For the last few years, we have looked forward to, and very much enjoyed our day on the railway! By tradition, we go up to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway sometime between Christmas and New year with as many of Nathan’s family that are able to, and have a lovely steam train adventure in North Yorkshire!
I love to see everyone, catch up and laugh, and generally just chill out on the steam trains, and see the kids loving this ordinary and yet special moment that comes around each year.
This year we went on New years day. It was a challenge to get to Grandma’s for 9am (especially when we slept in til 8.30!), but like always, we needed to catch the mini coach that had been hired to get us there for the 11am train from Pickering up to Grosmont. And so like a scene from Home Alone, we dashed too and fro to get out the door and on the bus, with all the kids… and with a quick head count we were off!
Just so you know, having 11 kids, a handful of in laws and (at the moment) 12 grand-kids; a mini coach is the only way to travel en mass for a family day out in the Smith Family!
The Railway was quiet on the way up, and the kids not too crazy. The hills were scattered in patches of snow and the sun shone brightly. It was the perfect day to have gone, and as we trudged up the track we gazed out of the windows and chatted back and forth to one another about the lovely Christmas we had enjoyed, things we want to change and improve on and plans for the coming year.
We did our usual walk around Grosmont…exploring the quaint little station, cute shops, and walking through the long tunnel to the engine sheds. All before hopping aboard the steam train and heading back to Pickering! It was a fantastic day with everyone and each other, and a great start to our year!
Nathan’s dad was a great lover of the railway, as Ethan kept reminding us of, and so it is always sad to not have him there enjoying his favourite moments with us and his eager GrandKids! It is however always a special moment just to be together making memories, and having the opportunity to have him at the forefront of out minds and in conversation whilst we explore a place rich in his memory.
I love to see the rolling Yorkshire hills, be with family and enjoy North Yorkshire from the steam railway! Our day on the Railway is an ordinary moment we all look forward to and love… so much so, that this year we hope to take the kids again and head to Whitby on it, because it is THAT great!
Going on the steam train was one of my favourite childhood memories, and we took my family on it on Christmas Eve. It was so special to see the look of delight on my son’s face – he loved every minute! I love the look of this one – the shot of it coming into the station is magical. It looks like you all had a wonderful day out – I hope you do manage to get on it again this year!
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This sounds really magical – what a lovely experience! x
This looks so cool and you know I have never took the girls but know they would love it so I definitely have to look into this near us, such magical photos #TheOrdinaryMoments
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Laura you should totally take them – the kids LOVE it! Thank you for your lovely comments x
Ah steam trains are wonderful things. We certainly loved our ride in Windermere. #ordinarymoments
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Ive been wanting to go to the Lake district and Windermere for ages – its such a lovely part of the country x
This is such a wonderful tradition and I really love – and envy – how close your extended family are. Our two love a day on the railway so I can just imagine what a great day this was x
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It was a great day – you should come to the North and hang with us haha x
Oh I’ve not been on that railway for years. I took Ben from Whitby to Goathland when he was a couple of years old – such a lovely experience. I love Pickering too – such a cute little town.
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Oh I am so glad. I really want to do the whitby run – looks lovely! x
Nothing like a ride on a steam train. Such a delight. My dad loves a ride like this, thanks for the info.
Cheers Sharon…
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