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 May 15th. 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 are now on sale to the public. Anyone who had previously pre-booked for 2020 will be able to re-book. 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 June 20th* 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.
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 May 20th, 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 May 20th and can be booked online now.
The railways letting accommodation at Grosmont, Goathland and Levisham will reopen from May 15th and can be booked now. Those guests with an outstanding booking will also be able to book now. 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, the difficult decision was made to cancel several of the planned 2021 Special Events. However, they are planning to run the Annual Steam Gala, September 22nd to 26th and 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. To keep up to date with news from the NYMR sign-up to the railways newsletter at nymr.co.uk or on the railways social media channels facebook.com/northyorkshiremoorsrailway or twitter.com/nymr
For more information about the heritage railway and it’s charitable aims, or to pre-book your visit this summer go to
www.nymr.co.uk
*Due to a project, previously agreed before the Government Exit Plan, the railway will be closed June 4th to 8th.
