North Yorkshire Moors Railway General Discussion

How would the passengers know? The roster generally only gets uploaded about 8:30am. At that point they are either at the railway or on the way there. I doubt they would decide not to travel.

 

It certainly is, but also includes Whitby.

SVR used to do (in the 2010s) KR-HL/BH & BH-BY/KR returns which were day rovers so those returns tickets did not exist in practice.

 

I’ve been in the queue and seen family groups about turn when they’ve realised a diesel is working. And if I saw that Tripadvisor post, and steam mattered, I’d go elsewhere.

NYMR used to offer a lower price whole line return to Grosmont only, which served as a rover. Removing it just magnifies the sense of a price rise.

 

It seems worth specifically quoting the last sentence of that review:

 

I’ve just taken a look at Trip Advisor reviews for 2025.

On a quick scan there’s around 10 posts, of which six are 1/5.

Of the others, one is a 5 for SNG , one is dreadful but a 5 too, and the one quoted above managed a 3!

Also notable was the lack of any responses from the NYMR over the last month, unlike previously (incidentally these make interesting reading too).

 

Well, the Jube has made it to Whitby. Bit annoying that the website doesn't actually make clear what services it's actually on, unless I'm missing it.

 

They make for grim reading - particularly about experiences from half term. And notably, as well as a lot of complaints about delays, lack of advertised steam is also a major issue.

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Sems to be missing from theNYMR website but it has bee posted on Facebook.

 

Those comments do indeed make grim reading, but probably just what longer term supporters of the NYMR have come to expect from the new regime. Do they signify ignorance, complacency, or incompetence? Whichever is the case, it's not good!

 

Cheers, Steve

 

I tend to read sites like Tripadvisor and Trustpilot to see how many bad reviews there are and if they are the same sort of thing I have an issue with. (For example we seemed to do very well with our hot water tank that only lasted 10 years, lots seem to fail after 5). So at best these things are usually populated by unhappy folks. What it does not tell you is 3% are unhappy or 90%.
I have read Tripadvisor reviews of tours I have stewarded and do not even recognise what is written as being the same trip.
Social media can gain lots of traction over a small issue, as shown with the Stagecoach Buses cashless trial in Kent.

 

With ‘attractions’ and accommodation etc, whilst I’ll look at the headline figure (NYMR 4.4/5 currently) I’ll pay closer attention to their reviews over the last few months, as changes in management etc can make a significant difference ……

 

Personally I think the idea of steam as a premium priced attraction on a heritage railway is crackers at the present time. That’s the base expectation and it is unlikely that will change rapidly. If you have to run diesels then make sure you make that clear in advance so far as possible. People understand the occasional substitute when it should have been steam, but not time and again.

The communications are off beat versus what is being produced and what is being produced looks more and more like “what is convenient” rather than what will delight the customers.

I have this uncomfortable feeling that we are witnessing a situation where some people at the NYMR are telling themselves they are doing their best and therefore that’s the best that can be done. Not sure they’re right.

 

Scroll down, though it does take some finding under 'What's on' No. 45596 Bahamas Visit | North Yorkshire Moors Railway - NYMR

Not sure why she's not running on the 9th....

 

The trip advisor pages make for some worrying reading

Consistent themes seem to be;
- lack of steam heating
- trains not being run/on time/diesel when advertised as steam.

Hope the NYMR manage to have a good peak season.

Chris

 

The first page on Tripadvisor is pretty brutal (and who goes back further than that?) The key messages I took were cold, dirty, late, expensive, not what was advertised (a steam trip) …

Can the diesels heat the carriages? If not, putting them out early in the year in North Yorkshire is surely somewhat brave?

Tom

 

Visited today. Travelled on the 9.20 Pickering-Whitby (37 +31), 12.35 Whitby-Grosmont (31), 13.25 Grosmont-Whitby (45596), 14.10 Whitby-Pickering (45596), 16.15 Pickering-Goathland (45596), and finally the 17.05 Goathland-Pickering (80136).
The forecast sun didn't come north of Levisham and the 9.20 was rather chilly. A few grumbles about the lack of heating and the use of diesel. Not the busiest 9.20, I was able to have a table of 4 to myself Pickering to Goathland and Grosmont to Whitby.
Bahamas was in fine form and dealt with the gradients with ease. The 14.10 was busy and I chatted with a few other passengers. More grumbles about the use of diesel earlier and the lack of heating and also about the price.

 

I don't think so, the 37 and 31 weren't earlier today. Needed with a cold overcast Whitby.