All aboard the Story Train with the North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Every Friday from 26 July to 1 September 2013

Fantastically fun Fridays are in store for anyone hopping aboard the 10.00am train from Pickering during the school summer holidays, when the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) hosts six weeks of ‘story trains’ to keep its young visitors happy during the long break.

Families will be welcomed every Friday by NYMR’s costumed characters, Tracker Jack and Ember the Cat, as they board the steam train from Pickering up to Grosmont.  Each week will have a different theme, with characters from the week’s story joining the train to meet and chat with the visiting children.  On Friday 26 July, Alice, the Mad Hatter and even the Queen of Hearts from Lewis Carroll’s classic ‘Alice in Wonderland’ will be mingling with the travellers, whilst on 2 August, the magical world of Harry Potter will come to life, with a special appearance by Hagrid!

Once at Grosmont, visitors can have their photographs taken with the characters, before being challenged to hunt around the station for a secret ‘clue’ which they will need for their storytelling fun trail sheet.  Everyone then boards the train for the trip back to Pickering, with fun stops along the way.

On the way back down the line, everyone is invited to disembark at Goathland station – which was used as the set for Hogsmeade Station in the first Harry Potter film and featured in the ITV drama series, Heartbeat – and enjoy a five minute walk over to the Goathland Hotel for a mini-show performed by the story book characters.  Returning to the train, passengers travel on to Levisham for trackside storytelling in the paddock – with parents able to purchase drinks and snacks from the tea hut.

“Our Story Trains offer a fantastic day out for families – stories, a show, stunning scenery and even the chance to win a return visit with our weekly competitions.  The story book characters are fantastic fun, from Hobbits and pirates to fairies and nursery rhyme characters, not forgetting our wonderful Hagrid from the Harry Potter stories,” comments Danielle Ramsey, marketing manager for NYMR.  “Whether you are enjoying the stunning scenery or talking nonsense with the Mad Hatter, this will be a journey you’ll never forget!”

The Story Trains leave Pickering at 10.00am each Friday, returning at 2.40pm.  Visitors are advised to wear appropriate clothing for the weather (including plenty of sun cream if the weather remains hot) as some of the activities take place outdoors.   Tickets for the return trip cost £19.50 for adults and £10.00 for children, with a family ticket (two adults and up to four children) available for just £39.00.  Pre-booking is strongly recommended, by calling 01751 472508 or visiting www.nymr.co.uk

Every other day, children travelling along the NYMR this summer are invited to take part in Tracker Jack’s fun trail, spotting clues at the stations along the line.  Every participant is also invited to take part in a free draw to win family tickets for a return visit to the railway over the next 12 months.

For visitors who are happy to enjoy the trip along the North Yorkshire Moors Railway without the activities, there are services running every day throughout the summer between Pickering and Whitby.  As part of NYMR’s 40thanniversary celebrations, the world’s most popular heritage railway is also offering special week-long tickets, ideal for those holidaying at any point along the line, which cost £39/week (Pickering to Grosmont) or £49 per week (Pickering to Whitby) for an adult, or just £78/£98 per week for a family of two adults and up to three children for unlimited travel for seven days.  These summer holiday tickets are available exclusively from NYMR booking offices.

For more information, please call 01751 472508 or visit www.nymr.co.uk

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The themes for the Story Trains throughout the summer are:

26th July – Alice in Wonderland
2nd August – Hogwarts
9th August – Pirates
16th August – Nursery Rhymes
23rd August – The Hobbit
30th August – Fairies

For further media information, please contact:

Jay Commins – Pyper York Limited

Tel: 01904 500698

Mob: 07810 546567

Email: jay@pyperyork.co.uk