steam gala

Steam Gala returns with frozen ticket prices

Families can enjoy one of the UK’s biggest heritage railway events this autumn as the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) welcomes back its Annual Steam Gala from 24 to 27 September. Even better, ticket prices remain frozen at 2025 rates, making this popular family day out even better value. Book tickets and find full event details at www.nymr.co.uk/steamgala.

Visitors can expect four action-packed days celebrating Britain’s rich railway heritage, with iconic steam locomotives, scenic journeys and plenty of family entertainment across the spectacular North York Moors National Park.

Famous steam engines headline the event

This year’s Steam Gala features three outstanding guest locomotives alongside the NYMR home fleet.

The famous No. 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley returns as part of celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of legendary railway engineer Sir Nigel Gresley. Railway enthusiasts can also welcome No. 4079 Pendennis Castle, the Great Western Railway locomotive that famously impressed during the 1925 locomotive trials.

Joining them for the first time is T3 Class No. 563 from the Swanage Railway Trust. After an extensive restoration, this remarkable Victorian locomotive now delights visitors once again after decades away from passenger service.

The NYMR home fleet also joins the celebrations, 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 great family day out

A full timetable allows visitors to enjoy multiple steam journeys through stunning countryside. Shuttle services between Whitby and Grosmont also make travelling to the event much easier.

Away from the railway, families can enjoy the popular Annual Beer Festival, browse railway gifts at the Shed Shop and relax with refreshments in the Tea Rooms. Grosmont will also host a barbecue throughout the event.

Children aged 15 and under travel free, making the Steam Gala an affordable family experience. Adult day tickets start from £49.50, while multi-day tickets offer even greater value for visitors planning a longer stay.

More steam adventures this autumn

Families unable to attend the Steam Gala still have another opportunity to enjoy these legendary locomotives. During September and October, the NYMR will operate special Rockstar Engines services featuring both Sir Nigel Gresley and Pendennis Castle. These pre-booked services promise unforgettable journeys through one of Britain’s most beautiful heritage railways.

Whether you love steam trains or simply want a memorable family day out, the Annual Steam Gala offers history, engineering and spectacular scenery in one exciting autumn event.

For tickets and full event information, visit www.nymr.co.uk/steamgala.

By Fergus McCarthy

Fergus McCarthy is a seasoned publishing professional with over three decades of experience in the media industry. In 1993, he co-founded Parents News, a pioneering publication aimed at providing busy parents in Southwest London with essential information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly activities. Under his leadership, Parents News quickly expanded its reach from 60,000 to 192,000 monthly printed copies, establishing additional branches in Kent, South London, Northern Ireland, and Cornwall. In 1997, recognizing the potential of digital media, Fergus helped launch Parents News UK Online, which carried digital editions of the printed publication and offered a broader range of national information. The website's popularity soared, attracting up to 700 daily hits at its peak. Although Parents News transitioned to an online-only platform in 2017, Fergus continues to play a vital role as Publisher and Advertising Manager, focusing on providing value to businesses through effective advertorials.