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

Photo credit: Jack Boskett

Inspiration: The Railway 200 Exhibition Train

Sunday 5th to Tuesday 7th October 2025

Join us in celebrating 200 years of the modern railway by visiting Inspiration The Railway 200 Exhibition Train! This unique static FREE exhibition train, curated by the Railway 200 team and The National Railway Museum, features interactive displays, inspiring stories, and hands-on activities for all age groups to enjoy. Sporting an eye-catching livery, the Inspiration train features four carriages, each offering a unique experience.

Railway Firsts

Showcasing groundbreaking innovations in railway history.

Wonderlab on Wheels

Offering engaging hands-on activities to explore the science and engineering behind railways.

Your Railway Future

Uncovering some of the more hidden roles in rail and encouraging people to consider a career in rail to shape the next 200 years.

The Partner Zone

A place where local organisations will tell their stories.

You'll be joined by a fantastic team of Railway 200 volunteers, dedicated to making your experience memorable. The train is fully accessible and to ensure a quality experience and time to enjoy the displays, visits are anticipated to last around an hour and are structured in 15-minute intervals.

We look forward to welcoming you aboard this unique train!  Please book your free place at https://www.nymr.co.uk/Event/inspiration

Essential Information for your Visit

• Location: Grosmont Station (YO22 5QE).
• Time: Please arrive at the station no earlier than 10 minutes before the time indicated on your Booking Confirmation email.
• Ticket Checks: Please bring your ticket with you, either as a printed copy or as the email confirmation on your phone.
• Parking: Pay & Display is available at the station, please see Directions & Parking for Grosmont Station.
• Toilets: Accessible toilets are available at the station, on Platform 2.
• Public Transport: Grosmont is on the main Whitby to Middlesbrough line. 
• Accessibility: The station and carriages are wheelchair accessible.
• Cancellation: Although this is a free event, tickets are limited, if you are unable to make your booking, please contact our Customer Services Team via info@nymr.co.uk to cancel your booking. You will need the Booking Reference number from your Booking Confirmation email.
• Please visit our website for T&Cs.

 

Mad Alice's Ghost Train at the NYMR

19th October, 26th October & 2nd November 2025

Join Mad Alice as she takes you on a spine-tingling ghost train ride through the haunted heart of the North York Moors. Step aboard a one-of-a-kind journey and experience an unforgettable hour of eerie adventure. Book your tickets, before it's too late!

Dare You Board the Train?

• Live Actors
• Learn about the mysterious ghosts that still haunt the carriages and stations
• Hear about the supernatural tales and folklore of the land as your ghost train creeps along the mysterious railway line
• A special retelling of one of the most famous ghost stories ever written, The Signalman by Charles Dickens
• Approx. one-hour experience
• Pickering to Levisham return journey
• Mini Mad Alice's Bloody Orange Gin & Tonic from York Gin (18+ year old)
• A soft drink (14-17 year olds)

Services depart at 6:15 pm or 8:00 pm

£40 Adult (18+)
£35 Young Person (14-17 years old)

Not suitable for children under 14 years of age, young people aged 14 to 17 must be accompanied by a fare-paying adult (18+).

Those with a nervous disposition may want to refrain from boarding Mad Alice's Ghost Train!

Please note that our wheelchair accessible carriages are not available for these services. We regret that we cannot accommodate passengers on these services unless they can walk to their seats.

Brought to you in association with Mad Alice, from the Bloody Tour of York, and York Gin.

Flying Scotman

25, 26, 27, 28 & 29 October, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12 November.

Early Online Booking Offer: Save 10% if you book before 31 August 2025.

As part of our Railway 200 celebrations, don’t miss your chance to ride behind one of Britain’s icons from the golden age of steam. No. 60103 Flying Scotsman will be in action at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway between Grosmont and Pickering this late-autumn, courtesy of the National Railway Museum and Northern Steam Operations Ltd.

Your booking is for a seat-allocated return journey from Grosmont to Pickering behind Flying Scotsman. Other non-seat-allocated services between Pickering/Grosmont and Whitby, hauled by different locomotives, will be running on the date of your visit. You're welcome to board these services with your Flying Scotsman ticket and explore the full length of our line if you wish.

Standard Fare: £54.50

Departs 08.45, 11.40 or 15.00

Pre-booked allocated seats

Enjoy approx. 2 hours and 35 minutes of our heritage line behind Flying Scotsman

Discounts are available for Groups of 20+ people. Please contact our Customer Services Team on grouptravel@nymr.co.uk for details.

About the Flying Scotman 

Flying Scotsman, built in 1923 at Doncaster and numbered 60103, is one of the most iconic steam locomotives in the world. Designed by Sir Nigel Gresley, it became the first UK loco to reach 100 mph and holds a long-distance steam record in Australia. After retirement in 1963, it was preserved and later restored by the National Railway Museum. In 2023, during its centenary year, Flying Scotsman made history once again by hauling the Royal Train along the North Yorkshire Moors Railway to Pickering, proudly carrying King Charles III on a memorable journey through our stunning heritage landscape.

Flying Scotsman was originally built as an A1-class locomotive, later rebuilt as an A3, and has carried several liveries throughout its life, including LNER green, wartime black, and British Rail Brunswick green. It was named after the famous London to Edinburgh express service it once hauled non-stop. Over the years, it has become a symbol of British engineering and rail heritage, drawing crowds wherever it goes. Now owned by the National Railway Museum, it continues to steam on mainline and heritage tracks, connecting generations with the golden age of rail travel and inspiring new fans of steam history.

Santa Express

29, 30 November, 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 to 24 December

Come and enjoy a brand new interactive adventure for families as they meet Father Christmas on the NYMR Santa Express. The steam train ride will be packed with songs, jokes and the magic of Christmas, brought to life by Santa’s Elves - families will also get to meet the great man himself on board.

Your Santa Express

At Pickering station, families will be welcomed by the sights and sounds of the Santa Express steam train with Christmas decorations, traditional games, and live singing to get everyone in the Christmas spirit. Once on board, Santa’s team of elves will keep everyone entertained with sing-alongs, Christmas-cracker jokes, and plenty of fun. Each child will also receive a special keepsake to take home.

Meet The Elves

• Elton Elf, known for his musical skills. 
• Joey Marshmallow, the cheeky trickster. 
• Chef Custard, who looks after Santa and his reindeer with his special recipes. 
• Also, keep an eye out for Chris Mouse, the Station Mouse, who checks that everyone is on the Nice List with his cheeky “eek, eek, eek!” 

Fares & Booking

Tickets for the Santa Express start from £29.50 per person with an extra 10% off if you book online before 31 August 2025.

Registered Carers: Registered adult or child carers of a disabled Santa Express passenger are eligible for a reduced-rate ticket when the standard Santa Express fare applies to the disabled passenger. Passengers booking a reduced-rate carer's ticket will be required to provide a valid form of ID to confirm eligibility.

Wheelchair users: On each service we have two dedicated wheelchair user spaces available in our Fuss Free carriage with fold down seats for up to two travel companions, bookable online.

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.