The North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) has announced the return of its highly anticipated Annual Steam Gala, with ticket prices frozen at 2025 rates.
Set to take place from 24th – 27th September, this four-day event promises a thrilling celebration of Britain’s steam heritage, with a fantastic line-up of guest locomotives and home fleet.
The NYMR is excited to welcome the following three iconic guest locomotives for this year’s event:
- No. 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley, courtesy of the Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust Ltd. is a renowned member of the LNER A4 Pacific class, designed by the celebrated railway engineer, Sir Nigel Gresley. No. 60007’s visit is part of the celebrations of innovation, speed, and elegance marking the 150th anniversary of the railway legend, Sir Nigel Gresley. 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.
- No. 4079 ‘Pendennis Castle’ courtesy of Didcot Railway Centre, was built in 1924; its claim to fame dates back to 1925 when it was lent by the GWR to the London & North Eastern Railway for trials against Sir Nigel Gresley’s mighty new Pacifics. Out-performing her competitions, No. 4079 was extremely popular and the GWR sent Pendennis Castle to stand alongside ‘Flying Scotsman’ at the 1925 British Empire Exhibition at Wembley with a notice proclaiming her to be the most powerful passenger express locomotive in Britain.
- T3 class steam locomotive No. 563, courtesy of Swanage Railway Trust, is the last member of its class in service. Built in 1893 to a design by engineer William Adams, the non-working No. 563 was donated to the Swanage Railway Trust by the National Railway Museum in 2017. After a six-year restoration to full working order by the trust to its new lined out 1890s Drummond passenger green livery, the 81 tonne T3 hauled its first passenger train, since 1945, in October 2023, when it steamed out of Swanage station. It escaped being scrapped thanks to the start of WWII in 1939 and again in 1948, when it helped celebrate the centenary of Waterloo Station.
In addition to these special guests, the NYMR will be showcasing its home fleet including; Black 5 No. 44806, Black 5 No. 5428 ‘Eric Treacy’, SR Schools No. 926 ‘Repton’, Lambton Tank No. 29 ‘Peggy’, Cockerill No. 8 ‘Lucie’, NER Class P3 No. 2392, and No. 2253 ‘Omaha’.
A full timetable of services will be operated, offering plenty of opportunities to experience the sights and sounds of classic steam on the heritage railway through the stunning North York Moors National Park. There will be a shuttle service from Whitby to Grosmont in the morning and return shuttle from Grosmont to Whitby for visitors joining from Whitby.
Visitors can also look forward to a barbecue at Grosmont, as well as the popular Annual Beer Festival. The Shed Shop will be hosting a fantastic range of railway items, and the Tea Rooms will be open for refreshments.
Paul ‘Piglet’ Middleton, Director of Mechanical Engineering at NYMR, said: “We’re incredibly excited to announce our line-up for this year’s Annual Steam Gala – we’re welcoming back our firm favourite Sir Nigel Gresley and introducing Pendennis and T3 for the first time and of course, we’ll have newly oil-converted steam locomotive No. 2253 Omaha in traction. It’s set to be a fantastic four days of steam and we can’t wait to welcome everyone who is travelling from near and far to celebrate our visiting and home fleet locos.”
Day tickets to the Annual Steam Gala are priced as they were in 2025, starting at £49.50 per adult, with Kids Go Free (aged 0-15 years old). An Annual Steam Gala Donation Ticket is available per day for £54.45. Multi-day tickets are available, and visitors with Patron and Ambassadors membership gain free access to the Annual Steam Gala.
For visitors who cannot attend the Annual Steam Gala, the NYMR are running special pre-booked seat allocated services this September and October featuring legendary locomotives: No. 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley and No. 4079 ‘Pendennis Castle’ as part of the Rockstar Engines services.
Don’t miss four unforgettable days of steam traction at one of the UK’s most picturesque heritage railways. For more information and to book tickets to the Steam Gala, visit www.nymr.co.uk/steamgala
