“North Yorkshire Moors Railway 1968 – 2022”

Presenter: David Birtle

Later in the month (May) David Birtle, a long time founder member of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, was to be the speaker at the regular evening meeting of the Branch, telling of both the early day developments and the ongoing enhancements and improvements.  Initial detailed photographs illustrated and described the required engineering and civil work undertaken across the entirety of the line that enabled the line to open leading up to its official opening in 1973 between Pickering and Grosmont.  A few years later it was then extended to Whitby.

The presentation continued and illustrated the growth and development within the motive power department including the building of the engine shed.  Locomotive needs told of the initial first industrial tank engines through to the tender and tank engines of the LNER, Southern & Midland Railways concluding with the introduction of more modern day British Rail diesels.

As the line developed, and due to its length/nature, so did its popularity and hence many were the photo charters that were attracted to the railway.

A wide-ranging collection of superb photographs described and illustrated the wide ranging variation of locomotives that have, and continue, to visit the line.  All were to be seen in typical moorland scenery together with photographs depicting their own specific engines.

As a final and closing sequence before/after pictures were shown of the stations along the line which perfectly demonstrated the immense development work that has been undertaken throughout the lifetime of this railway.

Our thanks to the presenter for describing the venture in such excellent detail.