With its seven-year £10 million Yorkshire’s Magnificent Journey project coming to an end this month, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) has taken the opportunity to look at what it has achieved.
Launched in 2017, the project had seven major aims, with each one designed to help keep the railway operational for at least the next 50 years.
During the seven years of the project, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway led the way and inspired the heritage railway sector in many areas, particularly in lineside conservation and environmental work.
The project was made possible through the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which provided the majority of the funds, as well as other organisations and individuals who helped bring the projects to life.
Among the project’s biggest achievements are:
- At Goathland, a new learning coach was created featuring exhibitions and display, which opened in 2023 with an exhibition of ’50 years of Volunteering at the NYMR’, followed this year by ‘Lineside Legends’.
- A new Station Stories App that helps visitors to explore Goathland and Grosmont stations, discover the stories and people behind the station buildings.
- The establishment of a learning programme for schools along with an informal learning programme for families during school holidays that includes hands-on activities.
- Replacement of bridges 24, 25, and 27 so that they are now fit to carry traffic for future generations. Bridge 27 became famous as the iconic track leading to Hogsmeade Station in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
- Improved accessibility with new facilities, including specially-adapted accessible carriages, enhanced signage, and accessible maps.
- Built a new £4 million carriage care facility that can accommodate up to 40 carriages in a dry and comfortable working environment for staff and volunteers undertaking servicing, cleaning, and routine inspections.
- Created The Outstation at Stape as a facility for volunteers and residential groups with accommodation up to 20 people in 10 rooms.
- Provided apprenticeships in Mechanical Engineering, with one of the first apprentices securing permanent employment on the railway as a Fitter and four others are due to complete their training in 2025 and 2026.
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is recognised as a leader in lineside conservation. It has been instrumental in sharing best practice and encouraging wider environmentally responsible thinking in the sector.
A joint initiative between with the North York Moors National Park has funded 12 two-year Countryside Apprenticeships that teach about conservation within a heritage environment.
A team of 62 volunteers work 4-5 days each week on important initiatives including fencing and dry-stone walling, species surveys, boundary surveys and research and bridge maintenance.
The forthcoming Heritage Open Days at the railway will provide the chance to learn more about Yorkshire’s Magnificent Journey, with an opportunity to go behind the scenes and see many of these new developments in action.
Heritage Open Days at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway are from 6th to 15th September 2024.
As the Yorkshire’s Magnificent Journey project comes to an end, I am filled with pride for all we have achieved. This initiative has helped preserve our historic railway and elevate our visitor experience. Our infrastructure improvements have enhanced the safety and efficiency of our operations, so we can offer a more reliable and enjoyable service to our passengers whilst ensuring our beloved railway is here for future generations.
The success of Yorkshire’s Magnificent Journey is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our staff, volunteers, and supporters. It has been a remarkable journey of collaboration and innovation, and we are excited to build on this legacy. Although this particular project has come to an end the work involved to keep our railway steaming on will forever be ongoing.
Laura Strangeway, North Yorkshire Moors Railway CEO
Responses
I have been a member till just lately and my husband volenteers there is hardly any accomadation for volenteers to make it affordable the tearoom on the station closes during the winter. The amount of rolling stock and carridges that are just left about to rot. Do they have plans for the farm they have purchased
I really have to agree with previous comments on pricing. We know it costs a fortune to run a Loco etc , must be a nightmare BUT if you price people out of your market you’ve had it. The increased fees for multiple visits might seem fair but only if you live within a reasonable distance from the railway. If , like us your perhaps 70 miles away multiple visits just aren’t possible especially with the price of fuel for your car these days. We had an annual visit, it was great & we really looked forward to it, but I’m sorry I’m not paying a year’s subscription plus £30 in fuel for 1 visit. My old dad always said keep your prices low & you’ll get the customers!
Obviously not world leaders in voluntary staff management, as those suspended at Levisham can testify.
See people complaining about prices… £49.50 for a full years worth of tickets for adults and free for kids so If I go with my two kids it costs me £16.50 a head then if I go again £8.25 and if I go 3 times £5.50. Fml people I’ve paid more than that for 10 minute ride.
Great central (not digging at them either I love it there too) is £23 per adult and £12 per child booking online so £47 and that’s for the day not the year!
It’s not free to run the locos or maintain them people. They’ve poured alot of money into it and if your going with kids it’s a fantastic deal and a great day out!
Is there also a new visitors centre in Pickering? There is definitely a new building but I have never seen it open.
Not wishing to do the NYMR down but I agree with previous comments, the railway needs a complete reappraisal of it’s role and operations.
At it formation, it was intended as a way for visitors to North Yorkshire Moors to access the same. Places like Levisham being pretty in accessible by car.
Things have changed and many younger people are not really interested in steam trains.
The massive operating loss and the ” mutiny” at Levisham have been blots on the NYMR landscape.
The cost of operating steam trains is massive and I know they are looking to convert, at least another, steam locomotive to oil firing.
Other downsides are the unattractive facilities Whitby, which I know they have no total control over.
The Wensleydale Railway operation appears to be a good model. Maybe more frequent emu trains , at a more reasonable cost may help.
I acknowledge the great loss of volunteers since COVID but their operating model needs to change if they are to survive.
I cannot see Government grants to keep any preserved railway are likely in the future.
£75 To go to Whitgy from Pickering??? Wtf!
Agree with the last comment BUT the marketing of services leaves a lot to be desired.
£45 for a ticket is ridiculous. People come for a day out and are now priced out of the market.Few families wish to return for a second trip in the same year ( the reason given for the £45). Hence no customers, see Eden project and Eureka.
Last Tuesday at Lewisham station 2 trains approx. 25 passengers on each. Filthy coaches, filthy windows, train crew not interested in speaking to anyone, not even a wave.
Passengers pay for their pastime, no passengers no playtime.
Something badly wrong at NYMR
Brian. lifetime member for many years and also foundation member
Congratulations on so much working together & achievement to develop & maintain the railway, bringing the historical achievements of the past, so beautifully & carefully built into the landscape by those who went before us, & now building on what they did & adapting to the blessings they also built upon. It’s all thanks to the grace of God & your love & determination for all of it. What a testimony to what can be achieved when we work together for a good cause we believe in.
Wow amazing work we visit a couple of times a year what a difference
The grace of God is one thing but they need to make an operating surplus ( profit) not a whacking great loss, like last year.They need a drastic reappraisal of their role and how they appeal to the public.
Many younger people are not interested in steam trains.
Completely agree