North Yorkshire Moors Railway

About the museum

The line between Whitby and Pickering was surveyed by George Stephenson in the early 1830s and opened as a horse-drawn railway in 1835-36. It was rebuilt for steam in the 1840s, and a deviation route via Goathland opened in 1865 to avoid a section too steep for normal trains. The line passed to the North Eastern Railway, the London and North Eastern Railway and British Railways, and closed as a through passenger route in 1965.

A preservation society held its first meeting in 1967, the first preserved-era movement of a train followed in 1969 and the first steam passenger train in 1971. Public services began in 1973 and were officially opened by the Duchess of Kent. Trains ran through to Whitby in the preservation era from 1987, and regular operations to Whitby started in 2007. Heritage Lottery Fund support paid for restoring the roof of Pickering station, a learning centre and archive on Platform 2, and later improvements to access, volunteering and bridges.

Today the charity runs trains over 18 miles of its own line from Pickering to Grosmont, plus a further 6 miles over the national rail network to Whitby. Its stations are restored to different periods, such as Pickering in the 1930s and Grosmont in the 1950s, and the railway is accredited as a museum by Arts Council England. Its collection of locomotives, carriages, wagons, signs, signals and archives is shown along the line, in the workshops and at a visitor centre.

Highlights

• Steam and diesel trains over 24 miles through the North York Moors National Park
• Pickering station restored to its 1930s appearance
• Grosmont engine sheds where locomotives are maintained and restored
• Goathland station, seen in the first Harry Potter film as Hogsmeade
• Heritage carriages and locomotives from a museum-accredited collection
• Special events such as Santa Express and Halloween trains

Permanent exhibition

• Heritage stations and collection – Stations restored to different periods, heritage locomotives, carriages and wagons, workshops at Grosmont and a visitor centre, all part of the accredited museum collection.

Founded

1973

Operated by

North Yorkshire Moors Railway Trust

Admission & discounts

The price shown is the standard adult Day Rover (hop-on, hop-off all day) at the regular rate from 7 September to 23 October 2026; school-holiday periods are cheaper. Booking online more than 4 days ahead saves 10 percent, and a £1.50 booking fee applies to online and phone sales. A donation version of the ticket costs slightly more and includes a shop voucher. Shorter journeys between one or two stations are cheaper. Special events have their own prices.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Adapted heritage carriages have wide double doors, portable ramps, space to move and an accessible toilet. Most services carry manual or powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters up to 700 mm wide, 1200 mm long and 230 kg loaded; larger scooters cannot be carried. Wheelchairs for use on platforms only can be borrowed at Pickering and Whitby stations, subject to availability. Disabled parking bays are provided, though Blue Badge holders still pay the station car park charges. Accessible toilets are available across the railway, and free station access guides can be downloaded. Registered assistance dogs must be on a lead.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

One child aged 4 to 15 travels free with each fare-paying adult on standard services. Free activity sheets, a station stories app and family events such as Santa Express and Halloween trains. The North Yorkshire Pullman dining train cannot take children under 5.

Getting there & parking

Pickering station is just off the A170 between Scarborough and Thirsk and off the A169, 9 miles from Malton and the A64. Postcodes: Pickering YO18 7AJ, Levisham YO18 7NN, Goathland YO22 5NF, Grosmont YO22 5QE, Whitby YO21 1YN. Coaches use the Ropery lay-by to drop off at Pickering.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Station tea rooms at Pickering, Goathland and Grosmont and a tea hut at Levisham; gift shops at Pickering, Goathland, Grosmont (including the Shed Shop) and Whitby. Dining trains such as the North Yorkshire Pullman run in the main season.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Carriages can be chartered for private groups.

Plan your visit