A heritage railway is inviting visitors to step behind the scenes as part of a nationwide festival of history and culture.
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) will take part in Heritage Open Days with a special programme of free events running across its stations in Pickering, Goathland, and Grosmont from September 11 to 20.
Visitors will be able to access rarely seen parts of the railway, meet the volunteers and staff who keep it running, and explore its rich history through exhibitions, guided tours, and hands-on demonstrations.
Rhiannon Hope, learning and interpretation lead at NYMR, said: "Heritage Open Days is a wonderful opportunity to share the stories that make the North Yorkshire Moors Railway so special.
"From the memories preserved in our archive to the incredible engineering skills that keep our locomotives running, every experience offers visitors a chance to connect with the people behind the railway.
"Whether you’re a lifelong enthusiast or discovering us for the first time, we look forward to welcoming everyone to explore, learn, and experience our heritage from a new perspective."
One of the highlights of this year’s programme is Living Histories: A Dive into the Archive, an exhibition running from September 14 to 16 in the Learning Classroom at Pickering Station.
Visitors can explore archive materials spanning the railway’s mainline years through to its preservation and present-day operations.
Station tours will also be available at Pickering, Goathland, and Grosmont from September 14 to 16.
Each station offers a different perspective on the railway’s history: Pickering with its 1930s theme, Goathland made famous as Hogsmeade Station in the first Harry Potter film, and Grosmont, a 1952-themed station that serves as the heart of NYMR’s operations and engineering.
In Grosmont, a Motive Power Depot (MPD) Walking Shed Tour will take place on September 12 and 13 from 11am to 3pm, offering a look inside the locomotive sheds and a chance to see restoration and maintenance work up close.
Guided talks at the depot will be held from September 14 to 16 between 1pm and 3pm.
Visitors can also take part in signal box demonstrations at Pickering Station from September 14 to 16, with sessions running from 10am to 12pm and 12.30pm to 2pm.
The 10 to 15-minute demonstrations will explain the role of the signaller and include opportunities to operate a signal and use the token machine.
Behind-the-scenes tours of Armstrong Oilers, the manufacturing facility featured in the Channel 4 series Steam Train Diaries, will be available in Grosmont from September 13 to 16 and on September 20.
Visitors will meet the team behind the vital components that keep steam locomotives running—a reminder that without Armstrong Oilers, steam engines would "quite literally grind to a halt."
Heritage Open Days is the country’s largest festival of history and culture, offering thousands of free events each year.
The festival is organised by the National Trust and supported by Postcode Lottery players, with events delivered by organisations and volunteers nationwide.
Many NYMR activities will be available on a drop-in basis, but some tours and demonstrations require advance registration.
To reserve places, visitors can email learning@nymr.co.uk.
Full event details are available at www.nymr.co.uk/hods.
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