The witches of Yorkshire are perhaps more used to travelling by broomstick, but this Halloween,they’ll be relying on a rather more traditional means of transport as they step aboard the North Yorkshire Moors Railway for the two Halloween Story Trains! 
These very special services will be departing from Pickering Station, and a magical crew will be on board to entertain travellers with stories, challenges and spells whilst travelling down the line to Grosmont Station. Passengers will then disembark for a very special MAGIC SHOW, before the witches will then gather their young apprentice wizards and witches for the return journey back down the line to Pickering. The MORNING STORY TRAIN will leave Pickering Station at 11.00am and will return at approximately 2.40pm. The afternoon train departure leaves at 1pm, returning around 4.50pm as darkness falls.
There’s never a dull moment on the Story Trains. Live characters keep passengers on their toes for the journey’s duration – and the HALLOWE’EN STORY TRAIN will be particularly enchanting, with the promise of a LIVE MAGIC SHOW on arrival at Grosmont station. Adults and youngsters are encouraged to dress for the occasion – plenty of broomsticks, pointy hats, ‘warts & all’, as the staff will be giving out family passes for 2015 visits to the best dressed on each train.”
The fun continues back at Pickering Station with some special visitors in the Learning Centre (on Platform 2), including creepy crawlies, critters and rodents – the perfect mix for a Halloween treat! There will also be plenty of craft activities and colouring sheets for children to enjoy, before they head home to trick or treat!
Tickets for the Hallowe’en Story Train: £45 for a family (2 adults and up to 4 children), or £20.50 for 1 adult ticket; £17.50 for senior citizens and £10.50 for children. Tickets need to be pre-booked via the website (www.nymr.co.uk), or please call 01751 472508. Alternatively, you can purchase your ticket from the ticket office at Pickering Station.
As well as the Hallowe’en Specials, visitors to the railway over the half term holiday break (25 October to 2 November 2014) can collect Witches and Wizards trail sheets, where they are challenged to solve a series of clues along the line. All who complet the trails will be entered into a special prize draw to win family tickets for 2015.
Visitors who are wishing to enjoy a special service on the Heritage Railway on Friday 31 October (without any additional other-worldly guests), a heavenly dining experience awaits you on the Moorlander Pullman lunch service. This is an additional service that leaves Grosmont at 12.30pm and includes a three course lunch which includes a warming starter, a traditional roast or fresh poached salmon course and a mouthwateringly delicious dessert.
Ticket prices for the Moorlander Pullman Lunch service: £56 for adults, £54.50 for concessions and £44.50 for children. To reserve your seats please call 01751 472508 (extension 621).
The remaining few tickets are also available for the North Yorkshire Moors Railway Santa Specials, which will be running on selected dates from 30 November through to 22 December. Tickets can be booked online at www.nymr.co.uk .