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Friends of the North Bay Railway

Scarborough North Yorkshire

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Railway History

Historical PictureThe North Bay Railway, situated in Scarborough's North Bay, commenced operation on Saturday the 23rd of May 1931 and has been running the same historic Hudswell Clarke locomotives and coaches since.

A total of 8, 20 and 21 inch gauge locomotives were built by Hudswell Clarke of Leeds, Neptune being the first locomotive, which operated the North Bay line for the first season, in which over 400,000 passengers were carried. Joined by Triton a year later, the line has continued running every year since, with exception during the Second World War.

In 2006, the line was leased to the North Bay Railway Company Ltd from the Scarborough Council for the winter of 2006, and on the 30th March 2007, the permanent operation of the line was handed over to the company from Scarborough Borough Council.

Many improvements are now underway to the line. Since the change of operation, two other Hudswell Clarke locomotives, ‘Poseidon’ and ‘Robin Hood’ were brought to the railway from their temporary home at Cleethorpes, having previously operated at the Great Woburn Railway, making the NBR home of the 4 oldest Hudswell Clarke locomotives of 20/21" gauge.

A new station building, with a shop, ticket office and waiting room, as well as a bistro/cafe bar named ‘The Glass House’ opened at Peasholm Park Station in May 2008. Also the shed which houses the locomotives and workshop facilities has been extended.

At Scalby Mills, there are plans in place to build a new coach shed, cafe and a museum dedicated to the railways history.

Also now well established is 'The Friends of the North Bay Railway' group, and new members are always welcome. If you would like to help run the railway please collect a membership form from the ticket office at Peasholm Park Station.
 
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