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

Easter Holidays 2025 - Easter Dino Fun and More! (5th - 21st April 2025)

Baby Brontosaurus at North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Hop aboard the North Yorkshire Moors Railway this Easter for a roarsome adventure filled with dinosaur-themed fun! Meet adorable baby dinosaurs at Goathland Station, dig for fossils, create your own dino footprint, and snap a cracking selfie with giant dinosaur eggs along the line. Keep an eye out for hidden dino eggs at each station and download the Dinosaur Times activity sheet for puzzles and fun facts. Plus, enjoy stargazing, an exciting science show, and join our 200 Mile Challenge as part of the Railway 200 celebrations. Book your tickets online and make this Easter unforgettable!

Dino-tastic Activities

Meet the Baby Dinosaurs – 18th - 21st April, Goathland Station (£10 per child)
Follow the dino footprints and get up close to adorable baby dinosaurs! (NYMR Travel Ticket required.)

Dino Dig – 5th - 17th April (Pickering), 18th - 21st April (Goathland)
Uncover hidden fossils in our sand trays – perfect for budding palaeontologists!

Make a Dino Footprint – 18th - 21st April, Goathland
Create your own clay dino footprint to take home.

Dino Egg Selfie Stations – Find giant dinosaur eggs at select stations for a cracking photo opportunity.

Spot the Dinosaur Eggs – Hunt for hidden dino eggs at every station!

Dinosaur Times Activity Sheet – Download fun puzzles and dino facts (coming soon).

More Easter Fun

Star Gazing - 4th April – The Outstation, Stape (£10 per person)
Explore the night sky with the Whitby & District Astronomical Society.

Big Science Show - 5th - 6th April – Pickering Station Classroom (£8 per person)
Enjoy jaw-dropping experiments and interactive science fun!

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.

Book your tickets online and make this Easter roarsome!

No. 45596 Bahamas Visit

Photo credit: Steve Mitchell

5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12 & 13 April

Experience the sights and sounds of steam history as No. 45596 Bahamas takes to the tracks at the NYMR for the very first time. Thanks to the Bahamas Locomotive Society, this iconic locomotive will be running on our standard services this April, offering visitors the chance to witness its power and charm up close. Whether you're a dedicated railway enthusiast or simply looking for a memorable day out, don’t miss this special opportunity to see Bahamas in action.

The Story of Bahamas

Built in 1934 by the North British Locomotive Company in Glasgow, Bahamas was part of the iconic Jubilee Class of locomotives, designed by the renowned William Stanier for the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS). Entering service in January 1935, it became a true workhorse of the railway network. In 1936, the locomotive was named Bahamas, after the beautiful islands in the Caribbean, reflecting its strong ties to the Commonwealth. Following nationalisation in 1948, Bahamas was renumbered to 45596 and spent time operating from various locations, including Edge Hill, Liverpool.

In the 1960s, Bahamas underwent significant modifications to improve its performance, including an overhaul that allowed it to run more efficiently on lower-quality coal. Although it had a relatively short period of active service after these changes, Bahamas captured the hearts of many, and in 1967, a group of passionate enthusiasts (Bahamas Locomotive Society) managed to save it from being scrapped. Thanks to their efforts, Bahamas was preserved and has since become a beloved symbol of the golden age of steam. Now, we are proud to bring this remarkable locomotive to the NYMR, where visitors will have the chance to experience its timeless power and elegance.

Join us as we celebrate this masterpiece of railway history and the ongoing legacy of steam travel; Step aboard a heritage train and enjoy the scenic journey from Pickering to Grosmont through the breath-taking North York Moors, powered by No. 45596 Bahamas.

Photo credit: Peter Skellon

Service Times

Each service is hop-on, hop-off, with no allocated seating, allowing you to break your visit up and explore all our heritage stations. Our Standard Red and Blue Timetable will be operating during the locomotives visit and the planned services which it will be hauled by No. 45596 Bahamas are:

Red Timetable

10:35      Grosmont to Pickering
12:00      Pickering to Grosmont
14:40      Grosmont to Pickering
16:15      Pickering to Grosmont

Blue Timetable

10:40      Grosmont to Pickering
12:10      Pickering to Grosmont
17:05      Grosmont to Pickering

Fares

The locomotive is scheduled to run on our standard services during its visit, with this in mind, our standard 2025 fares apply. Prices start from £49.50 for a Standard Adult Day Rover, or £99 for a Standard Family (2x Adult & 2x Children). Tickets bought online more than 4-days in advance of your travel date have an automatic 10% discount applied. If you also opt to choose our Donation Fare, you will receive a Thank You Voucher worth up to 15% of your ticket fare (max voucher value £30) to use in our shops or tea rooms.

The Annual Pass & Travel Pass are valid for these services.

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.