The North Yorkshire Moors Railway has described its LNER Steam Festival as an unqualified success. Visitors came from all over the globe to enjoy a unique experience over two weekends. Despite the mixed weather, the Railway played host to over 12,000 visitors and broke all preservation records.
They came primarily to see three very special engines – “Sir Nigel Gresley”, “Bittern” and “South Africa”. Known as A4 Pacific class engines, they were designed and built in the 1930s by Sir Nigel Gresley, and worked the long distance express routes between London and Scotland on the East Coast Main Line. Another engine of the class, Mallard, holds the world speed record for steam traction of 126 mph and is preserved in the National Railway Museum at York. Easily discerned by their streamlined body shape, these engines epitomised the LNER (London North Eastern Railway) era between 1922 and 1948 when the four big companies operating the railway at that time were in competition to be the best. The A4 engines were eventually phased out in the early 1960s.
Commenting on the success of the weekend, NYMR General Manager, Philip Benham, said: “We are delighted with the success of the event which was three years in the making. Many visitors remarked on the unique experience of seeing the three A4 Pacifics together in steam. They have been able to ride behind them, take photographs of them, and generally enjoy the sight, sounds and smells. They have had to wait some 40 years to see such a sight, and we are delighted to have given them this opportunity here on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.”
The first weekend also saw the last run of another famous locomotive, the National Railway Museum’s LNER V2 2-6-2 No 4771 Green Arrow. With its ten-year boiler certificate already due to expire at the end of April, sadly the engine had to be retired early due to a boiler fault on Monday 31 March.
The success means that the Railway has been given a vital shot in the arm financially at the start of the 2008 season. It hopes to continue this success with more special events through the year, and by operating a comprehensive timetable linking Pickering, Levisham, Goathland and Grosmont – and also Whitby on most days (through April the NYMR will be running direct services to/from Whitby every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, with even more days to come as spring and summer unfold).
The Railway would like to hear from local groups in particular, and those over 60, who may not have considered a day out on the Railway for quite some time. Groups of 20 or more qualify for discounted tickets, as do the over 60s, who may wish to use their free bus passes to access the Railway. Further information about train running times and ticket prices can be obtained from NYMR Customer Services on 01751 472508 or from info@nymr.co.uk
Note: A small number of Commemorative Brochures from the LNER Steam Festival are still available at a reduced rate of £3.00 each including post and packing. These can also be obtained from NYMR Customer Services.