The North Yorkshire Moors early birds
By: Web Editor
YOUR 60 Years of Preservation article has been fascinating reading; but due to the subject covering so many preserved railways and societies, it is inevitable some errors may creep in.
Carrying four red headlamps, NELPG's NER P3 No 2392 pilots Lambton 0-6-2T No 29 with the official opening train conveying HRH The Duchess of Kent and guests approaching Eller Beck on the journey from Grosmont to Pickering on 1 May 1973 MAURICE BURNS
However, it is important, I believe, that history is recorded correctly and I would like to point out an error in your issue 138 on the date of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway's first public train.
This did not occur on 1 May 1973 as implied. The first public train actually occurred on Easter Sunday 22 April 1973. There were no speeches, special headboards, flags or banners; but the crew of driver Chris Cubitt and myself as fireman as we departed Grosmont on NELPG's P3 No 2392, knew the historical significance of the day. The 'official opening' occurred on Tuesday 1 May 1973 and this was attended throughout by HRH the Duchess of Kent, who unveiled many plaques along the route from Whitby to Pickering. The train with royal train head code was hauled by Lambton 0-6-2T No 29 and P3 0-6-0 No 2392, with Inspector Jim Brodie in charge, and the crews of driver Norman Ash and fireman John Whitbread on No 29 and driver Chris Cubitt and fireman Terry Newman on No 2392.
The day was a huge success and the accompanying pictures show the official opening train that occurred nine days after the first public train.
Maurice Burns
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