News & Events

Railway’s achievement “remarkable” in a challenging year

Wednesday, 21st January 2009

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway has survived the challenges of 2008 by recording 315,000 visitors during 2008. It describes this figure as “remarkable” given the combination of adverse weather conditions last summer and the effects of the economic downturn.

The figures represent a 2.5% decrease in the number of visitors compared to 2007, when the heritage steam railway celebrated a record number of visitors at 322,000. But they are still the second best on record.

The 2.5% drop is thought to be not as severe as that felt by many other attractions in Yorkshire.

Philip Benham, General Manager of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, said: “We are very pleased with these results. There has been a lot of hard work and the figures reflect a Railway which continues to be appealing for tourists and enthusiasts alike. Despite a small decline in volume, we remain the market leader in heritage steam and remain one of Yorkshire’s finest attractions. This puts us in good stead to face the challenges ahead.”

A key factor was the extended services beyond Grosmont to Whitby. In 2008 the number of services running between Pickering and the coast increased by half. Also of note was last October’s “Railway at War” event, which was the biggest yet attracting over 10,000 visitors to Pickering and its neighbouring villages along the route of the Railway. The year-end finished on a high with a 15% increase in visitors, many of whom enjoyed the traditional ‘Santa Specials’ and festive Pullman dining train.

But the buoyant number of visitors has not been without its costs, and Mr Benham said that the Railway faced considerable challenges ahead, if it is to remain a viable tourist attraction.

In particular the Railway has been hit hard with the cost of coal, which doubled in price during 2008. “For a Railway operating a very busy timetable, every day between April and November, this represents considerable outlay,” he said. The hiring in of steam locomotives from alternative sources also added to the bill, but were necessary to ensure that the NYMR had sufficient engines to operate its comprehensive timetable, which at its peak delivers 12 return services per day.

Looking ahead to 2009, Mr Benham said that the Railway would continue to plan for the delivery of a comprehensive timetable, offering as much choice as possible for visitors to Yorkshire and the North York Moors. Most fares have been held and the Railway plans to deliver a number of special events including the hosting of a Spring Steam Gala featuring the newly built A1 Pacific steam locomotive “Tornado.”

Commenting on the NYMR’s results, Yorkshire Tourist Board Chief Executive, Gary Verity, said: “This is very good news indeed and we support the excellent service being delivered by NYMR, which I have personally sampled first hand. The Railway strives to offer an ever-changing and diverse choice of activities which can be enjoyed across all age groups, which is why I believe they are proving to be such a success. We wish them all the very best in 2009.


Doing Business In Serbia

Thursday, 15th January 2009

The Yorkshire Society, in association with Leeds City Council, is pleased to host a prestigious conference to promote the opportunities for business and collaborative work between Serbia and Yorkshire-based businesses and organisations.

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