Round Trip steam train ride from Pickering to Whitby and return

We enjoyed the trip , I being a railfan , and my wife having similar interests ( and being quite tolerant ) . We stopped for a bit at Grosmont Junction , where the workshops are located and it was quite interesting . You should not miss The National Railway Museum in York . Apart from the wonderful exhibits , the history of how railways changed the world is on full display here . Whitby is a charmer , but remember to bring an ample supply of garlic and a few silver bullets to ward off you know who while there. To further whet your appetite for all of this , watch this great travelogue from 1979 by Michael Palin ( of Monty Python notoriety ) " Confessions of a Trainspotter " https://youtu.be/mYi1qLUAJJI

We just came from Whitby, yesterday, after spending two nights there. How much time will you have there on the train plan? We missed Goth Weekend (not our thing) and saw very few vampires during our stay. We did walk the Cleveland Way path to Robin Hood's Bay ( 6.5 miles) with a bus ride back, and in Whitby enjoyed some of the best seafood we have had anywhere. It is a pretty coastal town but I wonder what the weather might be in October. It was so cold this weekend we skipped the abbey because of the frigid wind.

I found the scenery on the North York Moors steam railway very scenic, although much of it is similar. One of the most interesting parts for me was just sitting in those vintage cars being pulled by a steam engine. The train stops at a number of small stations along the way, and you might consider stopping for an hour or so in Goathland. As I recall, they offer a day pass, which provides "Hop On/Hop Off" service.

The station in Goathland is like stepping back in time (which is why it was used in one of the Harry Potter movies). If you've ever watched Heartbeat on TV, you may want to walk up to the Goathland Hotel (aka "Aidensfield Arms") and have a pint (or two). You can also have a look at Bernie Scripps garage.

How are you planning on getting from York to Pickering? I've never checked into alternative modes of transport but if you want to only go as far as Whitby, it's possible that National Express (or other local bus line) has service back to York.

There is a bus from York to Whitby via Pickering (or vice-versa). It leaves from outside the station in York. Timetable here: http://www.yorkbus.co.uk/cmsUploads/route/files/Coastlinersummer2016web.pdf

Thanks for all the informative comments. We will be renting a car for our 4 week driving tour of England and Wales. We plan to stay in York for three days then moving on up to Durham and Hadrian's Wall.

If you're driving from York to Pickering to connect with the train, parking at the station is "limited" so the lot may be full. As I recall, there's another car park up the road at a Trout Farm or something, and it's about a 10-15 minute walk from there back to the station.

As Ken says , the parking is limited , but not only by the number of cars , by time limitation . There is a dedicated lot past the station - Coming from York on the A 170 , turn left just before Pickering station onto The Ropery , this becomes Park St and then Undercliffe , you will see the carpark for the North York Moors Railway on your left a short way up from the A 170

steven,

The car park you described may have been the same one I mentioned, as it's close to a Trout Lake and just off Undercliffe. It's been a few years so the details are a bit foggy.

Not foggy at all - It is the trout lake !