They are still quite a lot of steam trains around UK nowadays, a legacy from the old days, often kept alive by groups of passionate volunteers. They are popular with holiday makers particular with families with small children. I mean which child doesn't like riding on the trains? The North Bay Heritage Railway is one of these. The line is called heritage, because it dates back to 1931, over 90 years ago!! And I reckon it's even more popular with children because it's a miniature railway.
I'm not normally interested in these tourist railways, but on this particular afternoon, we needed a little break during our visit to Scarborough. When the staff said the ride lasted half an hour, runs along the seafront, and costed a little more than a cup of coffee, we were sold. Sometimes even adults need to indulge themselves and let their inner child come out. This was perfect.
The train was true to its name - miniature. Each carriage sat four people, two sitting face to face, and you can't stand up inside the carriage as it's quite low. There was a plastic shield in between carriages. Not sure if this is due to a social distance measure from Covid or whether part of the original decor.
The track is about one mile long, starting from Peasholm station, out along the north bay of Scarborough, hence the name North Bay Heritage Railway. It pulled slowly out from the station, and after a few minutes we were cruising along the seafront. I had already walked along the seafront earlier on during the day, but the view from an elevated level was very different. You get a magnificent view of the entire seafront.
It took less than 10 minutes to arrive at the other end, Scalby Mill.
It's a dead end here,ánd train fanatics will love this part, on how they turn the train around. The engine is detached, driven onto a turnatable which turns around. Then it is driven to the rear of the train and attached so the train can make its return journey. After a few moments, we ere ready to depart and return back to Peasholm station.
The train chugged slowly along the seafront again. This time I spent more time admiring the scenery, as on the outward journey I was more fascinated with the train ride itself. Yes, these trains does funny things to people, bringing out the inner child unexpectedly. Very soon, we had chugged back to Peasholm station and I was bought back to my grown up world again!