Filmmaker and railway enthusiast Chris Lawson captures an important moment in one of the country's oldest heritage railways, as it is officially opened for passenger services, on the 1st May 1973. The film opens with a steam engine approaching the camera through a cutting just outside Goathland station(?). The film then moves a bright sunny day as a steam engine comes through Grosmont station. A double header (two engines pulling) pulls a train, the first engine is a J27 Worsdell W...

Filmmaker and railway enthusiast Chris Lawson captures an important moment in one of the country's oldest heritage railways, as it is officially opened for passenger services, on the 1st May 1973. The film opens with a steam engine approaching the camera through a cutting just outside Goathland station(?). The film then moves a bright sunny day as a steam engine comes through Grosmont station. A double header (two engines pulling) pulls a train, the first engine is a J27 Worsdell W 0-6-0 an engine preserved by the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, the second a smaller tank engine. The film cuts to the level crossing at Grosmont. Bunting and flags fly high above the crossing. A police outrider rides past followed by an official car flying the royal pendant(?) and carrying the Duchess of Kent. The entourage walks along Grosmont station platform. The Duchess  unveils a commemorative plaque on one of the platform buildings. This will be the official opening of the NYMR which took place on 1st May 1973. The film cuts to a view across to a hillside and a raised signal in the foreground.  A man works on the engine of a car. The camera pans right showing railway enthusiasts waiting for the next photo opportunity. More hahazard views of the car and mechanic follow. A long distance view of a steam train follows,  travelling along an embankment in open countryside. This again is the double header train seen earlier. The film ends on another long view this time a steam train coming through Newtondale(?), pulled by the same twin locmotives as before.