One of the UK’s most popular heritage attractions, North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) has announced its eagerly anticipated 2021 season and will open the heritage line and stations from Saturday 15 May. The railway will be operating two trains to Whitby every day, as well as an intermediate service between Pickering and Grosmont.
The railway is planning to operate with Covid-19 mitigations, until the summer holidays, with pre-booked end to end services with a set departure and return time. The railway’s intermediate service, between Pickering and Grosmont, will enable passengers the opportunity to hop-on and hop-off and explore Levisham, Goathland and Grosmont stations.
Daily services will go on sale to the public from 26 April. Anyone who had previously pre-booked for 2020 will be able to re-book from 19 April. All services will be released as a staggered approach, in line with government guidance and all passengers aged 16 years plus, unless exempt, will be required to Track & Trace, adhere to social distancing and wear a face covering. The first batch of tickets will operate up to 20 June in line with the government’s stage four exit plan. The second release of tickets will be announced via the railway’s website and social media channels.
For ideas of what to do in the area, read Whitby and the North York Moors.
Chris Price, General Manager, said, “It was a huge relief when the government announced its roadmap, which now enables the railway to plan and prepare for when it can reopen. It will be great to see the staff and volunteers preparing the engines, stations, shops and tea rooms, ready to welcome passengers once more”.
Passengers will be able to enjoy the first Pullman Train of the 2021 season from Thursday 20 May, with a new Moorlander Spring Lunch Menu. Services will be operating Thursday to Sunday every week, throughout the season. Pullman services will begin operating from 20 May and will be able to be booked online from 19 April.
The railways letting accommodation at Grosmont, Goathland and Levisham will reopen from 15 May and can be booked from April 19th. Those guests with an outstanding booking will be able to book from 12 April. Visitors can book to stay at the heritage stations, from Saturday to Saturday, with unlimited travel along the line.
Passengers with outstanding Charters and Weddings will be contacted directly to rebook their special day. The railway will be following the government guidelines and exit plan.
In light of the current government advice, we have made the difficult decision to cancel several of the planned 2021 Special Events. However, we are planning to run the Annual Steam Gala, 22 to 26 September and the Christmas Santa Specials (Pickering & Grosmont) on select dates in December from Grosmont and Pickering Stations.
All guests with a pre-booking will receive an email or a telephone call to discuss how to rebook their visit.
For more information about the heritage railway and its charitable aims, or to pre-book your visit this summer go to nymr.co.uk. Due to a project, previously agreed before the Government Exit Plan, the railway will be closed 4 to 8 June.
Cover image: Christopher Austin.
