The North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) is positioning itself as a must-visit Easter destination with an innovative prehistoric-themed holiday programme running from 5th-21st April, combining traditional heritage rail experiences with family-friendly dinosaur activities.
This strategic blend of historical transport heritage and entertaining themed events comes as the railway participates in the national Railway 200 celebrations, marking the bicentenary of modern railways in Britain.
Heritage Rail Meets Prehistoric Adventure
The railway’s Easter programme transforms multiple stations along its picturesque route through the North York Moors National Park into interactive dinosaur-themed attractions, creating compelling reasons for visitors to explore the entire line rather than single destinations.
At Goathland Station, made famous as ‘Hogsmeade’ in the Harry Potter films, families can meet baby dinosaurs (18th-21st April) with shows timed to coordinate with train arrivals from Whitby and Pickering, maximising visitor dwell time and encouraging full-line journeys. The same location will host fossil excavation activities and clay dinosaur footprint crafting sessions.
Meanwhile, Pickering Station will feature ‘Dino Dig’ experiences from 5th-17th April, while giant dinosaur egg selfie stations at select locations create Instagram-worthy photo opportunities likely to drive social media engagement and organic marketing for the attraction.
Charlotte Hawes, Events & Guest Experience Manager at NYMR, explained the tourism strategy: “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. With this event taking place during Railway 200, it makes the perfect opportunity to celebrate the incredible history of rail travel while making unforgettable memories.”
Iconic Locomotive Makes First Appearance
Adding significant appeal for railway enthusiasts and heritage tourism specialists, No. 45596 Bahamas will make its debut appearance at the NYMR from 5th-13th April (excluding 9th April). This visiting locomotive, maintained by the Bahamas Locomotive Society, represents an important draw for the specialist rail tourism market, diversifying the appeal beyond the family demographic targeted by the dinosaur activities.
The combination of themed events for families and special interest attractions for enthusiasts demonstrates NYMR’s sophisticated approach to balancing different tourism segments during the peak Easter holiday period.
Extending the Visitor Season
Beyond the core Easter programme, NYMR is implementing several initiatives to extend the tourism season and encourage repeat visits. The railway has launched ‘The 200 Trail’ as part of the national Railway 200 celebrations, featuring 40 activities in a year-long challenge designed to incentivise multiple return trips.
Visitors can also participate in the ‘200 Mile Challenge,’ recording their journeys between the railway’s historic stations throughout the year, creating a loyalty mechanism that promotes ongoing engagement with the attraction.
Additional special events include an evening of stargazing on 4th April at The Outstation in Stape (£10 per person), taking advantage of the Dark Sky status of the North York Moors to offer a unique night-time tourism experience. A ‘Big Science Show’ at Pickering Station Classroom (5th-6th April, £8 per person) further diversifies the attraction’s appeal with educational content.
Tourism Impact
This comprehensive programme represents a significant tourism driver for the wider North York Moors region during the critical Easter holiday period. By offering multiple activities across different stations, NYMR encourages visitors to explore beyond the main hubs of Pickering and Whitby, distributing tourism benefits throughout the route.
The themed events are expected to appeal particularly to family staycationers and day-trippers from nearby urban centres including York, Middlesbrough, and Leeds, with the specialist locomotive visit attracting enthusiasts from across the UK.
For the travel trade, the programme offers compelling package opportunities combining rail heritage, family entertainment, and the natural beauty of one of England’s most scenic national parks. Accommodation providers in towns and villages along the route are likely to benefit from increased bookings during what is traditionally a shoulder season ahead of the peak summer months.
Ticketing for the Easter events and regular services is available through the railway’s website, with advance booking recommended for special activities such as the baby dinosaur encounters, which carry a £10 per child supplement to the standard travel tickets.
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