Steam power will mark start of 'Cote de Grosmont' in the Tour de Yorkshire

Friday 1 May 2015

Who needs a starting pistol when you have the joint power of three steam engines?  Three locomotives will send huge plumes of steam into the air to mark the start of the ‘Cote de Grosmont’ section of the Tour de Yorkshire on Friday 1 May 2015, which will depart from the level crossing between the three engines!

The Cote de Grosmont stage is just one of the times the epic cycling race will come close to the railway as it travels through Pickering and Whitby during Stage 1, although this is the only time that it actually crosses the rails – and organisers from the North Yorkshire Moors Railway are making sure that it gets the best possible send-off for the 400m climb up through the village of Grosmont.

“The North York Moors National Park is probably the most stunning part of the route of the Tour de Yorkshire, and with the North Yorkshire Moors Railway an arterial route through the countryside, we had to mark this stage in impressive style,” comments Danielle Ramsey, marketing manager for NYMR.  “We are laying on extra services, and working with Northern Rail to extend our services to make it easier for those travelling down from Middlesbrough to get to the heart of the races, and of course, having three engines on one side of the crossing will create an absolutely iconic image during this stage – fantastic for cycle enthusiasts, photographers and anyone looking for a wonderful day out during this inaugural race!”

Indeed, with rolling road closures throughout the county during the Tour de Yorkshire, the heritage railway and Northern Rail services are likely to be one of the most reliable ways of getting around the region throughout the Tour weekend and, indeed, an extra marquee will be installed on Platform 2 at Grosmont Station to extend the tea room for visitors, serving delicious local produce and will be fully licenced for celebratory tipples!

“Sadly, neither we nor Northern Rail have the capacity to transport more than a couple of bikes into the region, and we advise against ‘race chasers’ trying to get from one point on the stage to another, but we will be making the most of the party atmosphere all weekend, and giving visitors a great reason to enjoy the railway’s charms!” adds Danielle.

Carolyn Watson, head of communications for Northern Rail said, “With the party atmosphere returning to Yorkshire we’re looking forward to taking spectators to the Tour.  Through our partnership with NYMR we’re making it as easy as we can for customers travelling by train.  Extra services and longer trains mean more opportunities to travel and tickets issued by both companies will be valid on any train between Battersby and Whitby.”

Opportunities for those visiting the North Yorkshire Moors Railway to see the Tour de Yorkshire on Friday 1 May are:

• Approximately 1.45pm in Pickering town centre (10am service from Whitby arrives at 11.55am to get the best view)
• Approximately 3.00pm at Grosmont (12.30pm service from Pickering, 12.50pm service from Whitby or 10.57am Northern service from Battersby)
• Approximately 3.18pm in Whitby (12.30pm service from Pickering, or 10.57am Northern service from Battersby)

For more information about the special North Yorkshire Moors Railway timetable running for the Tour de Yorkshire, please visit www.nymr.co.uk.  For more information about Northern Rail services please visit northernrail.org/tourdeyorkshire

ENDS

For further media information or photographs, please contact:

Jay Commins

Pyper York Limited

Tel:         01904 500698

Email:    jay@pyperyork.co.uk