TRAVEL TEST
WHAT: The North Yorkshire Moors Railway.
WHERE: Seaside Special steam train ride from Pickering to Whitby.
After the NYMR closed in 1965, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway Preservation Society was formed, who rallied a group of volunteers to preserve the line. It is now run as a not-for-profit heritage railway experience.
Return tickets cost from £41 adult, £20.50 children, £84 family of four, nymr.co.uk
EXPERIENCE: At Pickering Station we were greeted by a jolly chap in full uniform, peaked cap, buttons shining, who chatted with eager passengers and pointed the way over the bridge to the platform. Excitement was riding high as the train chuffed into the station with crowds waving and kids sitting on parents’ shoulders for a better view of this engineering marvel.
Inside the carriage we revelled in all the details. The plush seats with soft armrests, mirrors sporting the old British Rail logo, an emergency chain – fine £40 for improper use – and the nostalgic aroma of varnished wood mixed with burning coal.
The slamming of doors, the whistle, the hiss of steam… and we were off, a slow chug building to a steady rattle over the tracks.
All we had to do now was watch 24 miles of Yorkshire countryside roll by along the Esk Valley Line, along with a cup of Yorkshire tea and a slice of parkin from the buffet car.
After a quick stop at Levisham, we cruised through Newtondale, before Goathland, right, – the perfectly preserved station that doubled as Hogsmeade for Harry Potter.
Then on to Grosmont, before our final stop, the seaside town of
Whitby. In the three hours before the return, we packed in a walk to the bronze statue of Captain Cook next to the famous whale bone arch, a fish and chip lunch, over the 113-year-old swing bridge straddling the River
Esk, up the 199 steps to the ruins of Whitby Abbey, then back via shops selling jewellery made with Whitby Jet.
QUIBBLES: Impossible to fault. VERDICT: We thoroughly appreciated the decades of hard work by volunteers that have been poured into preserving this outstanding heritage railway. 10/10