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Written by Nick Wise - 25 Jan 2005
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Location notes
Situated a few miles to the south west of Whitby the Pickering to Grosmont line covers about 18 miles through some spectacular scenery of the North Yorkshire Moors national park. 'The line is owned by the North York Moors Historical Railway Trust who have run the line as a living museum since 1974' There are many different types of locomotive hauled passenger working both steam and diesel. With the occasional photographic freight charter or permanent way train.
Railway type and traffic
The trains are mostly steam hauled, with occasional diesel turns and failure stand ins. There are numerous events and galas.
For more details see the North Yorkshire Moors Railway website.
Environment
Newtondale and Skelton Tower are rural locations - there are no problems with crime etc. and the only people you are likely to come across are walkers. The weather can vary between extremes (and sometimes seasons!) in very short periods of time, so warm / waterproof clothing is advisable.
Road directions
Skelton Tower is inaccessible by road - the nearest roads are at Levisham Station or at the Hole of Horcum car park on the A169 Whitby to Pickering road. Skelton Tower is about an hours walk from each location - an OS map is advisable for this.

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NYMR, Newtondale - Skelton Tower map co-ordinates
Parking
Car parking at Levisham (NYMR car park) and the Hole of Horcum on the A169.
Public transport
Take the NYMR to Levisham station and walk from there. To reach the NYMR, from the north, take the Middlesbrough - Whitby \'Esk Valley Line\' service to Grosmont. From the south, Pickering can be reached by buses from Malton / York.

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Amenities
The nearest amenities are on NYMR trains or at Levisham station, although the village of Levisham (not local to the station) has a pub.
Accommodation
Bed and Breakfasts / rented accommodation are readily available in Pickering (several advertise in the Classified Ads in the railway press).
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
NYMR, Newtondale - Skelton Tower

Googly map
Streetmap links
NYMR, Newtondale - Skelton Tower general view map
NYMR, Newtondale - Skelton Tower close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
NYMR, Newtondale - Skelton Tower



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Photographic notes
So why take the trouble to get to Skelton Tower? Well, this is one of the 'classic' NYMR shots, looking down into Newtondale.
Photos are of southbound shots (no obvious northbound views), with mid morning offering the best light (otherwise the side of the train goes into shadow). Not many sound effects for videographers (the locos are coasting at this point), but the train will be in shot for a few minutes, and the view is spectacular.


General views - All photographs © Nick Wise unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north west


Fig 1 - Looking north west


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