Teddy bears replace tickets on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Teddy Bears’ Picnic Week, 25 May to 2 June 2013

If you ride down on the train this May half term holiday (Saturday 25 May to Sunday 2 June 2013), you are sure of a big surprise, when the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) swaps tickets for cuddly toys during a week-long Teddy Bears’ Picnic!

Throughout the week, children taking their teddy bear along for a trip on the heritage railway will not have to buy a ticket to ride, as they will travel free with a full fare paying adult as part of the NYMR’s 40th birthday celebrations.  The teddy bear theme continues at each station along the railway, with visitors challenged to find teddy bear pictures at Pickering, Levisham, Goathland and Grosmont stations.

“Whether you are coming to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway as a fantastic way of travelling for a day out to the coast, to explore the stunning countryside of the moors, or simply for a uniquely nostalgic steam train experience, everyone is welcome, and this fun twist where children and their teddy bears travel for free makes it a great value day out for the whole family,” comments NYMR’s marketing manager, Danielle Ramsey.  “Needless to say that no picnic is complete without sandwiches and cakes, and we’ve got a great selection available from each of our tea rooms along the line, or you are welcome to bring your own to eat along the way.”

Travellers leaving from Pickering Station throughout the half term break will receive an extra special send-off, with NYMR’s two costumed characters, Tracker Jack and the station cat, waving them off as their train departs the station.

“Our station cat joins us for our 40th anniversary celebrations, but as yet, we haven’t given him a name, so we’ll be asking our visitors to come up with some suggestions for a name,” adds Danielle. “Although we can only give him one name, entrants will also have the chance to win a return trip on the railway during the summer months, with five family tickets being given away during the course of the week.”

Trains depart from Pickering to Grosmont every hour on the hour from 9.00am to 5.00pm, with the 9.00am, 12 noon and 4.00pm services continuing on to Whitby.  Children arriving without a teddy bear of their own can still save money on a standard ticket and take a fun souvenir home, with NYMR engine driver teddy bears available for £7.95 from the shop at Pickering station, saving between £1 and £4 per child.

For more information, please call 01751 472508, or you can book tickets online at www.nymr.co.uk

ENDS

Notes to editors:

NYMR is hosting a range of events throughout 2013.  Forthcoming events include:

Sixties Weekend - 15 & 16 June 2013

Super 70s Boogie Wonderland - 29 – 30 June 2013

Classic Cars and Vehicles Weekend - 13 – 14 July 2013

Summer Fun Trails and Story Trains 20 July – 1 September 2013

40th Anniversary Heritage Diesel Gala - 13 – 15 September 2013

40th Anniversary Autumn Steam Gala - 27 – 29 September 2013

LNER Weekend – 4 – 6 October 2013

The Railway in Wartime - 11 – 13 October 2013

Witches and Wizards Week - 26 October – 3 November 2013

Santa Specials - 30 November – 22 December 2013

For further media information, please contact:

Jay Commins, Pyper York Limited

Tel: 01904 500698

Mob: 07810 546567

Email: jay@pyperyork.co.uk