~More of the North Yorkshire Railway~
15th July 2012
After yesterday's great introduction to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, could I match it with a another look at the area? The only problem was in deciding where to start and where to walk.
Levisham Railway Station
Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk....
Willow Garth Caravan Park
A last look, for now, at Willow Garth Caravan Park, Great Barugh. After an evening deluge on Saturday, the clouds have moved on and a bright sunny day is a distinct possibility. I've decided to nip into Pickering to watch the 09:00 train.
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HSBC Bank, Pickering |
Pix in Pickering |
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Railway Plaque |
Russell's Cafe in Pickering |
Well maybe I misread the timetable; the 09:00 does not exist on Sunday and the station cafe doesn't open until 09:30. So I had a walk around part of Pickering and was not alone, lots of folk with cameras were milling around. The area to the right of the bank would have carried the railway line to Malton, prior to closure in 1965, and a level crossing facilitated road traffic travelling past the bank and eastwards.. Russell's open early and serve breakfast.
Hole of Horcum
I settled for parking on Horcum Dyke at a National Park car park on the A169. My first view is of the amazing Hole of Horcum - a stunning geological feature that resembles a meteor impact crater. Best seen at close hand, rather than on a photograph.
Looking Into The Hole
Holcum Dyke runs along the edge of The Hole. The A169 takes motorists along Fylingdales Moor to Whitby.
Fylingdales Radar Station
My route took me in a SSW direction across Levisham Moor.
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Levisham Moor
A zig-zag at Seavy Pond takes me down to Levisham Bottoms. I had no idea that these moors were so attractive, wonderful walking territory.
Levisham Bottoms
The "Bottoms" path is the clear track in the heather / bracken. Lower down the hillside is Newton Dale and hidden in the trees is the NYMR.
Mixed Vegetation
I am heading for Skelton Tower and a commanding view of Newton Dale, just when I hear a familiar whistle and have to hurry to get in place for a photo.
No 80072 Heading North
The train is heading north for Grosmont. The valleys of Newton Dale and North Dale were apparently formed by glacial flooding, as oppose to glacial action. Meltwater from vast frozen lakes gouged out the valleys.
Newton Dale
Skelton Tower
Skelton Tower is a "folly" built in the C19th by the Reverand Robert Skelton. Time to continue on the walk, heading south for Levisham Station.
Levisham Station Road
This moorland road, leading to Levisham Railway Station, is popular with picnicers.
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Levisham Railway Station
Lots of folk, Classic Cars, a "Jive" Band; Bonhomie!
The Jive Band
Rock 'n Rolling from the tent.
Jive Express
Motorcyclists at Levisham
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Swallow Chicks |
Excitement Mounts |
The chicks live in the waiting room roof. The tourists can't wait for the next train, it's all a bit too much.
Southbound Train Arrives
Northbound Train Departs
Q6 No.63395 heads tender-first for Grosmont. Note how this engine has no "leading wheels". Leading wheels are small non-driving wheels on front axles usually seen on large locomotives and they aid the progress around curves - essential at high speeds. So the wheel configuration here is 0-8-0; no leading wheels / eight driving wheels / no trailing wheels. The Flying Scotsman, for example, has a 4-6-2 (Pacific) wheel configuration.
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Classic Cars at Levisham |
Sleeper Painter
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The Mini, just in view, is claimed to be the 12th off the production line and the oldest Mini on the roads. The painter is writing numbers on some of the sleepers. I could do that.
Traction Engine
Leaving Lewisham, I head for Newton Dale Halt on the Lewisham Trail. It's not the best part of the walk, mainly roadway (like this) and occasionally muddy woodland paths. This chap is running a steam-powered traction engine that he built himself. I couldn't do that!
Newton Dale Halt
I was a quite pleased that woud-be passengers were already here. I wasn't going to get on the next service and didn't want the driver to stop the train, thinking I was waiting to embark. This is a "request stop".
No.63995 "The Jive Express"
After the excitement of seeing another steam train, well the same train but with the engine facing the right way, it was off into the woods on the other side and a short, steep climb to Yewtree Scar.
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Grey Wagtail? |
Scary Monster |
The map shows a feature "Hudson's Cross", but I couldn't find it. The cliff edge on Yewdale Scar is dramatic and shows signs of recent rockfalls. Take Care!
Fractured Cliffs
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Huggitt's Scar |
Newton Dale Halt |
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Route Back |
Whinchat |
From Yewtree Scar, you can see Huggitt's Scar and just make out the railway line and halt. The route back is easy and the car park is just out of view next to the plantation.
Last Look
One final view of the walking territory before climbing up to Horcum Dyke and back to the car.
Walkers: Just Me.
Time taken: 5hrs 20mins, distance approx 9 miles, according to my feet.
Route: Horcum Dyke, Levisham Moor, Levisham Bottoms, Skelton Tower, Levisham Station, Newton Dale Station, Yewtree Scar, back over the moorland to Horcum Dyke. £2 to park all day.
Weather and Conditions: Sunny and quite warm.
Richard's Refreshment Review: Levisham Station offers a good range of drinks and snacks, all seating is outside. On the day, there was a beer tent, but this will not always be the case. There were no other cafes or pubs on this route.
All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2012 ©
Take me back to the start ....