Station group who clearly take a great pride in their station
Levisham by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
Eventually the bells started to ring in the small signal box as the train from Goathland approached the station and in a few moment the sound of a steam locomotive could be heard beating its way up the valley. The 37s second man was summoned from the tea hut by a short blast on the horn and hurried over the crossing bearing two teas just before the signalman closed the gates.
Levisham by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
With the whistle sounding 76079 (a BR 2-6-0 Class 4MT built at Horwich in 1957) rounded the bend and puffed into the station hauling a long and heavily loaded train, which was more than a little late, into the station. In no time the signal dropped, the guard blew his whistle and I jumped aboard slamming the door. The 37 was of like a scalded cat and I almost dropped my ice cream as I sat down! Terrible.
Levisham by DarloRich2009, on Flickr
We were soon up to line speed and the driver now seemed keen to test his horn giving a good 2 tone blow at each W board and crossing. I am happy to report that the horn was in working order! We rolled smoothly through the wooden countryside with the bright sunlight filtering through the tress as we passed cottages and farm houses which look wonderful peaceful and detached from the modern world while offering a decent view of the passing trains! High above us on the ridge is Skelton tower which looks like an acncent ruin but it was actually built in 1850. The views form there are stunning We slowed slightly for the request stop at Newtondale Halt but with no one on the platform the driver gave a long blast on the horn and powered on!
Skelton Tower by ian whitehead, on Flickr
NOT MY PICTURE!
The station at Newtondale is a single platform request stop slap bang in the middle of the woods aimed at walkers who want to enjoy the Newtondale Forest. The halt was built by the NYMR in 1981 using materials recovered from Warrenby Halt which was closed in 1978 and replaced by British Steel Redcar when the line between Saltburn & Middlesbrough was diverted to allow for the building of the Redcar steelworks. The station has no road access so dont be late for the train or you face a long walk home.
The Wild One by Andrew Gallon, on Flickr
NOT MY PICTURE!
At least if you do miss the last train there is now a small NER style shelter on the platform to keep you dry which was funded by the NYMR York area group and completed in 2004. I bet people have camped out there before now!
Part 2 to follow ASAP!
Pickering by DarloRich2009, on FlickrThe NYMR is, at 18 miles long (24 if you count the line to Whitby) the third longest in the UK after the West Somerset and Wensleydale railways. It carries around 350000 passengers per year with trains running every day from the beginning of April to the end of October with hourly departures from each end during high summer. It is a vast heritage operation employing 130 staff and relying on around 300 volunteers to keep the trains rolling and the passengers happy. While it might be the third longest in terms of length in my view it is the best!
Pickering Station by geoff audsley, on FlickrNOT MY PICTURE!
The route of The North Yorkshire Moors Railway today generally follows the line of the original Whitby & Pickering Railway, first mooted in 1832 to give a much needed boost to the failing fortunes of Whitby. One of the earlier of Englands railways, horse-drawn through trains from Whitby to Pickering started to run from May 1836. From 1845 the railway was converted to steam haulage. For almost a hundred and thirty years, until closure resulting from the infamous report by Dr Beeching, the line continued to carry goods and passengers through rural scenery and hopefully improved communications and connections between the isolated rural communications and helped to the communities it served.
Pickering by DarloRich2009, on FlickrTo make a day of it we would need to be up early to make the 09:50 from Pickering to Whitby which would give us a decent amount of time to enjoy the seaside, the abbey and keep an eye out for any evidence of Dracula. Sadly we didnt make it! Having overslept, walked the dog, had breakfast and got ourselves sorted out there was no chance of making that train, the 10:50 or realistically the 12:00! Undeterred by the poor forecast we pottered up to Pickering, mooched about in the lovely little town and headed for the 13:00 train.
Pickering by DarloRich2009, on FlickrThe station at Pickering is an attractive sandstone design by the York & North Midland Railway dating from 1845 covered by an overall roof. This isnt the original roof as that was removed by BR in 1952 but is a replacement from 2009 funded through donations and the Heritage Lottery fund. I cant think of another preserved railway station with an overall roof and it really adds to the atmosphere of the station with a smoky locomotive running round its train.
Pickering station by jimsumo999, on FlickrNOT MY PICTURE!
It was a good job we did end up running late as due to a locomotive failure the 12:00 had been cancelled and the 13:00 was formed of a scratch rake of 2 mark ones and a Gresley teak bodied brake which was hauled by large logo liveried 37264! I was quite pleased about this turn of events but there was some unhappiness that the promised steam engine hadnt appeared. We jumped aboard and settled into a compartment in the first carriage behind the locomotive.
Pickering by DarloRich2009, on FlickrWe were away promptly (and noisily!) at 13:00 noting 08850 in the carriage siding next to the station coupled up to a pair of teak bodied Gresley carriages. Almost immediately we passed the carriage and wagon works where other carriages were waiting their turn to be restored to life, followed by new Bridge Box and P way yard where 08856 was standing waiting for business with its rake of ballast hopers.
Pickering by DarloRich2009, on FlickrIn no time we were out into the countryside and the driver of the locomotive seemed keen to test the loud handle which treated us to some spirited running and with such a lightly loaded train we were soon sprinting through the twisty, heavily wooded Newton Dale valley alongside Pickering Beck towards the first stop at Levisham which seemed to be reached in no time.
Levisham by DarloRich2009, on FlickrDue to our sterling performance and a delay to the up train from Goathland we had a good 20 minutes to explore the wonderful little station, buy tickets and perhaps more importantly obtain ice cream and a cup of tea.
The station here dates from 1836 with the current station buildings dating from 1845. The grade 2 listed station buildings were converted from a farm house by the York & North Midland Railway and closed in 1965. Since reopening the station has been restored form a single platform with few facilities to a fantastic representation of a small NER country station from about 1912. Levisham village is about 1 ½ miles away and about 300 feet higher than the station up a steep road.
Levisham by DarloRich2009, on FlickrThe station is home to the NYMR artist in residence and his studio is open to visitors in the station buildings whilst behind the other platform sits one of the NYMR camping coaches that can be booked for holidays. On the down side of the level crossing is a lovely little signal box and ticket office along with the fantastic tea hut run by the Levisham Station group who clearly take a great pride in their station
Levisham by DarloRich2009, on FlickrEventually the bells started to ring in the small signal box as the train from Goathland approached the station and in a few moment the sound of a steam locomotive could be heard beating its way up the valley. The 37s second man was summoned from the tea hut by a short blast on the horn and hurried over the crossing bearing two teas just before the signalman closed the gates.
Levisham by DarloRich2009, on FlickrWith the whistle sounding 76079 (a BR 2-6-0 Class 4MT built at Horwich in 1957) rounded the bend and puffed into the station hauling a long and heavily loaded train, which was more than a little late, into the station. In no time the signal dropped, the guard blew his whistle and I jumped aboard slamming the door. The 37 was of like a scalded cat and I almost dropped my ice cream as I sat down! Terrible.
Levisham by DarloRich2009, on FlickrWe were soon up to line speed and the driver now seemed keen to test his horn giving a good 2 tone blow at each W board and crossing. I am happy to report that the horn was in working order! We rolled smoothly through the wooden countryside with the bright sunlight filtering through the tress as we passed cottages and farm houses which look wonderful peaceful and detached from the modern world while offering a decent view of the passing trains! High above us on the ridge is Skelton tower which looks like an acncent ruin but it was actually built in 1850. The views form there are stunning We slowed slightly for the request stop at Newtondale Halt but with no one on the platform the driver gave a long blast on the horn and powered on!
Skelton Tower by ian whitehead, on FlickrNOT MY PICTURE!
The station at Newtondale is a single platform request stop slap bang in the middle of the woods aimed at walkers who want to enjoy the Newtondale Forest. The halt was built by the NYMR in 1981 using materials recovered from Warrenby Halt which was closed in 1978 and replaced by British Steel Redcar when the line between Saltburn & Middlesbrough was diverted to allow for the building of the Redcar steelworks. The station has no road access so dont be late for the train or you face a long walk home.
The Wild One by Andrew Gallon, on FlickrNOT MY PICTURE!
At least if you do miss the last train there is now a small NER style shelter on the platform to keep you dry which was funded by the NYMR York area group and completed in 2004. I bet people have camped out there before now!
Part 2 to follow ASAP!
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