25/07/2009

Issued By: North Yorkshire Moors Railway 

Over 100 guests are set to enjoy one of the most memorable days in the yearly calendar, as they come together to celebrate Yorkshire Day on 1^st August 2009.   

Recalling the famous 1950s luxury express train from Leeds to London, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway is operating a "Yorkshire Pullman" to celebrate all things Yorkshire, and has lined up a feast of some of the finest products to come from the White Rose county.

First off, the Railway has teamed up with lifestyle magazine, "Yorkshire Life'" to offer its readers the chance to experience a four-course food extravaganza on board ‘Yorkshire's answer to the Orient Express.'  Seats were snapped up within a matter of days.

On arrival at Grosmont station, where the train starts, guests will be presented with white rose buttonholes, and treated to the first release of Yorkshire Wines from Ryedale Vineyards at Westow - a "Wolds View" white wine and a "Yorkshire Sunset" rose', both of which are fruity, rounded and dry and produced by winemakers Stuart Smith and Simon Day.

The on-board menu has been carefully crafted by two Executive Chefs, the Railway's own Janet Holt, together with Rob Green, recently crowned National Seafood Chef of the year and the chef/owner of award-winning Green's Restaurant of Whitby.  Rob's involvement helps to highlight the importance of the Whitby connection to the Railway.   For the past two years many services operated by the Moors Railway have been extended to Whitby, opening up a new market, as it gives unrivalled access to moors and coast.

With Rob's help, locally sourced food will be brought to the table, including  fresh grilled mackerel from Whitby, smoked trout from Pickering, and roast sirloin of beef from Glaisdale.     The guest cheese, "Fine Fettle" has been supplied by Judy Bell from Shepherd's Purse Cheeses Ltd of Northallerton.   

Ryedale's vintners, Tate Smith, are to provide the ‘slow motion gin'.  Yorkshire Tea will be served, thanks to support from Taylors of Harrogate and to help carry the ‘Heartbeat' theme through the day, ‘Greengrass' ale will be served, courtesy of the Daleside Brewery.

Former bobby and local author, Mike Pannett, will be a guest on the day, and will be available for book signings prior to the Pullman departure at 1.30pm.   Mike, who served for twenty years in the police and who became one of the highest commended officers, is a staunch supporter of the Moors Railway.  He recently launched his second book "You're coming with me lad" to great acclaim.    The spirit of Yorkshire is captured in all its glory as he writes about the communities, the characters and the incidents he had to deal with, making it an ideal summer read.    Tipped to become a best seller, "You're coming with me lad" has already been featured as the book of the week by BBC Radio 4 and is set to be serialised in the Daily Mail.   A page dedicated to the Moors Railway's £1 million ‘Bridge & Wheels' Appeal is also featured in the new book, thanks to publisher, Hodder & Stoughton.

The Railway's General Manager, Philip Benham, who said he was delighted to be joining up with so many partners and guests to celebrate the very best that Yorkshire has to offer, will also be available for book signings, following the publication of his work, "An Illustrated History of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway" last year.     

To add to the excitement and spectacle of the day, the Yorkshire Pullman will be hauled by Yorkshire's very own iconic steam engine, "Sir Nigel Gresley," which was built 1937 at the Doncaster works and which holds the post-war record for speed by a steam engine at 112 miles per hour.

"Sir Nigel", noted by its striking British Rail blue livery and streamlined design, has been beautifully restored by the owning group "The Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Preservation Trust."  It is one of only six A4 Pacific-class engines that remain in preservation across the world, two of which are now based in North America.   "Sir Nigel" is also scheduled to haul trains between Pickering and Grosmont on Sunday 2^nd August as part of the engine's summer programme on the Railway.

The train will also feature two Yorkshire-built historic carriages - the Great Northern Saloon, built in 1909 and this year celebrating its centenary year, together with the Ryedale Saloon - both of which are instantly noticeable in their teak livery and adorned with sumptuous upholstery.    These carriages are in private ownership, but operate on the Moors Railway with consent from their owner.

The Railway will also be hosting a Family Weekend on 1^st and 2^nd August, featuring a series of giant games along the route.

Commenting on the forthcoming event, Mr Benham said "Quite apart from the splendid spectacle of the Yorkshire Pullman train, there are plenty of other attractions for visitors in a weekend of fun and entertainment for all the family."

ENDS