Visitors to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) can experience the climax of its half-century celebrations with a string of exciting events at the end of the month.

The official 50th anniversary season, which coincides with the centenary of the LNER – London and North Eastern Railway Company – will be marked by the return of A4 Pacific steam locomotive number 60007, Sir Nigel Gresley, to the NYMR.

Special services will run from 22 until 25 October, as well as 29-31 October and 1 November.  Now the only operational locomotive in its class, passengers will be able to travel the 18 miles from Grosmont to Pickering and return.  Seats cannot be reserved, thus giving passengers the option to hop on and hop off services as they wish.

During half term, children aged up to 15 will be able to travel free of charge on standard services.  A whole range of special events has also been planned.

Free drop-in lantern crafting sessions will take place on Monday 30 October and Friday 3 November between 10.00 and 14.00 at Goathland and at the same times on Tuesday 31 October and Thursday 2 November at Pickering, at the classroom.

Drop-in storytime sessions, also free of charge, will take place at Goathland Learning Coach between 11.00 and 12.30 on Wednesday 1 November while Whitby and District Astronomical Society will join NYMR staff for a stargazing evening. The stellar exploration will take place at the Outstation, Stop, and is said to be the perfect spot to see the night sky of the North York Moors where, if the sky is clear, Saturn and Jupiter as well of millions of stars can be viewed.  This is a ticketed event.

Every evening between 27 October and 5 November, the ever-popular Light Spectacular event departs from Pickering Station. The steam service will also depart between 10 and 12 November.  Trains leave at 18.00 and 19.45.  The immersive audio visual experience is pulled by a steam locomotive adorned with 17,000 LEDs. The hour-long illuminated experience between Pickering and Levisham stations can be booked for £25 per person,