NYMR news and updates.

[jamestclarkson]

Sir Nigel Gresley was there last year wasn't he?

60007 was there in 2022 and 2023. But not 2024

Any news on 34101 Hartland?

Still working on the boiler with the stays at the moment. Still recon it will be a few months before any more news

 

[Notabene]

Friends of mine have booked a five day stay near Whitby in May, but are dismayed to find there'll likely be no trains running on two of the days.
Is the new timetable close to being published?

 

[Egton]

NYMR timetable not yet published, but Network Rail Working Timetable up to mid May shows NYMR services to / from Whitby at same times as previous years, though no NYMR trains Thursday Friday unless School holiday periods

 

[Notabene]

Thank you

 

[kje7812]

Details available now on the website https://www.nymr.co.uk/News/2025-season-opening-announcement

Alongside its packed programme of events for 2025, the heritage railway attraction has made some changes to the season ahead with a revised timetable:

Off-Peak (April–June & September–October): Services will operate on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Peak (Easter, July & August): Services will run seven days a week.


For the year ahead, we have crafted a schedule of events for visitors of all ages, ensuring an exciting year for rail enthusiasts and families alike.


Events during 2025 include:

• 15-23 February: Half-Term Fun with North Eastern Railway Petrol-Electric Autocar No. 3170
• 22-30 March: Visiting Engine No. 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley
• 31 March: Main 2025 Season Opening
• 31 March: Railway 200 Spring Trail Starts
• 5-8 & 10-13 April: Visiting Engine No. 45596 Bahamas
• 5-21 April: Easter Fun including 200 Mile Challenge
• 12-15 June: Annual Diesel Gala
• 22 July - 31 August: Summer Holiday Fun
• 12-21 September: Heritage Open Days
• 25-28 September: Annual Steam Gala
• 25 October - 2 November: Ghost Train & Autumn Family Fun
• 29, 30 November, 6, 7, 13, 14 & 20-24 December: Santa Specials

....

The previous high summer service is no longer and the Sunday service is rather light when the NER Autocar isn't in use.

 

[Notabene]

Just three trains e/w from July on Sundays!

 

[Gwr12345]

Details available now on the website https://www.nymr.co.uk/News/2025-season-opening-announcement
The previous high summer service is no longer and the Sunday service is rather light when the NER Autocar isn't in use.

Seems a bit of a shame that there's been such a reduction, although there are now more trains to Whitby on a Sunday! I generally visit on a Sunday, so it's certainly less of a draw if there is only 1 steam and diesel.

Also I notice they're using the gift aid gift voucher thing, always seems a bit iffy to me.

 

[NER1621]

Also I notice they're using the gift aid gift voucher thing, always seems a bit iffy to me.

How do you mean? Virtually every charity in the country uses Gift Aid to maximise donations.

 

[Gwr12345]

How do you mean? Virtually every charity in the country uses Gift Aid to maximise donations.

10% extra for a 15% voucher for secondary spend is the system. I'm sure there's been some debates as to its legality / ethicality as you're not supposed to receive a benefit for gift aid AFAIK.

 

[DarloRich]

Are they still doing the purchase one return ticket and get free unlimited travel for a year offer?

 

[kje7812]

Are they still doing the one ticket free unlimited returns for a year offer?

No, and the price remains at £49.50.

 

[DarloRich]

No, and the price remains at £49.50.

that is a shame although most posters here seem to be against it

Details available now on the website https://www.nymr.co.uk/News/2025-season-opening-announcement
The previous high summer service is no longer and the Sunday service is rather light when the NER Autocar isn't in use.

a focus on the key market being the Whitby day trips.

 

[kje7812]

Also previous couple of years, under 18s were free. Now they seem to reintroducing child tickets for 4-17, not sure on price.

 

[Iskra]

that is a shame although most posters here seem to be against it


a focus on the key market being the Whitby day trips.

I personally was a fan of it.

I’m unlikely to be visiting this year as I did the line to death last year on one such ticket. If they’re running so few trains I hope they are all maximum length or they could be cosy.

 

[DarloRich]

I personally was a fan of it.

me to - it was superb value. Even living at the other end of the country!

If they’re running so few trains I hope they are all maximum length or they could be cosy.

They will need to be! Is the teak set still out of use?

 

[Halwynd]

If you compare the NYMR website with the K&WVR website, and then look at their timetables and fares you quickly get a good indication of everything the K&WVR is doing right and everything the NYMR is doing wrong.

I'm a fan of both railways, but if I decide to head across the M62 this year it will be the K&WVR which attracts me.

 

[Iskra]

If you compare the NYMR website with the K&WVR website, and then look at their timetables and fares you quickly get a good indication of everything the K&WVR is doing right and everything the NYMR is doing wrong.

I'm a fan of both railways, but if I decide to head across the M62 this year it will be the K&WVR which attracts me.

I’ve drawn a similar conclusion. £35 for KWVR membership which includes 3 Day Rovers and then discounted tickets after that. Timetable is frequent enough to keep on the move and includes steam to draw people in and a DMU to deliver a reasonable frequency in a cost effective manner.

 

[Halwynd]

I’ve drawn a similar conclusion. £35 for KWVR membership which includes 3 Day Rovers and then discounted tickets after that. Timetable is frequent enough to keep on the move and includes steam to draw people in and a DMU to deliver a reasonable frequency in a cost effective manner.

Exactly. A good timetable, also some superb vintage carriages and very good value on-the-day fares without trying to force you to book online in advance.

On a nice sunny day, particularly during autumn, I've always thought there's something special about the Worth Valley that makes it hard to beat.

 

[308165]

I'm sure NYMR have reviewed costs and revenues and are confident in what they are doing but it does come with big risks.

Taking two days out of the timetable will lose some passengers, not all will move to other days. A lower frequency and timetable targeted at Whitby makes it look a very expensive railway for what you get.

It feels like they are targeting older couples rather than families, with few options for short distance trips. A Grosmont - Goathland shuttle would help a lot giving a shorter cheaper services for families -kids don't always want a long journey. I wouldn't want to pay what might be £150ish pounds for a family of 4.

 

[SteveM70]

It feels like they are targeting older couples rather than families, with few options for short distance trips. A Grosmont - Goathland shuttle would help a lot giving a shorter cheaper services for families -kids don't always want a long journey. I wouldn't want to pay what might be £150ish pounds for a family of 4

And coach trips

Agree re kids and a shuttle. I’ve said this before - the NYMR is a long journey and for kids the exciting bit is seeing the engine at the start and end, not looking out of the window at trees for 90 minutes

 

[DarloRich]

If you compare the NYMR website with the K&WVR website, and then look at their timetables and fares you quickly get a good indication of everything the K&WVR is doing right and everything the NYMR is doing wrong.

Could you provide some examples? Personally I don't think you are comparing like with like. I find the K&WVR nice but short. Who cares about overblown, melodramatic Bronte nonsense afterall?

without trying to force you to book online in advance.

you don't have to do this nor is anyone forced to book on line. It is actually easier to book on line but I have also bought at the ticket office on the day without problem beyond a long queue

Timetable is frequent enough to keep on the move

I realise this is a key issue for the enthusiast but most people want a day out journey. They don't want to hop on and off and sample all of the haulage

Agree re kids and a shuttle. I’ve said this before - the NYMR is a long journey and for kids the exciting bit is seeing the engine at the start and end, not looking out of the window at trees for 90 minutes

I am not sure - I certainly haven't had any problems with the kids on the long journey. You have all the Harry Potter stuff, compartments, steam trains, chuffing, cake, sticking your head out, seaside etc etc. ( even old diesels are fun because it makes Papa look ancient when he says he remembers them brand new )

it is a long journey and I get it could be a problem I simply say I haven't found it a problem.

 

[D Mylchreest]

I'm sure NYMR have reviewed costs and revenues and are confident in what they are doing but it does come with big risks.

Taking two days out of the timetable will lose some passengers, not all will move to other days. A lower frequency and timetable targeted at Whitby makes it look a very expensive railway for what you get.

It feels like they are targeting older couples rather than families, with few options for short distance trips. A Grosmont - Goathland shuttle would help a lot giving a shorter cheaper services for families -kids don't always want a long journey. I wouldn't want to pay what might be £150ish pounds for a family of 4.

My experience as a parent and grandparent is that a journey between two adjacent stations is quite enough for small children and the older ones don't want to do it at all.

 

[DarloRich]

My experience as a parent and grandparent is that a journey between two adjacent stations is quite enough for small children and the older ones don't want to do it at all.

bribery always helps I haven't found that but acknowledge all are different.

 

[kje7812]

My niece and nephews would struggle on a journey longer than Kidderminster to Highley (40 mins). And I still remember a child getting very bored on the South Devon of all railways...
Kids can get bored quickly.

 

[generalnerd]

My niece and nephews would struggle on a journey longer than Kidderminster to Highley (40 mins). And I still remember a child getting very bored on the South Devon of all railways...
Kids can get bored quickly.

I remember getting bored on the NYMR when i was younger. It was just so long and slow. I love it now but as a child it was a long old job

 

[ricj]

No, and the price remains at £49.50.

When I bought my ticket for the Winter Whitby Excursion on the 2nd January, the girl at the booking office in the station told me I would receive another annual pass for 2025 with the ticket. I have so far not received any confirmation of this yet. Is this because she was wrong and sharing incorrect information?

 

[Halwynd]

Could you provide some examples? Personally I don't think you are comparing like with like. I find the K&WVR nice but short. Who cares about overblown, melodramatic Bronte nonsense afterall?

you don't have to do this nor is anyone forced to book on line. It is actually easier to book on line but I have also bought at the ticket office on the day without problem beyond a long queue

Comparing two prominent preserved railways in Yorkshire...

Take fares as just one example. The K&WVR give lots of information about a wide selection of good value tickets from all day and round trip to individual any station to any station singles and returns. They make it clear you can book on the day or in advance.

The NYMR currently has no information about fares - at least that I can find - other than a February half-term event which gives no indication that you can turn up and book on the day.

Websites are often your shop window and prospective customers might well decide whether or not to visit based on that interaction. They want to know what's on offer and how much it will cost. To me, the K&WVR website is excellent visually, ease of use, finding information quickly and the
amount of relevant information provided. When I looked at it, it really made me feel like I wanted to visit. The NYMR wasn't excellent visually, wasn't quite as logical to navigate, some pages suffered from poor formatting and/or broken links, and it didn't provide me with all the information I would have liked, except a timetable.

 

[D Williams]

Comparing two prominent preserved railways in Yorkshire...

Take fares as just one example. The K&WVR give lots of information about a wide selection of good value tickets from all day and round trip to individual any station to any station singles and returns. They make it clear you can book on the day or in advance.

The NYMR currently has no information about fares - at least that I can find - other than a February half-term event which gives no indication that you can turn up and book on the day.

Websites are often your shop window and prospective customers might well decide whether or not to visit based on that interaction. They want to know what's on offer and how much it will cost. To me, the K&WVR website is excellent visually, ease of use, finding information quickly and the
amount of relevant information provided. When I looked at it, it really made me feel like I wanted to visit. The NYMR wasn't excellent visually, wasn't quite as logical to navigate, some pages suffered from poor formatting and/or broken links, and it didn't provide me with all the information I would have liked, except a timetable.

Well, they are chalk and cheese. The K & WVR is a linear museum the NYR has become a conduit to Whitby. The West Somerset has the same problem with attracting families to a long train ride in an age when attention spans are measured in microseconds.

 

[Halwynd]

Well, they are chalk and cheese. The K & WVR is a linear museum the NYR has become a conduit to Whitby. The West Somerset has the same problem with attracting families to a long train ride in an age when attention spans are measured in microseconds.

I'm talking about their websites, not the pros and cons of the two railway lines, both of which I like very much.

 

[30907]

The NYMR currently has no information about fares - at least that I can find - other than a February half-term event which gives no indication that you can turn up and book on the day.

To be fair, they say in their "Main Season" announcement that fares are not yet available. (They are for the pre-season 60007 event as well as the Autocar).
With no regular trains for the next couple of months, I don't think that's unreasonable - the KWVR is running every weekend.