Full steam ahead for North Yorkshire Moors Railway's December reopening

Firstly, we’ve got a couple of ‘new’ recruits to welcome to the team.

I say new, but both have already been part of the team here for many years.

Firstly, we have Suzie Shea, our new Pullman Train Manager.

Suzie first came to work at NYMR on a Youth Training Scheme when she was 16 and for the last 30 years has worked in various departments here so knows the organisation through and through.

She’s now responsible for ensuring that all our Pullman guests experience a leisurely and memorable meal whilst taking in the stunning scenery of the Moors.

We’ve also appointed a brand-new Chef for our Pullman services, Colin Kitching. Colin also began working at NYMR when he was 16 and began his journey with us in the Pickering tearoom.

He left us briefly but is now back and in charge of designing and producing delicious menus.

He’s already hard at work devising four seasonal lunch menus for our 2021 Moorlander services.

Colin and Suzie are both busy behind the scenes preparing everything in anticipation of reopening to our visitors once more on December 3, when we hope to launch our Christmas Pullman dining experience and festive fayre menu.

The Christmas Moorlander service departs from Grosmont station at 12.30pm on a variety of dates in December and January and guests can choose from smoked salmon parcels, chicken liver pate, festive turkey, roast topside of beef, not forgetting Christmas pud with hot rum sauce, among many other delectable dishes – you really should try them.

We’re also busy giving our passenger services a festive makeover ahead of our planned Santa Specials journeys, which are scheduled to start running on December 5 all being well.

Departing from Pickering Station, The Santa Specials involve a 60-minute journey aboard a heritage steam engine to help Santa and his elves save Christmas.

You might even catch a glimpse of Santa before soaking up the festive entertainment from his helpers, while steaming along to Levisham Station, listening to Jingle Bells FM and reading the Snowbound Express newspaper while the little ones help make toys for other good girls and boys.

Not forgetting that we’ve just launched our online Christmas shop where you can pick up a gift or two for yourself or your loved ones, including specially designed baubles and Christmas cards featuring bespoke artwork from watercolour artist, Emma Ball, a selection of NYMR wall calendars and planners, and even festive themed t-shirts.

All funds raised will directly help the NYMR keep steaming through to 2021. Feel free to take a look at nymr.co.uk/shopping

Stay safe.

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