Planning a week in Whitby in May and one day, weather permitting, we'd like to take the NYMR to Goathland and walk to Grosmont, returning to Whitby by train.
I realize I can buy the tickets now but would like to select the day for the activity once I see the upcoming forecast, maybe 3 to 5 days in advance at most. For a Monday, Tuesday, or Friday outing, what are the chances the train sells out more than 3 to 5 days in advance?
If it’s the 4th or 25th May these are Bank Holidays which will mean more visitors.
Thanks, Trelawny. It would be the 5th or the 8th. Good to know about May 4!
The further you book ahead the cheaper the tickets. The railway should be reopened to Whitby by then. It intends to reopen in late April. However there is the matter of a weak bridge to prop up before then for later repair. Until that is done trains are only running from Pickering to Goathland.
If the complex work over runs then the line can't reopen north of Goathland.
However National Rail trains run from Grosmont to Whitby, and the bus gets you to Goathland, so there are options if it all goes pear shaped.
It's hard to know if the delayed start of the season will lead to higher demand.
Bookmarking this post, so I remember to check in about the progress of the work on the NYMR. We are hoping to go Pickering to Whitby on May 12th. We will wait to buy tickets until we know a little more. Just for reference, we were able to walk up and get tickets on a Thursday in mid May in 2019.
Laurel,
When I travelled that route several years ago, I had no trouble getting same-day tickets at the rail station in Pickering. I only travelled as far as Goathland, as that was my primary reason for making the trip (I'm a big fan of Heartbeat). However the situation is different now, as there seems to be a lot more tourists these days, so I'd probably book tickets in advance, especially at that time of year.
That's a somewhat unique trip and a lot of fun. Have a wonderful time!
It is worth noting that on these dates, and for much of the season, only half the service to Whitby will be steam hauled, the other services are using heritage diesel locomotives.
Also in early season and most Sundays throughout the year some of the Pickering to Grosmont services are being run by the preserved autocar.
That is a wonderful piece of railway history- a petrol/electric train- as far back as the start of the 20th century the North Eastern Railway recognised that steam traction was not the future for passenger traffic on lightly trafficked branches and developed the autocar- a (then) petrol driven multiple unit which generates it's own electricity for propulsion.
Far more economical to run- https://electricautocar.co.uk/
Also on the Tuesday Laurel is interested in, if the bridge repairs are complete, they are running the North Yorkshire Pullman dining train- 1235 from Grosmont to Pickering, returns at 1520-
https://www.nymr.co.uk/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=ea71839b-b972-4522-9e90-f07a6f8de16b
It is, without question, a splurge, but is an option.
As the Pullman stock is based at Grosmont (and currently stranded there due to the bridge failure) I'm not sure what they will do if the problem persists.
Just my opinion, but steam trains are better viewed from outside. Once you're onboard you could be on any train. We frequently spend a week in either Whitby or Pickering. If the trains are running we may go to the station to see them leave, then get the bus. The train runs mostly through cuttings so you'll see nothing but steep banks on either side. The Coastliner bus is far more scenic, goes through the middle of pretty Goathland, and if you sit upstairs gives beautiful views of the Moors. All for £3 each way.
Thanks everyone! Great info, I am still hesitant to buy in advance as western is a big factor if we are going to walk a few miles. I am particularly intrigued by the bus option ck99. Not that I am a lover of busses but it is less likely to be sold out.
A stop at the TI on Day 1 in Whitby is in order for current advice and conditions but you’ve all given me good factors and options to weigh.
One aspect of the trip on the NYMSR that I really enjoyed, was riding in the vintage carriages. Being able to exit directly from the compartment onto the platform was nice. I had lots of opportunities to have a look at the engine and got lots of photos.
The work on the bridge is running behind schedule, due to water levels in the river below being too high for safety.
Work has now started, with an aim of re-opening on 4 May, but time will tell.
I appreciate the update, isn31c!
sorry you have the uncertainty, Laurel
Still following. I will check in on 4, May about service on 12, May.
I just checked the NYMR website and there is a message saying that the bridge is now expected to reopen the 20th of May. Sadly, this eliminates our possibility of taking it to Whitby. Time to adjust plans on the fly. I’m thinking of skipping Whitby and spending more time in and around York. Any opinions?
Katie,
I'm unsure if you want to take the NYMR for the line or for Whitby, or for the steam interest.
If the latter then there are three other easily accessible options from York- the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway (the 'Railway Children' line), the Embsay and Bolton Abbey (bus up from Skipton, some buses from Bolton Abbey including to Grassington, also to see Bolton Abbey and the Strid) or the Scarborough North Bay Miniature Railway- https://www.snbr.org.uk/
Also, at Leeds, you have the world's oldest continuously working railway at the Middleton Railway- one of those little known but seriously historic railways- https://middletonrailway.org.uk/
(it would make a better 'Jeopardy' question than last week's very oddly worded one, which no one knew!)
Of general interest the NYMR has a big financial problem- the fundraising campaign for the repairs (the 3rd campaign since Covid) has all but stalled £600,000 short of target; also due to operational problems at Goathland all trains are having to be top and tailed increasing costs when revenue is sharply down (engine front and rear).
Thus I would suggest retaining your plans- taking the train to Goathland then Coastliner bus to Whitby (one way) then either returning via Scarborough (half hourly bus then hourly train) or on the Esk Valley Line to Middlesbrough (change for hourly train direct to York- or vice versa.
Hi Stuart. It was a combination of having really enjoyed taking the NYMR from Pickering to Goathland in the past and wanting to see Whitby. However, this plan did require 2 one night stays and a two night stay to execute so since we can’t take the train all the way to Whitby and back, we’ve decided to stay in York all 4 nights and put Whitby on the list for next time. We are going to Bolton Abbey tomorrow though!
