To mark the return of the renowned locomotive after a major overhaul lasting seven years, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) has announced that tickets can now be purchased for a pre-booked journey hauled by iconic locomotive, No. 4498 ‘Sir Nigel Gresley’. Passengers will also get to travel in authentic teak carriages, restored by the LNER Coach Association (LNERCA).
Tickets for the experience available on the 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 & 12 October departing from Grosmont to Pickering at 9.30 am, 12.30 pm and 3.30 pm and cost £51 (return) for adults and free for children. For a more exclusive experience, you can purchase a compartment ticket for up to a maximum of six people for £204.
As part of the ticket, each fare-paying passenger will receive a limited-edition gift bag featuring a ‘Sir Nigel Gresley’ Enamel Badge, NYMR Guidebook and pen as well as some delicious local Lottie Shaw biscuits. On arrival at Pickering, visitors will have 15 minutes to take photographs of the iconic locomotive. For passengers wanting to make their experience extra special, a limited number of tickets will be available on the day to visit the locomotive footplate via the unique corridor tender – originally used for footplate crews to change shifts without the need to stop.
Nigel Wilson, Chairman of the Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust which owns No. 4498 said: “We are delighted to be visiting the NYMR this autumn and hope passengers will enjoy the exclusive experience of travelling behind the only operational class A4 ‘pacific’.”
Chris Price, CEO of the NYMR said: “We’ve been so excited to announce this not-to-be-missed experience to witness and enjoy such an iconic piece of railway history. The whole NYMR team is incredibly proud to be able to facilitate this journey and can’t wait to welcome passengers along to the event marking 85 years since the locomotive originally entered service in November 1937.”
Built at Doncaster works, No. 4498 ‘Sir Nigel Gresley’ entered service in 1937 following a naming ceremony at Marylebone station on 26th November. It was the 100th Gresley Pacific built by the London and North Eastern Railway. The locomotive was mainly based at London King’s Cross, with a spell at Grantham during World War II, and was briefly re-numbered as No. 7 before becoming No. 60007 when the LNER was merged into British Railways.
On 3rd June 1956 Sir Nigel Gresley had the honour of hauling the Royal Train from Kings Cross to York with H.M the Queen on board. The “Stephenson Locomotive Society Special” of the 23rd May 1959 was the first train in the UK with a booked or advertised schedule of over 100 m.p.h. and during that trip No. 60007 set the official post-war speed record for steam traction of 112 mph.
For more information on the journey and to purchase tickets, visit: nymr.co.uk/sir-nigel-gresley
To find out more about Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust Ltd, a registered charity, dedicated to the preservation and continued operation of iconic LNER A4 ‘Pacific’ No. 60007 visit: sirnigelgresley.org.uk/
The LNER Coach Association (LNERCA) was formed in 1980 with the objective of obtaining, restoring and operating a collection of ex-LNER and / or constituent companies vehicles. For more information visit: lnerca.org
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