North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Take a trip on one of the world’s greatest railway experiences, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Railway Conservation. Run by Volunteers. Not for Profit. It really is one of the most unique experiences in Yorkshire, making it one of our top recommendations for a memorable family day out in the North York Moors.

Photo credit: NYMR

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is one of the world’s greatest heritage railway experiences with thrills and family fun at its heart. Climb on board a steam or heritage diesel train and experience 24 miles of Yorkshire’s amazing scenery at this must-see visitor attraction.

Upcoming Events

Half Term Family Fun

Photo courtesy of North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Hop on board for an unforgettable family adventure this May half term at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. From hands-on activities and creative play to exciting bird encounters, there's something to keep every little explorer entertained all week long. Plus, enjoy the added bonus of our special autocar services. Don’t miss out - take a look at our full schedule and see what fun awaits.

Brickin' It Workshops: 24th & 25th May

Photo courtesy of North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Location: Pickering Station, Platform 2

£5 per person (5+ years old).

Unleash your little builders at our LEGO workshops brought to you by Bricks McGee. Get involved in one of the Railway 200 or Mini Engineer themed workshops and test your building skills with the construction challenges. Various one-hour sessions are taking place across the weekend - booking is required. Children must be supervised by a parent or guardian during the activity.

LEGO is a registered trademark of the LEGO Group, who do not own or endorse Bricks McGee, or the Brickin' It Workshops. Workshops are not suitable for ages under 5 due to small parts.
Free Drop-In Activities.

All the following activities are free to join and are drop-in, so just turn up at the stations during the running period and enjoy. If you'd like to travel on our heritage trains from Pickering to Whitby, tickets can be booked in advance or bought on the day at any of our stations.

Art Day: 26th May

Location: Pickering Station, Platform 2

Get creative at our self-led Art Day from 10am - 2pm. Unlock your artistic skills and craft your own railway-inspired masterpiece to enter into our Railway 200 Writing & Art Competition. All materials are provided, just bring your imagination! Sketch steam engines or paint scenic tracks, let your ideas take the express route! No booking required, drop in anytime and create at your own pace.

Train Time Stay & Play Sessions: 27th & 28th May

Photo courtesy of North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Location: Pickering Station, Platform 2

Explore, play, and imagine in our hands-on railway world from 11.00 am to 4.00 pm. Build, play and explore with trains, tracks, and endless imagination in our interactive stay and play session. Perfect for little engineers with big ideas.

Birds of Prey: 31st May

Photo courtesy of North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Location: Pickering Station, Platform 2

Get up close with majestic birds of prey at the Whitby Falconers static display. Come face to face with these impressive birds from 9.30 am - 4.30 pm. Free to view, with a small charge for handling.
29 & 30 May: The railway is closed on Thursday and Friday as standard, please see timetable for all running dates in 2025.

Annual Diesel Gala

12, 13, 14 & 15 June 2025

Join us for four fantastic days celebrating the sights, sounds and sheer power of heritage diesel locomotives, all set against the breath-taking backdrop of the North York Moors National Park. Whether you're a seasoned diesel enthusiast, or simply curious to see these mighty machines in motion, there’s something here for everyone - families, fans and first-timers alike.

Book your tickets and come and soak up the atmosphere, enjoy the buzz along the line and experience a great selection of visiting and home-based diesel locomotives...

Visiting Locomotives

No. 55009 Alycidon – visiting courtesy of the Deltic Preservation Society.

No. 55009 Alycidon - photo credit: Andy Peper

No. 50021 Rodney – visiting courtesy of 50021 Owners Ltd.

No. 50021 Rodney - photo credit: Rodney Spracklan

Additional visiting locomotives will be announced in the upcoming weeks.

Home Fleet of Locomotives

No. 37264

Engine 37264 - photo credit: Andrew Jeffery

No. 47077 North Star

No. 31128

No. 31466

Services & Allocations

A special timetable (coming soon) will be in operation during this event, with locomotive allocations released closer to the event date.

Services are planned to run along the full length of our heritage line from Grosmont to Pickering, calling at Goathland, Newtondale Halt and Levisham Stations. NYMR services will NOT be running between Grosmont and Whitby during the event. 

Fares

All tickets are hop-on hop-off, letting you travel behind as many services as you wish during your visit. Multi-day discounted tickets available.

For further details please see our website – nymr.co.uk

Railway 200 Celebrations

Join our 200 Mile Challenge and complete 200 miles on the NYMR in 2025. Plus, discover 200 railway-themed activities throughout the year.

Explore the Railway

• Pickering Station is a beautiful 1930s themed station;
• See stunning scenery and wildlife in the North York Moors National Park;
• Visit Goathland, which became Hogsmeade Station in the first Harry Potter film;
• Explore Grosmont Station, home to the operating and engineering world of the NYMR;
• Visit Whitby with its narrow streets, bustling harbour and the ruins of Whitby Abbey.
  
  

Engine 92134 at Levisham Station (Photo credit: Charlotte Graham)

Ticket Information

Various ticket prices – please see website for details.

Visit website

Accessibility

Fuss-free access means that all of the carriage sets in service on the full length of the line contain one vehicle that has been specially adapted to ease access for everyone with mobility problems and accommodate them with their friends and family.

Parking

There is paid parking available just a short walk from Pickering Station.

Engine 76079 at Newtondale (Photo credit: Charlotte Graham)

Directions by car from Great Ayton to Pickering

There are various routes to take you from Great Ayton to North Yorkshire Moors Railway at Pickering, we have detailed two options below:

Shortest Route

A beautifully scenic route taking you over the moors via the A170.

Duration: Approximately 50 minutes drive (29 miles)

• From the stone bridge over the River Leven at the Low Green take the direction up Easby Lane (1.6miles)
• Turn left onto Battersby Avenue and travel to Crag Bank (4.2 miles)
• Turn onto Sleddale Road then Upper Esk Road which leads to Blakey Ridge (6.1 miles)
• At Blakey Ridge take the Yarn Brow (A170) to Park Street in Pickering

Via Guisborough

Takes you through the historic market town of Guisborough and up onto the moors via Blakey Ridge.

Duration: Approximately 1 hour drive (36 miles)

• From Great Ayton take the A173 towards Guisborough
• At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Middlesbrough Road (A171)
• At the next roundabout take the first exit, remaining on the A171
• At the next roundabout take the 2nd exit, remaining on the A171
• At the next roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Whitby Road on the A171
• Turn right onto Smeathorns Road
• Continue onto Blakey Ridge on the A170 to Park Street in Pickering
  
  

Try the Train from Great Ayton Station to Grosmont

Grosmont Station (Photo credit: Charlotte Graham)

Travel directly from Great Ayton Station to Grosmont using the Esk Valley Railway (train operator is Northern Railway). From Grosmont Station you can take the North Yorkshire Moors Railway to Pickering and return.

Travel Info

Engine footplate (Photo credit: Charlotte Graham)

All information and images are courtesy of North Yorkshire Moors Railway with the exception of directions.