Over 300,000 visitors flock to the Railway every year, with the majority coming via Pickering Station, and they will soon get the chance to learn much more about the historic site.

The funding, which came from the Heritage Lottery Fund, is a major boost to the historic railway’s development plans, which will return the Grade II listed station to its former glory.

The station roof will be built to the original design of its architect, G.T. Andrews. When completed, it will be the only example the public can see of a G.T. Andrews roof over a steam railway.

A visitor centre and learning centre will be situated behind Platform 2 and will include a classroom and an archive facility. In addition, a heritage signal box at the southern end of Platform 2 will be constructed based on original drawings, giving visitors the chance to try out heritage signalling apparatus.

“It has been several years in the making and all along, we have felt that the ‘Train of Thought’ project will enable us to widen the appeal of the Railway, by giving visitors more information and opportunities to understand and interpret the Railway and its environment,” said Murray Brown, Chairman of the North York Moors Historical Railway Trust. “This should appeal to groups including schools, as well as our family visitors.”