Families looking for Easter holiday entertainment can journey back in time twice over at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) this April, with a unique combination of heritage rail travel and prehistoric adventure.
The popular attraction, which runs through the heart of the North York Moors National Park, has announced a packed programme of dinosaur-themed activities running from 5th-21st April, alongside the first-ever visit of iconic locomotive No. 45596 Bahamas.
The special Easter events form part of the Railway 200 celebrations, marking the bicentenary of modern railways in the UK.
Meet Baby Dinosaurs and Iconic Locomotives
Children will have the chance to come face-to-face with baby dinosaurs at Goathland Station from 18th-21st April, with show times carefully scheduled to align with train arrivals from Whitby and Pickering. These interactive encounters, priced at £10 per child, promise to delight young dinosaur enthusiasts.
For railway buffs, the visit of No. 45596 Bahamas from 5th-13th April (excluding 9th April) offers a rare opportunity to see and ride behind this celebrated locomotive, which will be making its debut appearance on the NYMR tracks.
Charlotte Hawes, Events & Guest Experience Manager at NYMR, said: “This Easter, we’re thrilled to bring families an experience that combines the magic of heritage rail travel with the excitement of the prehistoric era. From meeting baby dinosaurs to digging for fossils, there’s so much for visitors of all ages to enjoy.”
Fossil Hunting and Dino Crafts
Budding palaeontologists can try their hand at fossil excavation with ‘Dino Dig’ activities at Pickering Station (5th-17th April) and Goathland Station (18th-21st April). The hands-on experience allows children to uncover hidden treasures in sand trays from 10am daily.
Creative youngsters can also make their own dinosaur footprint keepsakes from clay at Goathland Station (18th-21st April), while giant dinosaur egg selfie stations will be installed at select locations for family photo opportunities.
A dinosaur egg hunt will run throughout the Easter period, challenging visitors to spot hidden eggs at each station along the heritage line. Families can also download a special ‘Dinosaur Times’ activity sheet packed with puzzles and challenges to test their prehistoric knowledge.
Science and Stars
Beyond the dinosaur theme, NYMR is offering additional educational experiences during the Easter period.
On 4th April, visitors can join the Whitby and District Astronomical Society for an evening of stargazing at The Outstation in Stape. Priced at £10 per person, the event takes advantage of the Dark Sky status of the North York Moors to offer exceptional views of the night sky.
A ‘Big Science Show’ will take place at Pickering Station Classroom on 5th-6th April, featuring experiments and hands-on activities for both children and adults. Tickets for this event are priced at £8 per person.
Railway 200 Celebrations
The Easter events coincide with the launch of NYMR’s contribution to the national Railway 200 celebrations. The ‘200 Trail’ invites visitors to explore 40 fun activities in the first phase of a year-long challenge celebrating two centuries of rail heritage.
Enthusiasts can also take on the ‘200 Mile Challenge’, tracking their journeys between the railway’s historic stations throughout the year. The initiatives aim to highlight the profound impact railways have had on British society since 1825.
Local resident and regular NYMR visitor Sarah Thompson commented: “We’re really looking forward to the Easter events this year. My children love both dinosaurs and trains, so this is the perfect combination for us. It’s great to see the railway putting on these creative activities for families.”
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway runs from Pickering to Whitby, passing through Levisham, Newton Dale, Goathland, and Grosmont stations. The heritage line, which attracts over 300,000 visitors annually, operates both steam and diesel services through some of Yorkshire’s most spectacular landscapes.
Advance booking for the Easter activities is recommended via the railway’s website, with regular services running throughout the period. Standard fares apply for train travel, with additional charges for some special events.
